5 PC Gaming Myths That Need to Die in 2026

LB

Lennon Byatt

2 July 2026 3 min read

5 PC Gaming Myths That Need to Die in 2026

The PC gaming world is full of advice, but not all of it is accurate. Some myths have been around for years and still influence buying decisions today, even though hardware has changed dramatically.

Let's bust five of the biggest PC gaming myths that refuse to disappear.

Myth 1: The Human Eye Can't See Above 60 FPS

This is one of the oldest gaming myths, and it's simply not true.

While the human eye doesn't "see" in frames per second, higher frame rates create noticeably smoother motion and reduce input lag. That's why many competitive gamers choose 144Hz, 240Hz or even 360Hz monitors.

If you've ever switched from 60Hz to 144Hz, you'll know just how much smoother games can feel.

Myth 2: More RAM Always Means More FPS

Adding more RAM isn't guaranteed to improve gaming performance.

For most modern games, 16GB is still perfectly capable, while 32GB provides extra headroom for multitasking, streaming and future titles. Installing 64GB or more won't magically increase your frame rate if your games aren't using it.

It's all about having the right amount, not simply the most.

Adding more RAM isn't guaranteed to improve gaming performance

The Perfect England Matchday PC Schedule

Here's how to make the most of the best England kick-off time we've had all tournament:

Time (BST)  What's Happening PC Task
2pm–4:45pm
Pre-match build-up
Game session — get a proper hour in
4:45pm
Teams announced
Close the game, open BBC iPlayer
5pm
Kick-off
Stream on second monitor, game on hold
~6:50pm
Second half
Back on the stream
~8pm
Full time (hopefully)
Celebrate / commiserate, fire the game back up

Myth 3: You Need the Most Expensive Graphics Card

Owning a flagship GPU sounds great, but not everyone needs one.

If you're gaming at 1080p, a mid-range graphics card can deliver excellent performance without the premium price tag. Even at 1440p, there are plenty of options that offer fantastic value.

Choosing hardware that matches your monitor and gaming habits is often smarter than buying the most expensive component available.

That's where a professionally built system can offer real value

Myth 4: Building a PC Is Always Cheaper

Building your own PC can save money in some cases, but it's not always the bargain people expect.

Once you factor in Windows, delivery costs, warranties and the time spent sourcing components, a professionally built gaming PC can often offer excellent value. It also gives you the peace of mind of having your entire system tested and covered under warranty.

That's where a professionally built system can offer real value. At AWD-IT, every gaming PC is built, stress-tested and quality checked before it's shipped, giving you confidence that it's ready to perform straight out of the box. With a single system warranty, expert cable management and a wide range of configurable options, you get the flexibility of a custom-built PC without the hassle of sourcing and assembling every component yourself.

For many gamers, the convenience, support and peace of mind make a prebuilt gaming PC a smarter investment than building from scratch.

 

Myth 5: RGB Improves Performance

Let's get this one out of the way, RGB lighting won't increase your FPS.

It might make your setup look incredible, but colourful fans and LED strips don't affect gaming performance. That said, if you enjoy customising your setup, there's nothing wrong with adding a bit of personality to your gaming rig.

Which Ryzen X3D CPU Should You Choose?

AMD offers several excellent X3D processors depending on your budget and gaming needs.

  • Ryzen 7 7800X3D – A fantastic all-round gaming CPU that continues to deliver exceptional performance.
  • Ryzen 7 9800X3D – Ideal for gamers looking for the latest Zen 5 architecture and top-tier gaming performance.
  • Ryzen 9 X3D models – Better suited to users who also stream, edit videos or create content alongside gaming.

For most gamers, a Ryzen 7 X3D processor offers the best balance of price and performance.

Ryzen 7 X3D processor offers the best balance of price and performance

Get the full squad: Gaming PC Bundles

A Gaming PC Bundle makes sense if you need more than the tower.

Maybe your monitor is ancient. Maybe your keyboard and mouse have seen better days. Maybe you are building your first proper gaming setup and want the essentials sorted together.

A bundle can help you get the full setup in one go, instead of slowly piecing it together over months.

It is the easiest way to go from “I need a PC” to “I’ve got a full setup.”

Best Sim Racing Setup for Beginners: Start With the Essentials

You don’t need a full cockpit immediately. A well‑chosen beginner setup helps you develop skills faster and keeps costs under control.

1. Steering Wheel and Pedals (Top Priority)

Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.

Beginner tip: Focus on force feedback quality rather than raw power.

Your wheel and pedals are the most important part of any sim racing rig. Force feedback allows you to feel grip changes, kerbs, and steering resistance—crucial for learning car control.

Last Friday we threw open the showroom for the first time, and invited some of the gaming world's biggest creators to come and experience everything AWD has to offer. The result? A day nobody's going to forget quickly. 

