I bought a used PC that currently has no dedicated graphics card, and my budget is only about €150. I can buy used hardware, but I'm hoping to find a processor with strong integrated graphics so I can play games without purchasing a separate GPU right away. I don't know the exact CPU or motherboard model yet, so I'm also unsure what processors would be compatible. What information should I check, and would a used graphics card be a better upgrade?
3 Answers
The fact that the PC was built around 2016 doesn’t necessarily mean the CPU is too old to use. Please identify the exact processor or motherboard first; depending on the platform, upgrading the CPU could be worthwhile, but on some systems the best option may simply be adding a compatible used graphics card.
A used dedicated graphics card will usually provide much better gaming performance than even a relatively strong integrated GPU. If the existing processor is usable, spending the budget on a second-hand entry-level GPU may be the biggest upgrade and is less likely to require replacing the motherboard.
Before choosing a processor, find out the current CPU, motherboard model, and socket. CPUs aren’t universally compatible, and a chip such as a Ryzen 5 5600G would not work in an unrelated Intel socket or an older AMD board. The motherboard may also need a BIOS update.
I’ll check the CPU and motherboard model before buying anything. I hadn’t realized the socket and platform would limit the processor options so much.