My brother built my current PC as a Christmas gift around 2020, but he has since moved away and I know very little about computer hardware. I would like to learn how to upgrade it myself instead of taking it to a store, but I'm nervous about damaging it because it's extremely important to me. The only upgrade I've had done was adding RAM a few years ago.
The parts I know about are a Samsung 970 EVO 1TB SSD, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060, and an AMD Ryzen 5 3600X six-core processor. I'm not sure what other information I need to provide or how to find it. I've heard that upgrading one component without considering the rest can sometimes cause compatibility or performance problems.
What would be the best way for a beginner to learn this safely, and which upgrades would make the most sense? I would also prefer to keep using Windows 10 because I like its interface and do not want unwanted AI features or a Windows 11-style experience forced on me.
2 Answers
The graphics card is probably the most noticeable upgrade from an RTX 2060. Depending on your budget, a modern 16GB card such as an RTX 5060 Ti or RX 9060 XT could be worth considering. Your Ryzen 5 3600X is getting older, but it can still be fine for many games, so you don’t necessarily need to replace the CPU immediately.
Replacing a GPU is a good beginner project. Watch a few installation videos first, shut the computer down, unplug it from the wall, remove the side panel, disconnect the GPU’s power cable, remove its case screws, release the latch on the PCIe slot, and pull the card straight out. Install the replacement firmly until the latch clicks, secure it to the case, reconnect the power cable, and install the appropriate drivers. Using a driver-cleanup utility before changing cards can help avoid driver conflicts, but follow a reputable guide carefully.
Before buying anything, check the power supply model and wattage, along with the card’s physical dimensions and required power connectors. An RM850x is indeed a power supply, and an 850-watt unit should provide plenty of capacity for the suggested cards if it is in good condition.
It’s also worth thinking about Windows support before planning around Windows 10. Standard Windows 10 security updates have ended or are nearing their end depending on the edition and support arrangement, so staying on it indefinitely can leave the system less secure. A clean reinstall can also remove years of accumulated software clutter, but make sure important files and activation information are backed up first.
If the Windows 11 interface and bundled features are the main problem, you can look into carefully debloating or customizing Windows 11 with well-known tools. Another option is a gaming-oriented Linux distribution, although that requires checking whether the games and programs you use work properly on Linux.
My main concerns are the Windows 11 interface and the amount of AI functionality being pushed into it. I really prefer how Windows 10 looks, so I’m hesitant to switch unless I can customize those parts.