Hey everyone! I've been using my PC for almost a decade, and I'm keen on upgrading it to boost my gaming experience gradually. I don't have much experience with buying or upgrading PCs, but I have a tech background, so I can pick things up pretty easily. Most of the games I play are light, like puzzle and 2D platformers, but I do want to explore some more demanding titles like Talos Principle 2 and Jedi Survivor, if that's realistic with my current setup. I'm okay with medium or low graphic settings; I just want something that runs smoothly. I'm hoping to find some decent older components since I doubt I need top-of-the-line parts to achieve my goals.
Here's what I'm currently working with:
- Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-6400 CPU
- 16 GB RAM
- Intel(R) HD Graphics 530 (which I believe is integrated)
What should be my first upgrade? Any recommendations on what components to look into? Thanks a lot!
2 Answers
Upgrading bit by bit can be tricky! Ideally, you'd want to save up and make bigger, more impactful upgrades. But if you're looking to start, I’d suggest you decide on your gaming resolution first. Are you playing at 1080p or 1440p? That could change your upgrade strategy.
If you're going the incremental route, here's a solid path:
1. Swap in an SSD if you're still using an HDD. Check if your motherboard can handle an NVMe SSD, as that’ll give you a significant speed boost.
2. Consider a GPU upgrade like the 9060XT, alongside a beefy power supply (750 watts or more).
3. Eventually, you’ll want a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM all at once since they need to be compatible. Remember, new boards typically use DDR5 RAM, not the older DDR4 your current setup uses.
4. Lastly, think about a new case, fans, and possibly some coolers for better airflow!
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