How to Know When to Replace Your PC

Computers are remarkable machines. They help us to do work, have fun, and stay in touch with our friends and family. Like people, computers grow old and become outdated as well. No matter how attached you are to your PC, you will have to upgrade or change it after approximately five years. Here are some warning signs that it might be time to replace your PC.

Laggy Gaming

You have been anticipating the release of the latest video game and have installed it immediately. Everything looks amazing. But once you start to play, you notice that your game is stuttering and moving at a lower FPS (frames per second). This serious issue affects not only the visual experience but your performance in the game.

While 30 FPS might have been acceptable for older games, 60 FPS is now the ideal frame rate for gaming. At this frame rate, the gameplay is fluid and responsive. If you are playing multiplayer games, 120 FPS can further enhance responsiveness so that your character can react swiftly and perform the necessary actions in a busy environment.

When your computer is unable to maintain a high enough frame rate for you to game smoothly, chances are that your GPU (graphics card) or CPU (central processor) is to blame (or both). If your CPU is outdated, it can create a bottleneck for your GPU. Similarly, if your GPU is not powerful enough to run the latest games, it can directly result in lower FPS when gaming.

Blue Screens

Oops! You are in the middle of writing an important email when your computer freezes and you are faced with a giant blue screen with a sad face emoticon. The dreaded blue screen of death (BSoD) is an error screen displayed by the Windows operating system (OS) when it runs into a fatal system error.

If you are experiencing BSoDs frequently, this could be due to problematic or overheating hardware, faulty hardware drivers, incompatible software, or issues with the files that run critical Windows processes. Users who are familiar with troubleshooting can check the minidump file from the error to find out more about what caused the error.

Aside from hardware issues, BSoDs can also be caused by viruses that corrupt your system files. Having the newest version of your OS is essential to ensure that your computer has the most stringent security updates. If your computer hardware is too old to support OS patches, then it may be time to consider a replacement.

Long Load Times

Your computer is taking so long to boot up that you usually press the ‘on’ button, then head to the pantry to make yourself a cup of coffee. If your computer needs an exceptionally lengthy amount of time to start up or shut down, this is a sure sign that it is straining to handle its workload.

You may also notice that certain applications, including your OS, are taking longer to load since they were updated to the latest versions. Sometimes, you try to multitask but find that your computer freezes for a short time when you switch between open applications.

This is a common problem that occurs when new software meets old hardware. Your current hardware may meet the minimum requirements to run a program, but other processes may add to your computer’s CPU and memory load and result in an overall clunky operation.

Hardware Compatibility Issues

So, your computer is running badly and you want to give it an upgrade. You have brought home the latest SSD (solid-state storage) drive and a 32GB stick of RAM (primary memory) to boost your computer’s performance. However, you are shocked to find that these components are not compatible with your existing configuration.

Certain CPUs can only be installed with specific motherboards. For example, if you have an AMD socket motherboard, an Intel CPU will not work. Similarly, every motherboard and CPU has compatible types of RAM. Contrary to common belief, mixing RAM sticks of different speeds can create latency and reduce performance. On top of that, your PSU (power supply) needs to produce enough stable power to run the entire rig.

It can be difficult to purchase updated computer components and realize that your PC is not ready for them. You could end up purchasing piece after piece of hardware in an effort to bring your computer up to speed. Before you start on the long road of buying new components for your old computer, consider if a brand new machine will save you money and stress.

The best way to know how to approach your computer quandary is to speak to a professional. Some computer stores have dedicated technicians that can evaluate your PC and give you important suggestions on how you can upgrade it or whether you should simply replace it. They can also recommend the ideal specifications and help you build your dream machine. Find out more info at this link and locate a quality computer store near you.