I'm pretty new to this whole PC gaming thing. I bought my computer during the pandemic, and I've been playing more games recently. However, I've noticed that the games can get a bit glitchy and freeze for a moment. I'm looking for suggestions on what I can upgrade to improve my gaming experience. Here are my current specs: I have an Intel i5-9400F processor running at 2.9 GHz, 16 GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super graphics card.
3 Answers
It sounds like your stuttering and freezes could be linked to your RAM. Upgrading your RAM and GPU would give you the best bang for your buck if you're not looking to buy a whole new PC. If money is tight, focus on what’s causing the most struggle—check your RAM usage during gaming. If you're maxing it out, it's time to add more. If your GPU can't handle decent resolutions or graphic settings smoothly, then it's definitely time for an upgrade!
The main focus should probably be on upgrading your GPU, but don’t forget about your CPU—it could use an upgrade as well. Just curious, what’s your current budget looking like?
First off, have you checked if the issues might be coming from software instead of hardware? Sometimes, a fresh install of Windows can clear up a ton of problems, especially after upgrading to Windows 11. You could also try uninstalling your GPU drivers using DDU in safe mode and then reinstalling them. Make sure your BIOS and chipset drivers are updated as well. Also, check if XMP is enabled in your BIOS. If it’s not a software issue, the freezing could be due to your older GPU struggling with high settings, or your i5 processor might not be cutting it for some of the newer games. If you're running single-channel memory or using an HDD for games, that's another potential bottleneck. If you've ruled out software problems, let me know your upgrade budget and I'll help you out. By the way, I'm based in Australia, so I can help you find some good deals too!
Thanks for the tips! My wife and I have the same setup, so we're looking to upgrade both systems. Our budget is around $2,000 for both—so about $1,000 each. I've already done a full upgrade to Windows 11 and updated some drivers, but I haven’t tackled everything just yet.
How do I check if the memory is single channel?
Right now, I’m at about $1,000 for upgrades, so I'm focused on making that stretch!