I'm trying to improve my small-form-factor PC without spending more than about $70. The system has an Intel i5-4590, 10GB of DDR3 RAM, Intel HD Graphics 4600, an SSD for the boot drive, and a hard drive for storage. It currently has a 255W power supply and can run games such as Fortnite, Peak, R.E.P.O., Rocket League, Fall Guys, Minecraft with mods, and other Steam titles. What upgrade would make the biggest difference without requiring a stronger power supply or putting extra financial pressure on my family?
4 Answers
The biggest improvement would come from a dedicated graphics card, but your 255W power supply and SFF case limit the choices. Look for a low-profile card that gets all its power from the PCIe slot, such as a GTX 1050 Ti or GTX 1650. Make sure the card physically fits and doesn’t require a six- or eight-pin power connector.
If you can’t find a suitable graphics card, replacing the hard drive with a SATA SSD would make the computer feel faster and reduce loading and texture-streaming delays. It won’t increase your frame rate much, but it’s a practical upgrade that avoids power and compatibility problems. More RAM could also help, although 10GB is adequate for many of the games listed.
If gaming performance is the priority, workstation cards like the Radeon Pro WX 4100 or Quadro K1200 may sometimes fit the budget and work with a low-power SFF setup. They aren’t ideal gaming cards, but they’re still a major upgrade over the integrated graphics. Check used-market prices and confirm the exact bracket and display outputs before buying.
A low-profile GTX 1050 Ti would probably be the safest target if you can find one used near your budget. It should be a huge jump over Intel HD 4600 while staying within the limits of a 255W system. Low-profile versions often cost more than standard cards, though, so prices may make a GTX 1650 difficult to fit into $70.
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