I built my PC in 2022, but I'm currently using an older APU from 2019 (the AMD Athlon 300GE), and it's been struggling lately, especially with crashes while playing games and streaming videos from sites like YouTube and Reddit. Here are my current specs:
* A320M-A Pro Max motherboard
* 32GB DDR4-2666 RAM
* AMD Athlon 300GE APU
* NOX Hummer Zero Core Black Edition case
I'm considering my upgrade options but I'm on a tight budget of under 100 euros. What should I do? Should I:
1. Just change the thermal paste on my CPU (which I haven't done since 2022 and I know I should)?
2. Upgrade with thermal paste plus a low-budget GPU?
3. Replace my APU with a newer model, like the AMD Ryzen 5 3400G?
4. Suggest something else I might not have thought of?
3 Answers
Changing the thermal paste isn’t always necessary unless you notice overheating or remove the cooler. Focus on effective upgrades; you might prioritize the GPU first if gaming is your main focus.
Make sure your case can handle a full-height GPU and is long enough for one measuring over 260mm. It can make a big difference in performance!
You might want to consider getting a used RX 580; it’s a great budget option that could really improve your gaming experience. Just check if your case can fit it since they're a bit big!
This sounds solid! Just make sure to check your case dimensions before buying.
It can support that length, but I’m not sure about the height. Just updated my parts list to help with suggestions!