I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade my old 2013 desktop or buy a new Mini PC. I'm planning to hand down this desktop to my 10-year-old son, who plays games like Roblox and Minecraft, but he also wants to try new games like Teardown. My main concern is finding a budget-friendly upgrade (around 200-300 CAD) that will help newer games run smoothly without stuttering. If upgrading isn't practical, would it be better to look for a Mini PC with an AMD integrated GPU for a similar price? Here are the specs of my current desktop for reference.
2 Answers
Honestly, if you're looking to upgrade the GPU, I wouldn't waste much on that old setup. Nvidia no longer optimizes drivers for your current GPU model, which means newer games won't run well. If you're considering a new GPU, you might want to look for something more recent, but make sure it's compatible with your motherboard and won't be bottlenecked by your CPU. With that being said, you could get a decent used GPU for your setup, but it might not give you the performance boost you need.
I wouldn't put more money into that old system unless you can stretch your budget to around $500-550. If you can do that, I would suggest looking at a new build with parts costing around $440 plus a used GPU like the RTX 2060 or even a 2070. If budget is tight and you can't hit the $500 range, consider checking your local marketplace for secondhand PCs. You'd likely find something much better for the price, maybe around $300-400. Just check the specs against your current system to ensure it's an upgrade!
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