If your gaming PC unit is starting to show signs of running slow such as lagging, long loading times, or screen tearing, it might be time for an upgrade. But first, you must determine which hardware needs to be upgraded. This process may take a lot of time, but to make things easier, follow this guide to ensure you get the most out of your new hardware.
1 – Add more RAM.
If you’re experiencing slow loading times when browsing web pages, live streaming, or switching between tabs and applications, you might have to increase or replace your RAM or System Memory. The RAM stores the data of the software and apps currently being used. For example, most game textures and maps are stored in the RAM when playing games.
Most pre-built gaming PCs have slots that allow you to add more RAM modules. If there isn’t any room in the motherboard to add more memory modules, you can replace its existing RAM memory with larger-capacity RAM modules.
Before anything else, ensure that your RAM modules are compatible with your motherboard and other hardware components. You can use scanner tools to know which memory modules are compatible to run with your system.
Here’s a complete guide on how to upgrade the RAM in your gaming PC.
2 – Upgrade graphics card.
On the other hand, if your gaming PC is having trouble with lags, freezing graphics, and screen tearing, that’s a sign you should upgrade your graphics card. Even if the rest of your gaming PC is running well, upgrading your graphics card can significantly improve your gaming experience.
Currently, the top two manufacturers of graphics cards in the market are NVIDIA and AMD. NVIDIA offers GeForce graphics cards, while AMD has the Radeon series. Intel also has its own graphics card, but they are usually built in with its processors or CPUs.
When upgrading your graphics card, you should also ensure that it is compatible with your motherboard and processor. You can check your hardware specifications to know which graphics cards are compatible with your system.
To upgrade your graphics card, you can check our complete guide here.
3 – Upgrade the CPU.
The CPU in your unit is responsible for sending instructions to all other hardware components to run your system. Upgrading the CPU can significantly improve the performance and efficiency of your gaming PC. However, you must ensure that the motherboard and RAM are compatible with your new processor. If it is, then you will need to replace everything simultaneously.
To check if your gaming PC needs a processor upgrade, you can check third-party tools that can run a test on the processing power of your unit. These tests will show you if your CPU is underpowered. And if it is, you might want to upgrade your processor or get a new gaming PC.
Here’s how to install a new CPU or processor on your gaming PC.
4 – Add more storage.
Go to your PC and check if your current storage drive is nearly full. If it shows a red bar instead of a green one, your hard disk’s storage capacity is already full. This will cause your system to run slow, and you will begin experiencing hangs and freezing. If you’re experiencing these issues, you need to upgrade your memory disk drive.
If your gaming PC still uses a traditional hard drive (HDD), you might want to upgrade it to a solid-state drive (SSD). Compared to HDDs, SSDs can boot up faster and are more reliable as well as durable than HDDs. SSDs also run at a higher speed and can improve the efficiency of your gaming PC.
If you still wish to use a hard drive in your system, you can choose a unit with a higher storage capacity. Look for a faster drive model with more storage to improve your system performance.
Here’s a quick and simple guide to help you choose between HDD and SSD for your gaming PC’s storage device.
5 – Buy new peripherals.
Aside from the hardware components inside your chassis, you might want to consider upgrading its peripherals. Buying new peripherals for your unit can boost its performance and improve your gaming experience.
If you’re using an old monitor, you might want to buy a new one with better visibility and more protection for your eyesight.
And when it comes to gaming, instead of using the standard keyboard and mouse. You can try buying and using a gaming keyboard and mouse, which can make a big difference in your gameplay. These devices enhance the gaming experience by offering better speed and responsiveness.
***
Do you want to read more tips on improving your gaming PC and gameplay experience? Follow and bookmark our blog at CyberPowerPC.com.