Gamers usually prefer to buy desktop computers rather than laptops because they can be upgraded. That way, when a part wears out or is no longer as good as it needs to be, it can be removed and replaced — graphics cards being a good example. Modern games require increasingly high specifications to create the right gaming experience. Making do with an old gaming PC just won’t cut it anymore.
That said, some PC upgrades offer more bang for your buck than others, so it’s worth knowing which ones to tackle first if you want to give your gaming experience a boost. Read on for a guide on upgrading a gaming PC for maximum benefit.
Graphics Card
The graphics card is the most important component for any serious gamer, and also the most expensive. If your gaming PC has a budget graphics card, you won’t get the best from the more modern games. A top gaming GPU like the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti will run graphics-heavy games like Overwatch with ease, which is important if gaming is your life.
While the best GPUs are expensive, you don’t need to blow your entire budget on a graphics card. Only replace your GPU with one that you actually need. Shop around for the best hardware deals and prices. Online retailers may offer better discounts.
RAM
Increasing the amount of RAM your PC has is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to boost the performance of your gaming rig. This is the best upgrade you can do for an older gaming PC since it will likely have a much lower amount of RAM compared to a brand-new model. The good news about upgrading RAM is that it is a simple task, and you don’t need any special skills or tools to do it.
Consider upgrading the RAM if your current setup has 8Gb or less. Increasing the RAM to 16Gb should yield very good results and you will see an immediate boost in gaming performance. It is also handy if you run other applications from your PC, for example, you like to stream your games online.
Always check whether the RAM you buy is compatible with your current memory. There are online tools that will help you do this.
HD
Upgrading the hard drive on a gaming PC is a worthwhile endeavor. Older drives get laggy and slow down as all available storage space is used up. You could wipe the drive and reinstall everything but that’s a massive pain. In addition, older spinning drives are slower and more prone to failing.
Most gamers prefer using solid state drives. An SSD offers many advantages, including much faster read and write speeds and quicker boot times. SSDs are more responsive and durable, plus they use less power. Overall, it is a win-win.
Upgrading to an SSD isn’t a hugely complex task and it can be done without any specialist knowledge. If your gaming PC is glitching a lot, it is worth swapping the old hard drive for a new SSD. You will notice the difference immediately.
Cooling System
Gaming PCs typically generate a lot of heat, which is why they have open mesh cases for maximum air circulation. An older PC will likely have an inefficient cooling system, so it is worthwhile upgrading to a better, more powerful one.
Liquid coolers are not hugely expensive but it’s an investment you’ll soon appreciate if you spend a lot of time gaming in a bedroom.
Finally, if you have some additional skills, consider upgrading your CPU and motherboard.
