I have a budget desktop that has been running games very slowly, and I'm trying to figure out whether the hardware is still decent. The system uses a Dell OptiPlex 3020 motherboard, an Intel Core i5-4590, a Radeon Pro WX 2100 with 2GB of VRAM, 12GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. Are there any worthwhile upgrades I can make, or would replacing the whole system be more practical?
3 Answers
There aren’t many meaningful upgrades available for that system. A used GTX 1650 could be a relatively inexpensive improvement and would make a noticeable difference, assuming your power supply and case support it. However, the older CPU would still limit performance in some games.
Those parts are quite old by current standards. The i5-4590 is from an older platform, and the Radeon Pro WX 2100 is a low-end workstation card that isn’t well suited to modern gaming. You may be able to run lightweight or older games, but newer titles will struggle.
For the best value, look for a second-hand gaming PC rather than putting much money into this one. Some refurbished business desktops can work well as budget gaming machines, but you need to confirm the power supply, case clearance, and whether the model supports a standard graphics card.
I was hoping for a cheap upgrade, but it sounds like I should check the power supply and consider replacing the system eventually.