How Often Should You Upgrade Your Gaming PC?
Lennon Byatt
How Often Should You Upgrade Your Gaming PC?
Technology moves quickly, and it can sometimes feel like there's always a new graphics card or processor around the corner. But does that mean you should upgrade your gaming PC every year?
For most gamers, the answer is no.
The good news is that a well-built gaming PC can last for years, especially if you upgrade individual components when needed. Knowing when, and what to upgrade can help you get the best performance without spending more than necessary.
It Depends on the Games You Play
Not everyone uses their gaming PC in the same way.
If you mainly play esports titles like Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends or Rocket League, your hardware will likely stay relevant for much longer. These games are designed to run well on a wide range of systems.
On the other hand, if you enjoy the latest AAA games like Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077 or S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, you'll probably notice the need for upgrades sooner as new releases become more demanding.
Not everyone uses their gaming PC in the same way.
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
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Pre-match build-up
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Game session — get a proper hour in
|
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4:45pm
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Teams announced
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Close the game, open BBC iPlayer
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5pm
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Kick-off
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Stream on second monitor, game on hold
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~6:50pm
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Second half
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Back on the stream
|
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~8pm
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Full time (hopefully)
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Celebrate / commiserate, fire the game back up
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Signs It's Time for an Upgrade
Not sure if your PC needs some attention? Here are a few tell-tale signs:
- You're lowering graphics settings just to achieve playable frame rates.
- Games take noticeably longer to load than they used to.
- Your PC struggles to multitask while gaming.
- New game releases no longer meet your system's recommended specifications.
- You want to move from 1080p to 1440p or even 4K gaming.
If any of these sound familiar, it may be time to consider upgrading.
One of the biggest advantages of PC gaming
Which Component Should You Upgrade First?
One of the biggest advantages of PC gaming is that you don't always need to replace the entire system.
Graphics Card (GPU)
For most gamers, upgrading the graphics card will have the biggest impact on gaming performance.
A newer GPU can deliver:
- Higher frame rates
- Better ray tracing performance
- Support for newer technologies like DLSS and Frame Generation
- Improved performance at 1440p and 4K
If your current graphics card is more than four or five years old, this is often the best place to start.
Processor (CPU)
Your processor becomes more important in games that rely heavily on simulation or competitive performance.
Games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, Cities: Skylines II and Escape from Tarkov benefit from strong CPU performance.
If you're pairing a modern graphics card with an older processor, upgrading your CPU can remove performance bottlenecks.
Memory (RAM)
While 16GB is still perfectly usable for gaming, 32GB is quickly becoming the new sweet spot for modern systems.
Extra RAM is particularly useful if you:
- Stream your gameplay
- Keep multiple applications open
- Play heavily modded games
- Edit videos or create content
Storage
Storage upgrades don't increase FPS, but they can dramatically improve your day-to-day experience.
Moving to a fast NVMe SSD means:
- Faster Windows boot times
- Quicker game loading
- Less texture pop-in
- Smoother open-world streaming
For many gamers, upgrading from an older hard drive is one of the most noticeable improvements they can make.
Storage upgrades don't increase FPS, but they can dramatically improve your day-to-day experience
Future-Proofing Your Gaming PC
While no PC is truly "future-proof," choosing modern hardware gives your system a much longer lifespan.
When buying a new gaming PC, consider:
- 32GB DDR5 RAM
- A 2TB NVMe SSD
- A current-generation graphics card
- A high-quality power supply with room for future upgrades
Spending a little more now can save you from needing another upgrade sooner than expected.
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.
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
Round of 32
Quarter Final
World Cup Final
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
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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
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1440p / 4K
|
16GB
|
Ultra
|
High FPS + future-proofing
|
|
RTX 5080
|
High-End
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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.
Should You Upgrade or Buy a New PC?
If your system is only a few years old, upgrading individual components is usually the most cost-effective option.
However, if your PC uses an older platform that requires a new motherboard, RAM and processor just to stay current, replacing the whole system may offer better value in the long run.
Modern gaming PCs also benefit from improved cooling, faster DDR5 memory and support for the latest graphics cards, making them a worthwhile investment if your current build is showing its age.
Final Thoughts
You don't need to upgrade your gaming PC every time new hardware is released. Instead, focus on how your system performs in the games you actually play.
Whether it's a graphics card upgrade for higher frame rates, extra RAM for smoother multitasking or a fast NVMe SSD for quicker loading, upgrading the right component at the right time can give your PC a new lease of life.
