Hey everyone! My computer has been incredibly slow lately, and I really need some help figuring out where to start with upgrading it. Simple tasks like opening new windows in File Explorer or Chrome, and even right-clicking applications, take forever. My goal is to be able to play some games like CoD, Terraria, Ark, and Counter Strike Source. I'm not aiming for high FPS; I just want these games to run smoothly. I also use my PC for studying and light coding, so it needs to be somewhat functional!
Here are my current specs:
- CPU: i5-9400f
- GPU: RTX 2060 8GB
- RAM: 16GB Crucial DDR4 2666MHz (2x8GB)
- Motherboard: Asus Prime H310M-A R2.0 LGA 1151 Intel H310 DDR4 Micro ATX
- PSU: Unsure, as it was a prebuilt computer.
I usually game at 1080p and would love to step up to 1440p if possible. I'm looking for budget-friendly options that will still last me a while. I'd like to buy the upgrades gradually instead of all at once. Any advice would be much appreciated!
4 Answers
It sounds like you're running Windows off an HDD. If your motherboard has an M.2 slot, consider upgrading to an NVMe SSD. That can make a huge difference in how fast your system feels!
Going for that M.2 SSD is a solid first step, but keep in mind your overall specs. You might hit the minimum requirements for newer games soon. Depending on your budget, you could look for a used GPU like a 3080 since the newer 50 series might be out of reach. If you ever think of upgrading to AM5, like the 7800X3D, that could really boost your performance, especially paired with a decent GPU. Just weigh your options if you plan to stick with AM4 or upgrade later!
If you're still having issues, try doing a reset of Windows. A fresh install can sometimes work wonders for performance.
I just did a fresh OS install a couple of weeks ago, haha. Might not be the issue.
If your PC is still slow after trying the SSD, I’d recommend upgrading your RAM next. More RAM can definitely help with multitasking and gaming performance, especially if you're looking at heavier games.
Should I upgrade the MHz or just increase the capacity?
I actually have a spare M.2 SSD, so I’ll give that a shot and let you know how it goes.