How do I find out what PC parts I should upgrade?

Before proceeding with any upgrade, it's essential to determine compatibility with your current PC setup. Research the specifications of your motherboard, such as the socket type, random-access memory (RAM) compatibility, available expansion slots, and power supply requirements .

Is it worth upgrading my gaming PC?

Some reasons it's better to start from scratch For gamers, it's often that your PC slowly makes it impossible for you to play AAA titles at decent settings. If upgrading your PC would cost you half the cost of a new one or more to fix these issues, buying becomes a more viable solution .

What is the easiest upgrade to a PC?

Add More, And Faster RAM The easiest and most powerful upgrade to any computer is to memory. RAM is the space where high-speed storage is accessed by your processor for actual work. Sure, your SSD may be fast, but nowhere near RAM speeds (but it is catching up, and fast).

What's the first thing to upgrade on a PC?

In the task manager, switch to the Performance tab and then to Memory. There you can read the percentage utilization of the installed RAM. If the value is 90 percent or higher, you should definitely consider upgrading the RAM. Even for an office PC, we recommend at least 8GB RAM nowadays, better 16GB.

Why is my PC so bad for gaming?

This can be caused by poor design (too small a heat sink, or poor ventilation), by poor placement (a PC in a stereo cabinet may not get enough fresh air), or by dust accumulating on the vents, fans, and heat sinks .

What is a good FPS for gaming?

What should my FPS be for optimal performance? In general, most gamers recommend aiming for at least 60 FPS for smooth gameplay experience. However, this depends on the type of game you're playing some genres require more intensive graphics than others and thus require higher frame rates to function properly.

What is bottlenecking my PC?

A PC bottleneck is when your main components (central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), Video card) can't work together quickly enough to keep up with the demands of your computer . This can cause lag or slowdowns when using programs or playing games.

Will PC prices drop in 2024?

Not to mention there's a worldwide chip shortage going on around that affects most PC components – or was, depending on who you talk to. If you factor in taxes, shipping fees, and rising production costs, it's clear that PCs are getting more expensive by the year. 2024 won't be the year that breaks this trend .

Is upgrading a PC easy?

Can I upgrade my computer? The easiest way to upgrade your computer is upgrading the memory and storage drives . Other updates are a little more complicated and have more dependencies. However, it is generally possible to update the processor (CPU), video cards, fans, and even the motherboard of your computer.

Can you upgrade CPU on gaming PC?

Once you have the best chip in hand and the best gaming motherboard for the job, it's time to get to work preparing your rig. Thankfully, upgrading CPUs is incredibly simple and relatively quick depending on your setup .

Can I upgrade my existing PC?

Can I upgrade my computer? The easiest way to upgrade your computer is upgrading the memory and storage drives . Other updates are a little more complicated and have more dependencies. However, it is generally possible to update the processor (CPU), video cards, fans, and even the motherboard of your computer.

How to Upgrade a Gaming PC (2024)

Upgrades to get the most out of your gaming PC

If your gaming computer is running slowly, has long load times, shows screen tearing, lag, or other warning signs, your hardware’s likely to blame.

If it's been a while since you bought a new computer or upgraded the components, it might be time to take a look at what's available now and what could improve your gaming experience.

How long does a gaming PC last?

If you haven’t upgraded any of your gaming PC’s hardware or components, it should last for two to four years. After that, you’ll likely start to see a significant drop in performance. Why? One reason is that newer games demand more graphics, memory, and storage, making it harder for older hardware to run them.

Follow these steps for the best gaming PC upgrades to get the most out of your hardware:

Step 1: Install more RAM

The first gaming PC upgrade to consider is increasing or replacing your computer memory (RAM). RAM temporarily holds data that is currently being used by computer applications, with games using it to store textures and maps

Most factory-built computers have slots to add more memory modules. If there isn’t room for more modules, you can replace existing memory with larger-capacity modules.

Step 2: Increase your storage

If your current storage drive is full or you're experiencing freezing or hangups, then it's time to get a faster one with more capacity. And if you're still using a hard disk drive (HDD), this is the perfect time to move up to a solid state drive (SSD).

SSDs start up faster and are more reliable and durable than HDDs. When comparing SSDs to HDDs for gaming, SSDs also run at a higher transfer speed, allowing the whole system to runmore. You’ll be pleased to know that installing an SSD is simple and can be completed with just a few steps.

TheCrucial® System SelectororSystem Scannercan tell you which SSDs are compatible with your computer.

Step 3: Upgrade your graphics card

If you're having trouble with lag, freezing graphics, or screen tearing, consider upgrading your graphics card.

Unless a computer is built specifically for gaming, manufacturers will frequently install a low-end graphics card. If the rest of your computer is functioning well, a graphics card upgrade can really improve your gaming experience.

Step 4: Improve your processor

Although upgrading your processor (CPU) can improve the efficiency of your computer, it can be quite involved.

You need to make sure that your motherboard and memory are compatible with the new processor, or you will need to replace everything at the same time. Also, check that your current cooling system will accommodate the upgraded CPU.

To determine if a processor upgrade will help your computer, there are a variety of third-party benchmark tests you can run. If these report that your CPU is underpowered, it may be easier (and cheaper!) to get a completely new system instead.

Step 5: Boost your peripherals

Another way to give your gaming PC a boost is to upgrade your peripherals. If you’re using an older monitor, a new one can improve the graphic display of your favorite games.

A gaming mouse and keyboard can make a big difference in your play as well. If you’re using a standard mouse and keyboard, upgrading to gaming-specific tools can enhance your play.

It’s not hard to upgrade some of your computer hardware, and it can make a big difference in the speed and responsiveness of your system.

If you’re looking for the best upgrades for your gaming PC, Crucial has a wide range of memory and SSDs to suit all needs. Take a look at our products section and upgrade your PC hardware with the memory and storage experts.