How to Upgrade a Gaming PC
- Identify What Needs to Be Upgraded
- Upgrading computer components
- Conclusions
- Upgrading HYPERPC Computers
If your computer is experiencing issues or you're unsatisfied with its gaming performance, buying a new system isn't always necessary. You can simply consider upgrading a computer. Today, we'll show you how to do that.
Identify What Needs to Be Upgraded
First and foremost, you need to determine which component of your PC should be upgraded. In other words, identify what the "bottleneck" is in your games. Otherwise, your efforts to upgrade PC will be in vain.
Install any monitoring software, like MSI Afterburner. Configure it and monitor the sensor readings during gameplay:
- If the GPU is loaded at 90-99% and FPS is low, you need to consider a gaming PC upgrade with a better graphics card.
- If CPU cores are loaded at 70-100% and FPS is low, you need to look into upgrading a PC with a new processor.
- If CPU and GPU temperatures are close to critical, you need to upgrade the cooling system.
- If you experience stuttering, freezing, or lag in games, you need to add more RAM.
- If games take a long time to load and the PC is slow, you need to consider upgrading a computer's storage.
Upgrading computer components
Upgrading the Graphics Card
When replacing the graphics card, consider the following: • The maximum length supported by your case. • The version of the PCI-E slot on your motherboard.
You can find out the maximum supported length of the graphics card in the specifications of your case. Simply search for your case model online and check the manufacturer's website or any online store.
If you have an older motherboard, it likely has a PCI-E 3.0 or 2.0 slot. Modern graphics cards will work on these motherboards, but their performance might be reduced. So, consider whether you should also upgrade the processor and motherboard along with the graphics card.
Upgrading the Processor
When replacing the processor, check the socket type on your motherboard. For example, if your motherboard has an LGA 1700 socket, then you need to choose a processor with the same socket. If you're planning to upgrade to a CPU with a different socket, you'll need to replace the motherboard as well.
Upgrading the Cooling System
Before upgrading your cooling system, clean your PC from dust and replace the thermal paste and pads. This usually helps lower the temperatures of the components. However, if servicing the system unit doesn't help, add case fans for intake and exhaust airflow. Check the specifications of your case to see what sizes of fans it supports.
Switching from air cooling to liquid cooling is recommended if you plan to upgrade to a very hot processor, such as the Intel Core i9-14900K or AMD Ryzen 9 7950X.
Upgrading the RAM
If your motherboard has additional slots for RAM, just add more modules. Ideally, install identical RAM modules, but if that's not possible, match the type, frequency, and timings. The new RAM kit should have the same specifications as the old one.
If your motherboard doesn’t have additional slots, don’t worry. Sell your old RAM and buy a new kit with a larger capacity. When purchasing, ensure the memory type matches your old modules.
Upgrading the Storage
If your computer doesn’t have a solid-state drive (SSD), you should definitely install one. Before buying, check which SSDs are supported by your motherboard. You can easily find this information in the motherboard's specifications. Install Windows, games, and applications only on the SSD.
Conclusions
To upgrade PC, you should:
- Replace the graphics card.
- Replace the processor and motherboard.
- Install more RAM modules.
- Service your PC and add fans for intake and exhaust airflow.
- Install an SSD and load Windows, games, and applications only on it.
Upgrading HYPERPC Computers
HYPERPC computers are built with future upgrades in mind. For instance, we install two RAM modules instead of four so that you can always add more RAM. We also leave some SSD slots free, so you can easily install a new SSD if you want to expand your storage. Additionally, our motherboards feature the latest connection interfaces to ensure that next-generation components can operate without performance degradation.
When you purchase a HYPERPC, you can be confident that in the future, you’ll be able to perform computer upgrades without any hassle.