Gaming is a serious business these days and avid gamers require far more than just a computer or a TV and console. Tech upgrades allow you to control every aspect of your gaming setup and tailor them to maximize your gaming experience. If you are a hardcore gamer, you are probably fully aware of the frame-rates you prefer, your current PC’s performance, and what upgrades are available to take your setup to the next level. The process of upgrading a gaming PC is easier than many people realize and the results are well worth the time and money you invest.
Check out these ten must-have tech upgrades and start making the changes that will transform your gaming experience.
The CPU
Upgrading a CPU seems like a daunting task, and of course, this will be more difficult than just adding some more RAM or switching graphic cards. However, with some research and patience, you will definitely enjoy the new and improved gaming performance. Before purchasing a new CPU, it is important that you check your motherboard first to know which processors are compatible with your motherboard CPU socket.
Normally, it is a good idea to upgrade both your CPU and motherboard at the same time. However, depending on your current PC performance and gaming needs, you may be able to get away with just upgrading the processor. The tech experts at Nerd2Go computer repairs explain that it is useful to understand that CPU manufacturers do have different versions of processors for the same motherboard socket type. Moreover, keep in mind that simply upgrading your CPU without an upgraded motherboard can have a few trade-offs, especially when your newer processor comes with more advanced features. Depending on which type of motherboard you have, simply remove the old processor and put in the upgraded CPU before carefully securing and sealing it.
Liquid Cooling System
Excessive heat is every gamer’s worst enemy and every PC builder is constantly trying to figure out ways to keep their equipment cool. Having a cool PC will help every component in your PC last longer and the best way to achieve this is with fans and liquid cooling systems. Whilst a standard cooling fan can do a decent job, you should definitely consider installing a liquid cooling system to stop any risk of your computer overheating.
All-in-one coolers are great upgrades from standard air fans as they circulate liquid to keep your CPU cool. For instance, the cooling liquid will be circulated from a radiator to a block located over your CPU. When shopping for liquid coolers, it is important to make sure that your case can support it. Typically, there are four all-in-one cooler sizes and these sizes are based on radiator fan size. One of the easiest ways to know for sure if your PC needs a liquid cooler is to notice how hot your PC gets while you are gaming or working on heavy-duty tasks.
Solid State Drives
Installing a solid-state drive is considered to be one of the most effective upgrades that can make a huge difference in PC performance, especially for older systems. If your gaming computer is having trouble with the hard drive, a solid-state drive can increase your PC responsiveness and booting times. Depending on the state of your flash storage, you should consider getting a triple-level cell. Before purchasing a new drive, you should check your motherboard and device manual to determine whether or not your current system will support it.
RAM
Depending on what you use your computer for, you may want to consider adding more RAM to your current setup as this is one of the easiest ways to upgrade a PC. Depending on different users and systems, there will be an optimal amount of RAM for each case. For instance, people who normally use their computer to stream videos and edit photos, they can do just fine with 8 gigabytes of RAM. However, as a hardcore gamer, you probably need at least 16 gigabytes to play modern AAA games. Apart from gaming, if you enjoy editing videos or other media work, you should consider upgrading to at least 32 gigabytes.
Each system has an optimal amount of RAM to perform to its best potential. Therefore, if you add more RAM than the optimal amount of your current system, you are not likely to see much improvement. You should do some research and estimate the amount of RAM you currently need for your system based on the tasks you usually use your computer for.
Graphics Card
If you are a hardcore gamer, you should probably consider upgrading your graphics cards. For most gamers, simply adding an integrated graphics card will work well on modern systems. Graphics cards can even enable you to use Photoshop and watch 4K videos more smoothly on your computer. Interestingly, approximately 10 percent of Steam users are gaming with integrated graphics as well.
Before deciding on whether or not to invest in a high-quality graphics card, it is wise to check the resolution of your current monitor as a good graphics card for 4K gaming will do no good if you can only play it at 1080p. Once you have a new graphics card, simply remove the old card’s power cable, take out the card, and then insert the new one.
Software
More often than not, programs on our computers are set to update automatically. For many software programs, the version number of each update is written to define whether an update is major, minor, or a revision. For instance, if you have an update with the version number of 0.0.1 then it is more likely to be a bug fix update, while a 0.1.0 version number means an update with new features and optimizations. For these two types of an update, you can install them right away.
However, if you have a major update with a totally new version number, it is a different story. New versions of software and programs typically use more resources than their old versions. Therefore, if your current computer is already being stretched to its maximum capacity, you should probably deal with this first before installing any major updates.
Headset & Microphone
A quick online search will reveal the countless amounts of gaming headsets that are available, but they are not all made from the same stuff. A quick online review search is the best way to go here, especially when it comes to longevity as a general rule of thumb is the more you pay the longer it should last.
Gaming Chair
Never overlook the importance of a good gaming chair when it comes to desktop gaming. Its all well and good being comfortable int he short term, but a chair that sits you upright and adds support for your back is better for those of us who get into longer games, especially those of us who Twitch stream for a living.
Mouse and Keyboard
The best advice I can give you when it comes to choosing a Mouse and Keyboard is to try lots of them. Go into a shop and tap on the keyboard, use that mouse and get a feel for how they make you personally feel. Picking the best and the most expensive is never the right way to go.
Lighting
This is something that a lot of gamers often overlook, but it can really help set the mood and put you in the zone. You need something light, but not too light so it strains your eyes. One of the best ways to do this is to have LED RGB lighting strips that match the on-screen action. That way you will feel immersed while still being in a well light environment.
When it comes to tech upgrades, you should always try to tailor your new upgrades to your specific needs. First, identify your gaming requirements and assess your computer’s areas of possible improvement. Lastly, remember to check your system carefully to choose only upgrades that are compatible with your current computer.