Computer Upgrade Costs Sydney: 2026 Pricing Guide
Computer upgrade costs depend on which parts you need and whether you install yourself or hire professionals. Understanding typical Sydney pricing helps you budget for speed improvements and compare quotes from different providers.
SSD upgrade pricing
250GB SSDs with installation run $180-$250. Common 500GB capacity costs $220-$320 installed. Popular 1TB drives total $280-$400 including cloning your existing data and testing. High-speed NVMe models add $50-$100 to these ranges. Prices include drive, installation, data migration, and verification.
RAM upgrade costs
8GB RAM addition typically costs $120-$180 with installation. Upgrading to 16GB total runs $150-$250. Going to 32GB for heavy workloads costs $280-$400. Desktop RAM costs less than laptop RAM. DDR4 is cheaper than newer DDR5. Pricing includes compatibility checking, installation, and testing.
Graphics card upgrades
Budget gaming cards start at $300-$450 installed. Mid-range options for 1080p gaming run $500-$800. High-end cards for 4K or professional work cost $900-$1500 including installation. Power supply upgrades add $150-$250 if needed to support the new card.
What affects pricing
- Desktop versus laptop components with laptop parts costing more
- Component generation and specifications
- Brand selection from budget to premium
- Capacity or speed tier choices
- Installation complexity and time required
- Data backup and migration services included
- Same-day versus standard turnaround
Getting accurate quotes
Smart approach
Know your computer make and model before calling. Describe what you use the computer for so technicians recommend appropriate upgrades. Ask if quotes include installation, backup, and testing. Check parts warranty length and coverage. Compare two or three quotes but watch for rock-bottom pricing that usually means cheap parts. Verify the quote covers any additional needs like power supply upgrades.
Sydney pricing examples
Real upgrade costs
A Newtown small business upgraded three office PCs with 500GB SSDs for $900 total. A Bondi gamer added 16GB RAM and a mid-range graphics card for $650 including power supply check. A student in Randwick upgraded laptop with 1TB SSD for $320 including migration. A Pyrmont creative studio upgraded workstation with 32GB RAM and NVMe SSD for $520. A Chatswood family refreshed home PC with SSD and RAM boost for $380.
FAQs
Q1: Is DIY installation cheaper?
DIY saves installation fees but carries risks of compatibility errors, static damage, and voided warranties. Professional installation adds $80-$150 but includes testing, backup protection, and warranty coverage on labour and parts.
Q2: Do upgrade costs include data backup?
Reputable providers include basic backup as part of SSD installation. RAM and graphics upgrades do not usually need backup but good shops verify data integrity before and after work. Always ask what backup protection is included.
Q3: Can I upgrade in stages to spread costs?
Yes. Start with SSD for biggest immediate impact, add RAM later if still needed. Graphics upgrades can wait until budget allows. Staged upgrades let you assess value at each step before spending more.
Get clear upgrade pricing
Computer upgrades in Sydney typically cost $150-$600 depending on components selected. Professional installation includes compatibility checking, backup protection, proper configuration, and testing. Same-day service available for most upgrades across CBD, Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, and North Shore. Service: Computer Upgrades & Hardware Installation