Creators in attendance
Stacked lineup

Experience zones
Arcades · Sim rigs · PCs

Tech on display

Latest gen builds

Verdict

Showroom certified

Pick Your Tier

We've named each tier after a tournament stage, because let's be honest, that's exactly the kind of thing we'd do. Find your budget and dive in.

Group Stage

Gets you to the party
~£500
CPU AMD Ryzen 5 7600
GPU RX 7600 8GB
RAM 16GB DDR5-5600
Storage 500GB NVMe SSD
Target 1080p High/Ultra
 
Cracking value. You're getting solid 1080p gaming and streaming without breaking a sweat. The AM5 platform means there's a long upgrade path ahead too — this one grows with you.

Round of 32

The smart money pick
~£850
CPU Ryzen 5 9600X
GPU RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
RAM 32GB DDR5-6000
Storage 1TB NVMe SSD
Target 1440p High
 
This is the sweet spot right here. The Ryzen 9600X handles gaming and multitasking brilliantly, and 32GB of RAM is where you want to be if you're streaming and gaming simultaneously.

Quarter Final

No excuses, no compromises
~£1,500
CPU Ryzen 7 9800X3D
GPU RTX 5070 Ti Super
RAM 32GB DDR5-6400
Storage 2 TB NVMe SSD
Target 1440p Ultra / 4K
 
The 9800X3D is an absolute beast for gaming workloads, one of the best gaming CPUs on the market. Stream a game, encode your reaction cam, and watch the match. All at once. Done.

World Cup Final

 
Because you can
£2,500+
CPU Ryzen 9 9950X3D
GPU RTX 5080 / 5090
RAM 64GB DDR5-6400+
Storage 2TB + 4TB NVMe
Target 4K Ultra / OLED
 
Jaw-dropping performance, full stop. This is the kind of rig that makes the group stage builds weep. Overkill? Absolutely. Incredible? Without a shadow of a doubt.

England's Path If They Get Through

Win against Congo DR and England's potential route to the Final looks like this:

      Round of 16 (8–9 July): Mexico or Ecuador — tough but winnable

      Quarter-Final (12–13 July): Potentially Brazil — the big one

      Semi-Final (15–16 July): Possibly Argentina — we're in Messi territory now

      Final (19 July): MetLife Stadium, New Jersey — it might be coming home

 

The bracket is genuinely open. England are well-placed, and Tuchel's side are unbeaten in ten competitive fixtures. Don't get your hopes up. Also: get your hopes up.

 

The bracket is genuinely open

GTA 6 GPU Comparison Table (RTX 50 Series)

GPU Model
Performance Tier
Best Resolution
VRAM (Expected)
GTA 6 Settings
Ideal User Type
RTX 5060
Entry-Level
1080p
8–12GB
Medium–High
Budget gamers looking for smooth GTA 6 gameplay
RTX 5070
Mid-Range
1440p
12–16GB
High–Ultra
Best value for most UK gamers
RTX 5070 Ti
Upper Mid-Range
1440p / 4K
16GB
Ultra
High FPS + future-proofing
RTX 5080
High-End
4K
16–20GB
Ultra + Ray Tracing
Enthusiasts & high-performance gaming builds
RTX 5090
Ultra Enthusiast
4K+ / 8K
24GB+
Max Settings + Full Ray Tracing
No-compromise, ultimate GTA 6 experience

The point is don't buy a £150 mouse expecting it to fix your aim. Buy it because the weight, shape, and quality will make long gaming sessions more comfortable.

AWD-IT stocks gaming mice from Razer, Corsair, and ASUS at a range of price points. If you're unsure where to start, a mid-range wireless mouse from any of these brands will give you everything you need for competitive gaming.

Signs your PC has genuinely run its race

When It IS Time for a Full Rebuild

Even Messi will retire eventually. And there are signs your PC has genuinely run its race:

      CPU is pre-2018 and DDR3 (no DDR5 upgrade path available)

      Motherboard doesn't support PCIe 4.0 — you're bottlenecking modern GPUs

      Power supply is under 500W — can't safely run anything modern

      Multiple components failing, temperatures consistently hitting 90°C+

If you're ticking more than two of those boxes, a fresh AWD-IT pre-built is often better value than stacking upgrades onto a dead-end platform. You get a warranty, a coherent spec, and you know everything works together from day one.

Is It Worth Upgrading?

If your current system is several years old or you're building a new gaming PC, a Ryzen X3D processor is one of the best upgrades you can make for gaming performance.

Pairing an X3D CPU with a modern graphics card like an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT creates a system capable of delivering excellent frame rates across today's most demanding games.

Final Thoughts

There's no shortage of advice online, but it's always worth separating fact from fiction before upgrading your gaming PC. Understanding what actually impacts performance can help you make smarter decisions and get the best value for your budget.

Whether you're buying your first gaming PC or planning your next upgrade, AWD-IT offers a wide range of configurable systems built to suit every type of gamer, from casual players to competitive enthusiasts.

Browse all AWD-IT gaming PCs