There reaches a time in every computer’s life when you should just give up and buy a new PC. But how do you know when that time has come? Today, we’re going to help you decide when to throw out that old broken PC and get a new one.

Have you tried installing PC repair/optimization software?

Before you pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a new computer, make sure that you have installed good PC repair software on it. A product like PC Cleaner Pro 2012 can be surprisingly effective at repairing your computer, and there is no easier way to squeeze extra performance out of an old PC.
How does software like this work? It optimizes your computer in a number of different ways. It can organize your memory, for example, or it could defragment your hard drive. While this won’t bring a PC back from the brink of death, it could reduce many slowdowns, error messages, and crashes.
It’s also important to install a good antivirus scanner. Often, a computer is performing poorly because it is infected with so many viruses and malware problems. This can leave the user feeling hopeless and frustrated, but in reality, salvation is only a few clicks away. By downloading good antivirus software, you may be able to save a computer from being permanently damaged by malware and inject new life into an old PC.

Have you tried upgrading your hardware?

If your PC is only a few (2 to 4) years old, then you may be able to upgrade your hardware in order to fix your problems. Something as simple as adding another stick of RAM, or getting a new video card, can make a world of difference to your PC.
For example, if you have recently installed a new operating system, or started using a new program, then your computer may not have the required system components in order to run that program. Check the manual to make sure your PC is up to the task, and make note of any areas that you need to improve.

Is your computer refusing to start up?

One of the worst things that can happen to a PC is the inability to boot up. This usually indicates a serious problem with one of your core components. If you’re good with computers, try removing all of the peripheral hardware components within your case – like your video card (provided your motherboard has some sort of onboard video card), network interface card, and any other unnecessary things that you have installed. Then, try restarting your system to see if that makes a difference.
Also be sure to check your power supply cords, outlet connections, and any other places where your computer parts connect with one another. You don’t want to spend money on a new PC when the problem is only related to your monitor.

When should I give up?

If you’ve tried all of the things listed above and are still unhappy with your computer’s performance, then it may be time to buy a new PC. There are only so many hardware and software upgrades you can make before you’re better off buying a new PC. With new desktop PCs available for only a few hundred dollars, you should never spend more money on repairs than it would cost to buy a completely new system. To make sure you’re not wasting your time, you may want to pay for a computer repair company to check out your PC, but not fully repair its problems.
Stay aware of the market for new PCs and try to understand the difference between fixable and unfixable errors. If you can do all of those things, then you should have no problem recognizing when you should give up and buy a new PC.