The serious gamer will always use computers, not mobile devices or laptops. A personal computer is really easy to upgrade. When you need more technology, you can simply add it. However, what tech should you focus on when you want to upgrade? This is where many make a bad choice.
Unfortunately, so many gamers simply end up buying a completely brand new computer. This is a waste of money. Some simply upgrades might be all that is needed to enjoy that new game at a higher resolution.
Gaming PC upgrades can quickly become confusing and you can end up spending a lot when you do not know exactly what to choose. This is why you should seriously consider the upgrades presented below.
Upgrade Graphics Card Or Add An Extra One
If you do not have a new graphics card, one that is perfect for the latest games, it is impossible to fully enjoy games. The graphics card renders smooth movements, graphical intensity, increases frame rate and offers hi-res graphics.
The best video card for gaming is one that has a minimum of 2 to 4 GB of dedicated RAM memory, with a constant 60 fps delivery in order to completely avoid lag.
Unfortunately, the best new GPUs out there are more expensive than they should be because of the possibility of using them to mine cryptocurrency. Prices will not go down much. However, if you are patient, you will find good ones at affordable prices.
Upgrade The Processor
Many gamers will tell you that the processor is the brain of the computer and the GPU is its heart. The CPU influences the efficiency of the gaming computer’s other components, like RAM or graphics card.
The standard minimum for a gamer is four cores CPUs. If you are to upgrade though, switching to an i7 is the best thing that you can do, although i9s are also available. The problem with i9 CPUs is they are very expensive. You might want to wait until they become more common.
Upgrade RAM Or Add Extra RAM
For most great games, the minimum requirement is 4 GB of RAM. However, if you are a gamer, you should see 8 GB as a bare minimum. Even so, games can end up stuttering. Always try to add as much RAM as possible. This is a great way to increase gaming PC speed. See what the motherboard can handle and the type of RAM that has to be added. Then, add up to a minimum of 16 GB of RAM. This is enough for multi-tasking, gaming and livestreaming. If you can afford it and you want to be completely future-proof, go for 32 GB of RAM.
Upgrade The Hard Drive To SSD
When you still use an old hard drive, it is a good idea to make the switch to SSD since loading and startup times will drastically increase. Also, you have less heat buildup since the SSD does not use much power. The personal computer needs SSD for gaming.
It has to be added that solid state drives have a longer life span. Prices are also lower than they used to be. The only problem is that when the OS or the main drive still relies on HDD, bottleneck can appear. Cloning the primary HDD to the SSD might be a good solution to this problem.
Upgrade The Cooling System
When you upgrade your graphics card and the CPU to something that is highly powerful, the system can end up becoming really hot as you play your games. This is why you need adequate cooling so that the parts do not get damaged. Fans that are normally installed in computers as you buy them are not that great. A CPU fan is highly recommended and you can always install a quality liquid cooling system in the event that you can afford it.
Extra Tip: Minimize heating by not overclocking computers. While this is definitely attractive for many gamers, it is much better to upgrade the hardware so you do not rely on overclocking. In the event that you do want to overclock, you need enough cooling so that heat is regulated.
Final Thoughts
Upgrading your gaming PC is something you will surely do. The hardware mentioned above should always be your priority. However, be sure that you do the math. Sometimes it might be better to just buy a new gaming system as it would be cheaper than upgrading many different components. Also, be sure you factor in others you might need, like a PC gaming desk.
