What Should I Upgrade on My PC?
It’s confusing to know where to start when your computer begins to lag. If your PC feels slow and you’re not sure what to upgrade first, this guide will help you prioritize the right parts. Whether your computer is old, slow, or just lagging in games, the answer usually comes down to fixing one specific bottleneck.
Is your PC more than 5 years old?Check our dedicated Old PC Upgrade Guide →
Why Most PC Upgrades Fail
Many people upgrade their PCs randomly, buying more RAM or a new graphics card because they heard it was "good." But upgrading the wrong part is a waste of money. If your storage is slow, a faster processor won't help. The success of an upgrade depends entirely on fixing what actually feels slow to you.
How to Decide What to Upgrade (Simple Rule)
“You don’t upgrade parts. You fix bottlenecks.”
Your computer works like a team. If one player is slow, the whole team waits. Your goal isn't to buy the most expensive part, but to identify which specific component is holding everyone else back. Is it startup speed? App loading times? Multitasking freezes? Or gaming performance?
What Feels Slow on Your PC? (Choose One)
PC is slow to start or open apps
If you press the power button and have time to make coffee before Windows loads, or if clicking an icon like Chrome or Word takes 10+ seconds to actually open, you have a storage bottleneck. This is the most common issue in older PCs.
PC freezes when multitasking
If your computer runs fine with one app open but freezes or stutters when you open five browser tabs and Spotify, you likely have a RAM bottleneck. Your computer is running out of short-term memory and has to juggle data slowly.
PC feels slow but not sure why
Sometimes it's a mix of things. If you are on an older machine, it's often hard to tell if it's the RAM or the hard drive. However, one upgrade almost always makes a bigger difference than the other.
I want better Gaming Performance (FPS)
Gaming upgrades are different. Improving boot times (SSD) won't make your games look better or run smoother. For higher FPS and better graphics, you need to follow a specialized path prioritizing the GPU.
What Should You Upgrade First? (Quick Summary)
| Problem | First Upgrade |
|---|---|
| Slow boot & app loading | SSD |
| Apps lag | SSD |
| Multitasking freezes | RAM |
| Unsure | SSD first |
Recommended Upgrade Order for Most PCs
For the vast majority of non-gaming PCs, the best upgrade path is predictable. Start with an SSD to fix speed and responsiveness. Follow that with RAM if you still encounter heavy multitasking lag. Leave the CPU and GPU for later, as they are expensive and often provide less value for general tasks.
You can see the Full PC upgrade path for a more detailed breakdown of every component.
Common Beginner Questions
What should I upgrade first on an old PC?
On an old PC, the mechanical hard drive is almost always the slowest part. Replacing it with a solid-state drive (SSD) is the single best upgrade you can make to breathe new life into an old machine.
What do I need to upgrade on my PC for better performance?
It depends on the performance issue. For general speed (windows, browser, word), upgrade storage to SSD. For multitasking (many windows open), upgrade RAM. For gaming (low FPS), upgrade the GPU.
Should I upgrade memory or storage first?
Storage (SSD) should almost always come before memory (RAM), unless you already have an SSD. The speed difference an SSD makes is far more noticeable than adding more RAM for the average user.
Final Advice Before You Upgrade
Don’t rush into buying parts. Take a moment to diagnose what really feels slow. Upgrade in steps—fix the storage first, see how it feels, and then decide if you need more. This approach saves you money and ensures you only buy what you actually need.