To Upgrade or Not? GoldenRAM Offers a Twist on the Theme

Ready to toss your old PC in the trash and start anew? Not so fast. Chris Zomaya, CEO of GoldenRAM, has just made the upgrade process less painful and, for some of you, potentially lucrative. GoldenRAM has been in business for 18 years, manufacturing and selling computer upgrades mostly to resellers and OEMs. Now, thanks to a web-based tool called UpgradeDectect, GoldenRAM wants to make it trivial for any person to come to their web site and get their computer detected for "upgradeability." A one-click operation looks at your PC, analyzes over 300 pieces of data down to the chip level, and creates a full report, suggesting various upgrades and pricing. It knows about hundreds of models of popular PCs. More RAM, faster graphic cards, and bigger hard drives are the standard recommended fare, but you can also add DVD burners, TV tuners, and more. GoldenRAM reports they'll save you 30 to 40 percent over traditional resellers or manufacturers.

But that's not the half of it. GoldenRAM is also positioning itself as the Amway of the high tech world by offering its customers the chance to make money by selling GoldenRAM products. Their new Technology Advisor program, just rolling out now, allows you to run the Upgrade Detector on your web site and invite your clients to get "detected" and then buy from you. You'll be commissioned by the company. Catering to the local businesses, GoldenRAM hopes you'll offer your installation and tech know-how in addition to their goods. Zomaya says the average initial Technology Advisor is making $5,500 a month with this program.

The UpgradeDetect software is free on the company's web site. Zomaya's advice? If your PC is under five years old you have a good chance at a successful upgrade, and with RAM costing $70 for half a gig, it's still much less expensive than buying the cheapest new PC. Plus, it saves you a lot of work moving files from one PC to another.

What a novel way to get an expert to help you decide whether it's time to turn your PC into plant stand or give it a second life.