Strategies to amplify your computer's performance without breaking the bank
In the world of gaming, a little boost can make a big difference. Here are some affordable upgrades that can help improve your gaming experience without breaking the bank.
The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE air cooler, priced at $37 on Amazon, is a versatile and affordable option for cooling your mid-to-high-end CPU. If you're considering a CPU upgrade, spending between $100 to $200 can significantly enhance system performance, especially for games.
Upgrading from a traditional Hard Disk Drive (HDD) to a Solid State Drive (SSD) is another smart move. A better SSD can provide more storage for games, but a 2TB SSD might be insufficient for some gamers. The Lexar 2TBN NM790 NVMe SSD, available for $68, offers high read speeds and affordability in a 1TB size.
Cleaning up your PC is also essential. This can include uninstalling unused programs, disabling startup apps, clearing temporary files and cookies, installing an antivirus program, and updating all drivers. For a more substantial impact, consider upgrading your cooler or even investing in a 360mm Thermalright Frozen Notte AIO liquid cooler, available for $55.
If you're under 32GB of RAM, adding more can help your PC handle multitasking better and improve loading times and overall performance in games. RAM speed and generation matter, with DDR5 RAM being faster but more expensive and only compatible with certain motherboards. 16GB DDR4-3200 is generally optimal for budget gaming PC builds.
Upgrading the graphics card is perhaps the most impactful upgrade. Shopping the used market for GPUs around $200-$370, such as the RX 6600 or RX 9600XT, provides a solid graphics boost compared to low-end new GPUs. New budget GPUs like the RTX 5050 offer entry-level performance, but used GPUs often give more value for money.
For CPU upgrades, consider the Ryzen 5 5500 or Ryzen 5 5600. For discrete GPU upgrades, the Ryzen 5 9600X, priced around $156 used, paired with a separate CPU cooler, can provide improved gaming CPU performance.
Remember, it's crucial to check compatibility before purchasing air coolers or AIO liquid coolers. CPUs are impactful upgrades, but they are locked to specific motherboard sockets, limiting upgrade paths. Intel CPUs change sockets more frequently than AMD CPUs, with AMD's AM4 platform lasting for years.
Case fans can be added to improve cooling without a significant cost. A 650W Bronze-rated Power Supply Unit (PSU) provides sufficient headroom for mid-range GPU upgrades without needing a complete power upgrade.
Lastly, consider small form factor builds. They can be budget-friendly with used parts, but ensure motherboard/CPU/GPU selections fit your case.
In sum, prioritise upgrading your GPU (especially through used markets), ensure you have at least 16GB RAM, and switch to an SSD if not already present for affordable but impactful gaming performance gains. Consider upgrading your CPU if bottlenecks persist and power supply if upgrading to more demanding graphics cards. Optimising settings and cleaning the actual hardware regularly can also contribute to a smoother gaming experience.
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[2] PC Gamer. (2022). Best budget gaming PC 2022: the best budget gaming rigs you can buy right now. [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/best-budget-gaming-pc/, [Accessed 28 Mar. 2023].
[3] TechRadar. (2021). Best budget gaming PC 2021: the best budget gaming PCs for under $1,000. [online] Available at: https://www.techradar.com/best/best-budget-gaming-pc, [Accessed 28 Mar. 2023].
[4] PC Gamer. (2021). Best budget gaming PC 2021: the best budget gaming rigs you can buy right now. [online] Available at: https://www.pcgamer.com/best-budget-gaming-pc/, [Accessed 28 Mar. 2023].
In the realm of lifestyle, upgrading a budget gaming PC can greatly improve the home-and-garden environment, providing an enjoyable gaming experience. Such an upgrade may involve investing in gadgets like the Lexar 2TBN NM790 NVMe SSD for storage, or upgrading to a more powerful CPU like the Ryzen 5 5600. Enhancing technology, such as replacing traditional HDDs with SSDs or upgrading the graphics card can lead to significant performance improvements, especially when shopping the used market for GPUs like the RX 6600 or RX 9600XT. Technology advancements can also extend to data-and-cloud-computing aspects, such as optimizing settings and cleaning hardware regularly for a smoother gaming experience.
