Upgrading a prebuilt gaming PC is a daunting task for the uninitiated. With so many hardware components and software configurations to choose from, it’s no wonder why so many gamers choose to go the prebuilt route rather than attempting to assemble their own from scratch. Fortunately, making upgrades to a prebuilt gaming PC is much easier than attempting to build one from scratch, once you know what to do. Here’s a step-by-step guide to upgrading your prebuilt gaming PC.
1. The first step is to identify what needs upgrading. Check your system’s specs and compare them to the requirements of the games you want to play. If your system falls short of the required specs in any way, that’s a good indication that you should upgrade. It’s also important to pay attention to your system’s cooling capabilities and make sure that they are up to par with the hardware components you plan to upgrade to.
2. Once you’ve identified what needs upgrading, it’s time to research the components you want to buy. Check reviews, compare specs, and calculate the cost of each component you plan to purchase. Make sure to factor in the cost of any additional components, such as cooling solutions, that you may need in order to properly utilize your new hardware.
3. Once you’ve identified the best components for your system, it’s time to make the purchase. Make sure to check for any discounts or special offers when purchasing the components. It’s worth shopping around for the best prices before buying, as even small savings can add up in the long run.
4. Once you’ve purchased all of the components, it’s time to actually upgrade the system. Most prebuilt gaming PCs are fairly easy to upgrade. In most cases, users can open the side panel, remove or replace the existing hardware (if necessary), and then reinstall the new hardware. However, certain components, such as graphics cards and processors, may require their own unique installation procedures, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting any unfamiliar steps.
5. After the new hardware is installed, it’s time to install any necessary drivers and software. Check the manufacturer’s website for any drivers and software that you need to install for your hardware. Make sure to follow the steps listed carefully, as even small mistakes can result in driver or software incompatibilities.
6. Once all of the software is installed and drivers are up to date, it’s time to double check that everything is working properly. Run any performance tests or benchmarks you have installed, to make sure that the hardware is running correctly. If all looks good, it’s time to put your PC to the test with a few games.
7. Finally, once you’ve spent some time testing out your new system and are satisfied with how it performs, it’s time to make any minor software tweaks or upgrades you may want to make. This could include anything from overclocking your hardware for maximum performance, to changing the look of your user interface with a custom skin.
Storage Upgrade
One of the most significant upgrades you can make to a prebuilt gaming PC is to upgrade the storage. Upgrading your storage will give you more room to install new games and store larger files, such as high-resolution video files. To upgrade the storage, you’ll need to purchase a new storage drive, such as an SSD or HDD. If your system already has an SSD or HDD installed, you’ll need to determine if you need a larger capacity or faster speed drive. In most cases, you’ll be replacing both, as a larger capacity drive can also be faster than a smaller capacity drive.
Once you have the new storage drive, you’ll need to install it. Depending on the type of drive you’ve purchased, you may need to use additional mounting hardware or cables. In most cases, the existing cables from your existing drives should be compatible with the new drive, making installation much faster and easier. After you’ve installed the new drive, you’ll need to partition it and format it with a compatible file system. Make sure to research which file system is best for your specific type of drive before proceeding.
After the drive has been partitioned and formatted, you can then start transferring your existing files. If you have previously backed up your data, you can restore from the backup, or you can simply copy and paste the files from the old drive to the new one. Once the files have been transferred, you can then start enjoying the increased storage space available to you.
Graphics Card Upgrade
Another great way to upgrade your prebuilt gaming PC is to upgrade the graphics card. Depending on the brand and model of your system, the integrated graphics chipset may not be up to par with the latest games. To upgrade, you’ll need to purchase a dedicated graphics card. To identify the best card for your system, you’ll need to check your system’s specs and compare them to the specifications of the graphics card you’re thinking of installing. Make sure to check the power requirements of your card, as well as its physical size, to make sure that it will fit in your system.
After you make the purchase, you’ll need to physically install the card in the system. You’ll first need to locate the graphics card’s slot on your motherboard. Depending on the type of card, you’ll need to remove the existing slot cover or disable the integrated GPU on your motherboard. After preparing the slot, you can then install the card, making sure that its finger-tightened screws do not come in contact with any of the other components.
