World Cup Knockouts Are Here: 5 Quick PC Upgrades Before the Next Big Match
Lennon Byatt
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is in full swing, and between screaming at the TV, arguing with mates about formations, and watching Germany dismantle Curacao 7-1, we reckon there's another lineup worth building. Your dream gaming PC.
Every great football team needs the right player in the right position. And every great gaming PC needs the right component doing the right job. So we've matched the two up, here's your Dream XI, AWD-IT style.
The World Cup knockouts are underway, and that means one thing: there is no room for weak links.
Not on the pitch. Not in your setup.
If your PC is slow, loud, full, laggy or struggling to run your favourite games while you keep the match on in the background, now is the perfect time to make a few smart upgrades.
You do not always need a full new build. Sometimes one or two changes can give your setup the boost it needs before the next big fixture.
Here are five upgrades worth making before kick-off.
Upgrade your graphics card
If games look rough, frame rates are low or your PC struggles at higher settings, your Graphics Card is the first place to look.
A stronger GPU can help you play at higher resolutions, unlock smoother performance and enjoy more demanding games without constant compromise.
It is a especially useful upgrade if you want to game at 1440p or 4K, or if you are trying to get more life out of an older system.
A stronger GPU can help you play at higher resolutions
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
|
Add a faster SSD
Modern games are massive. Updates are constant. Clips, apps and launchers all take up space.
If you are deleting one game just to install another, it is time for an SSD upgrade.
A faster SSD gives you more storage and can help reduce load times, making your PC feel quicker and cleaner day to day. It is one of the simplest upgrades you can make, and it helps long after the World Cup is over.
For gaming in 2026, 16GB is a solid starting point
Give your system more RAM
If your setup slows down when you have the match stream, Discord, a browser and a game open together, you might need more Memory.
More RAM can help your PC handle multitasking better, especially during tournament nights when you are jumping between streams, chats, stats and games.
For gaming in 2026, 16GB is a solid starting point, while 32GB is a stronger choice for heavier multitasking, streaming and newer games.
Upgrade your monitor
Your PC might be doing the work, but your monitor is what you actually see.
A better Gaming Monitor can make matches look cleaner and games feel smoother. If you are still using an older 60Hz display, moving to a higher refresh rate can make a big difference to how responsive games feel.
For a World Cup setup, a larger screen or sharper resolution can also make watching more enjoyable.
Sort your cooling before extra time
A PC that runs hot can get noisy, unstable and frustrating.
If your fans are constantly ramping up, your case has poor airflow or your CPU temperatures are higher than they should be, a cooling upgrade is worth considering.
A better CPU Cooler, extra case fans or a cleaner airflow setup can help your rig stay calmer during longer sessions.
No one wants their PC sounding like a jet engine during penalties.
No one wants their PC sounding like a jet engine
Want a bigger jump? Choose an Upgrade Bundle
If your system needs more than one change, an Upgrade Bundle can be a smarter move.
A motherboard and CPU bundle gives your PC a stronger foundation, especially if your current setup is a few generations behind. It is a good option if you want more performance without starting completely from scratch.
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
|
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.
The World Cup Final is at midnight BST on 19th July. That's six weeks to get your late-night setup sorted.
Don't watch it on a tinny laptop with the brightness on full. Do it properly.
Get ready before the next whistle
The World Cup knockouts are moving fast. Big matches, big moments and plenty of post-match gaming sessions are still to come.
Whether you need a GPU, SSD, RAM, monitor, cooling upgrade or a full bundle, AWD-IT has the parts to get your setup match-fit.
Do not wait until your PC lets you down in the 90th minute.
