If your computer feels like it’s just not up to the tasks that you’re giving it anymore, there are two blanket improvements you can make that will help almost any computer operate faster: speeding up the internet connection or speeding up the processor speed of the computer itself. Regardless of what you use your computer for, these will improve your experience. Here are some suggestions on what to look for in these improvements.

Let’s not joke around: most of us want the fastest internet possible for our computers. For the majority of America, a broadband connection is the answer. Broadband is very fast, and there are usually different speeds available. The fastest broadband speeds would require a lot of computers doing a lot of transmitting to slow it down.

If you’re part of the lucky 10% of Americans, however, you may have access to Verizon’s FiOS system. FiOS is a fiber optic system that leaves broadband in its dust. The problem is that it’s extremely expensive to set up, since they need to bury a lot of fiber optics cables through the city. Although it’s very popular in the areas it’s offered, expansion to other cities has so far been slow.

As for processor speed, the sky is really the limit here. Here’s a question: what is the fastest computer in the world? It’s the Jaguar supercomputer owned by the Department of Energy in Tennessee. But take note: the Jaguar uses the exact same technology and parts that our desktop computers have. So it’s not a question of what technology, processor, and memory to use – it’s just a question of how much you want in your computer. The more you add, the faster it goes. You wallet is the only thing slowing you down.

Despite your tasks for your computer, an improvement in internet speed and processor speed will more likely than not make it run much smoother. These improvements are rarely a waste of money.