Once the card is installed in your system, you’ll then need to install the proper drivers for the card. Again, check the manufacturer’s website for the appropriate drivers, and double-check to make sure that you’ve installed the correct ones before proceeding. After you’ve installed the drivers, you may need to edit your system’s BIOS settings in order to enable any additional features supported by the card, if necessary.
Once everything is configured, you can then enjoy the improved performance of your upgraded graphics card. Remember to run any benchmarks or performance tests that you have available, to make sure that the new card is performing as expected. And don’t forget to keep an eye out for any new drivers or software released by the manufacturer.
Memory Upgrade
Upgrading the system memory is another great way to improve your prebuilt gaming PC. Adding additional memory will provide a performance boost to your system, in addition to allowing you to install more games and applications. The amount of memory you’ll need to purchase will depend on the type of system you have. Make sure to check your system’s specs and look up the max memory supported by your motherboard. For example, if your system supports up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM, you’ll need to purchase a kit that has that same amount of memory.
Once you have the RAM, you’ll then need to remove the existing memory, if any is installed. Make sure to power down your system completely before attempting to install the new memory. Open the side panel of your system and remove the existing memory, if any. You may need to reference the manual or any labels on the old sticks, as there may be certain slots that require certain type of modules. Once the old memory has been removed, you can then go ahead and install the new memory.
Make sure to place any additional RAM in the same slots that the old memory was in. Pop in the RAM modules firmly into the slots, making sure to line them up correctly with the slots. After everything is installed, simply power back up the system and check that the new RAM has been detected. To verify, you can go into the system BIOS and check to make sure that the RAM has been recognized and is running at the correct speed.
After you’ve verified that the RAM is running correctly, you can then open up your system’s task manager and check the amount of available memory. You should see that it has increased, letting you know that your upgrade was successful. From here, you can begin to enjoy the improved performance that comes with having additional RAM.
Cooling System Upgrade
In addition to hardware upgrades, you may also want to consider upgrading your system’s cooling capabilities. High-end CPUs and GPUs can generate a lot of heat, so it’s important to make sure that your system’s cooling system can keep up with the additional heat generated. To upgrade the cooling system, you’ll need to purchase additional fans or an AIO (all-in-one) water cooling system.
If you are upgrading the existing cooling system, you’ll want to make sure that the fans or AIO you purchase are compatible with your system and the components you plan on installing. Make sure to check the fan/cooler size and mounting points to make sure everything lines up correctly. It’s also important to note the power requirements of the fans/AIO and make sure that your system’s power supply can handle the added load.
Once you have the fans/AIO, you can begin the installation process. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the steps to take, as they may vary depending on the type of system you have. Additionally, certain components may require additional cooling solutions such as thermal paste, so make sure to purchase those as well before beginning installation.
Once you’ve completed the installation process, you can start testing the performance of your new cooling system. Stress test your system by running intensive applications or playing resource-heavy games to make sure that your cooling system is staying within acceptable temperatures. Check the temperatures of your system’s internal components periodically, to make sure that the cooling system is working correctly.
Software Upgrade
Finally, you may also want to consider upgrading the software that comes with your prebuilt gaming PC. Prebuilt systems usually come with some form of bloatware, as well as outdated drivers and software. Oftentimes, simply updating the current software on your system can provide a decent performance boost. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s website for any software updates that may be available for your system, and install them as soon as possible.
In addition to updating the existing software, you may also want to consider adding some additional software or utilities. Free applications such as benchmarking programs, system monitors, and overclocking utilities can be incredibly helpful when it comes to maintaining and improving your system’s performance. There are also many free anti-virus programs available, so make sure to install one of those to keep your system safe and secure.
Lastly, you may also want to consider adding some additional features to your user interface. There are a variety of visual mods and themes available for popular operating systems, so you can customize the look and feel of your user interface. Custom skins can also provide additional features and settings that are not available in the default version of your current operating system, so keep an eye out for any of those as well.
