Quick Links
Building a new PC can be expensive, and the same applies if you’re looking to upgrade your existing one. Sure, you might find budget alternatives, but finding the most performance for your money can be a difficult thing.
So, if you’re looking to upgrade your PC on a tight budget, here are the upgrades that’ll deliver the most bang for your buck.
1Better Memory
Your system’s memory is one of the most important aspects of overall performance, and I’m not just talking about chucking in as much RAM as possible. For the best performance, it’s best to go with faster memory at a lower capacity.
For example, 16GB of memory running at 5200 MT/s will give you better performance than 32GB at 3200 MT/s. Of course, the total amount of memory you have does affect system performance, but unless you’re using programs that can take advantage of the increased system memory you have, it’s typicallybetter to get faster RAM than more RAM.
It’s all about balance. While having more RAM will help when multitasking or keeping more Chrome tabs open, when it comes to task processing speed, faster RAM is where the performance lies.
Considering you may buy aCrucial 32GB DDR5 RAM kitrunning at 6000 MT/s for under $150 (sometimes dropping under $100 during Amazon sales!), it’s one of the first upgrades you should be considering for your PC, whether you’re on a tight budget or not. attempt to avoid buying memory sticks with RGB, as they tend to cost more and don’t do anything for performance compared to their non-RGB counterparts.
2Faster Storage
Another avenue for upgrades on your PC that has become much cheaper over the years is storage. HDDs have become significantly cheaper, so mass storage is taken care of, but you need to have at least one high-performance SSD in your system.
Choosing between an HDD and an SSDhas never been easier, thanks to SSDs becoming considerably cheaper in recent times. Adding an SSD or upgrading to a faster SSD on your system is one of the best upgrades you make on a budget, as it’ll result in a notable improvement in performance.
Installing your operating system and other important programs on your SSD ensures less time waiting for your PC or programs to boot, delivering a much better user experience overall. There areplenty of reasons why you should store your games on an SSD.
For around $150, you’re able to upgrade to aWD Black SN850X, a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD with data transfer speeds of up to 7,300 MB/s. If you want to save some money, the 1TB variant comes in well under $100. Samsung also makes some pretty fast SSDs, and you cancheck out our comparison of its PRO, EVO, and QVO lineupto figure out which one suits you best.
3Better Cooling
Investing in better cooling for your CPU, GPU, or case can add performance and extend the lifespan of your PC components without burning a hole in your wallet.Thermal throttling can affect your CPU’s performanceas it doesn’t leave a lot of headroom for the processor when under stress, so better cooling should always be on your list of upgrades.
While the stock CPU cooler you get in the box should be fine to get you going, based on the ambient temperature in your room and where you live, it can make sense to invest in something like an AIO cooler. For around $100, you’re able to get a decent AIO liquid cooler for your CPU. These are surprisingly easy to install and can significantly improve thermal performance, resolving throttling issues that might be keeping your CPU from stretching its legs.
Thermal throttling can also affect GPUs. While there areways to prevent GPU thermal throttling, you’re able to find extra clip-on fans for your GPU for as low as $14.99 on Amazon. They won’t be as effective as an AIO liquid cooler but should lower temps by a few degrees. GPU water blocks tend to be in the same price range as CPU coolers, so if you have the time and money, that’s a good fix for an overheating GPU.
Finally, adding a few case fans to ensure good air circulation inside your PC case is also not a bad idea, considering you can pickup anASUS 120mm ARGB PWM Chassis Fanfor around $15. A combination of these three cooling solutions will help boost performance and ensure that your PC components last a while.
4Consider a New GPU
If you’re using an older GPU and your in-game performance isn’t up to the mark, a new GPU can breathe new life into your build. GPUs can be expensive, but you don’t necessarily have to get a top-of-the-line GPU, as those are rarely value for money.Our editor Hamlin even regrets buying an RTX 4090.
If you’re using an older GPU, especially from Nvidia’s GTX Series (or equivalent AMD GPU), it’s time for an upgrade. The good news is that you may get an entry-levelRTX 3050for around $170, and that’s not a bad price for the jump in performance you’ll be getting. You’ll also not have to spend more to get a new power supply, depending on the TGP of your new GPU.
Please keep in mind that I’m talking about the relative jump in performance when coming from older hardware, not by modern standards, as a more expensive RTX 40-Series or AMD Radeon RX 7000 Series GPU will leave most older GPUs in the dust.
Sadly, any upgrades past that will cost you more. For example, RTX 3060s can go for anywhere between $250 to $300, at which price you can also consider anRTX 4060. Budget GPUs aren’t really a thing anymore, so you will have to extend your budget. However, as mentioned before, if you’re coming from older hardware, just about any new GPU will give you a massive performance boost for not a lot of money.
5New CPU and/or Motherboard
There is some debate as towhether you should upgrade your CPU or GPU first, but a CPU is the core component of any computer nonetheless. If you’ve gone through this list and are still looking for an upgrade, it’s time for a CPU swap. In most cases, that would also require a new motherboard, so you’re looking at pretty much a new build here.
We’vecompared Intel, AMD, and Apple CPUsto help you figure out which one you should upgrade to. There are alsoseveral reasons you could upgrade to Intel’s 14th gen CPU lineup, and you can do it for as low as $150, although unless you’re coming from a really old CPU, that won’t do much for performance. That said, you can pick up anIntel i5-14500for just a little over $200 or an i7-14700F for around $350, with the K variant costing a bit more.
As far as motherboards are concerned, if you’re upgrading from an Intel 13th Gen CPU, you’re in luck, as your existing motherboard is compatible with 14th Gen chips. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said about your existing power supply, though, as you might need more power to run the upgraded components.
Overall, if you’re looking for the best value out of your upgrade budget, memory, storage, and better cooling are the best places to start. Throw in some more money, and you can upgrade your entire PC without breaking the bank, although you might put a dent in it.
