Hi everyone! I'm a mom looking to upgrade my son's old computer, but I'm not very tech-savvy, so I'd really appreciate any advice! My son wants to play games like Fortnite and use Steam. I'm trying to keep costs low, so I'm wondering if it's worth upgrading this old machine or if I should just buy a new one altogether. I updated it to Windows 11, but it's running slow and laggy. Here's a breakdown of the specs for your reference:
- System: ASUSTeK Computer Inc. M51BC
- Processor: AMD FX-4300 Quad-Core
- RAM: 8GB
- Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 7300 Series
- Storage: 932 GB
If you need more info, just let me know! Thanks a lot!
5 Answers
That PC is pretty old and might just be better off retired! I'd suggest searching for a good used gaming setup. Look for hobbyists in your community who build PCs; they usually have good deals and can offer trustworthy advice on what you’re buying. Ideally, you should look for something under $200, but be aware that prices have changed a lot recently due to the market. An AMD system with at least a GTX 1070 would be a good minimum.”,
Honestly, upgrading this PC might not be worth it. You’d likely need to replace almost every component to get it to run modern games smoothly. The CPU and GPU are pretty outdated, and the RAM is limited as well. If you're budget-conscious, I'd recommend checking out local marketplaces for used gaming PCs. Even an older model designed for gaming would outperform this one.
If you do want to upgrade, consider adding a 250GB SATA SSD, increasing the RAM, and picking up a decent used GPU like an RX 470 or 580, along with a better CPU if you can find one at a low price. But still, it might be better to look for something new or gently used.”,
I’d suggest fixing up a laptop or even considering a low-cost mini-PC with a decent integrated GPU. You can find options under $500 that are more modern and capable of handling basic gaming tasks. It might be more worthwhile than trying to upgrade that old machine!
It’s clear that this setup won’t cut it for gaming these days. If you’re open to building a new PC, set a budget and you can find some great deals online! Websites like PCPartPicker can help you find compatible components. An SSD is a must-have! You could create a decent build for around $600. Check out this sample budget build I came up with!
That sounds interesting! I'd love to see the sample budget build.
If you can, buying a second-hand gaming PC for around $200-300 could be a smart move. eBay and Facebook Marketplace often have great finds since sellers might not know the actual value of their parts. Just make sure the computer includes a graphics card and a decent processor!
Thank you for your help! I'll start looking for options!