Gaming tech keeps on improving. And it feels like we’re getting some cool advancements that makes our games look and run better every year. From incredible visuals to much smoother gameplay, it’s the hardware that makes all this possible.
2025 is set to bring a boat load of great components for us to get our hands on. But do you need to upgrade your gaming PC yet? And if you do, which parts should you replace first? We’ve got the answers…
Signs it’s time to upgrade your gaming PC
So, you’re asking yourself ‘when should I upgrade my gaming PC?’ Generally, with good maintenance, proper cooling and regular updates, a quality machine should last around five to seven years. Just remember to clean that dust out of your case every now and then. It gets everywhere…
Saying that though, if you want to play the biggest and best games with shiny graphics, you’ll have to upgrade more often. Meaning those five years could easily become every one or two instead.
Not sure if it’s time to drop some cash on some new components? Here are a few telltale signs that it might be a good idea to start upgrading your setup:
Slower performance in new games – If your PC is feeling sluggish and struggling with the latest titles, you’ll want some fresh components. After all, nobody likes lag or staring at a long loading screen!
Maxed out settings with low frame rates – When max settings equal low frame rates, it’s time to improve your rig. Ideally, you should be able to play on high graphics settings without a drop in your performance.
Missing out on the latest features – Can’t take advantage of things like ray tracing or support for ultra-high frame rates? These bits of tech make games look better and run without any hiccups. And they’re absolutely worth having.
You want to try virtual reality – VR gaming is here to stay. But running VR experiences on new headsets needs a lot of power. Especially if you want everything to work well.
CPU bottlenecks – More on this below. But if your processor is at its limits, you’ll probably want to swap it out.
Running console ports on PC – Those PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series exclusives can be pretty demanding. And with more and more of them making their way to PC, you want to make sure you can actually play them.
What should I upgrade in my PC?
What PC component should I upgrade first? This one’s a really common question. To get the biggest performance jump, a lot of gamers start with their GPU (graphics card). But plenty of other components can make a real difference too. Here’s a mini breakdown of what you might want to upgrade first…
Start with your graphics card (GPU)
How long does a GPU last for gaming? Usually, a GPU can handle three to five years of solid gaming before it starts to struggle with new titles. For example, one like the Nvidia RTX 4090 – which launched back in 2022 – still gives you top tier performance here in 2024. Meaning you don’t always have to rush out and buy a replacement.
The latest batch of cards are very tempting though. DLSS 3.5 anyone? So, if you’re noticing any of these, you should start thinking about that new GPU:
Graphical artifacts or rendering issues – These can show up as odd visual glitches while you play. And they usually suggest that your GPU is under a lot of stress.
Frequent freezing and crashing – If games or your system keep on crashing, your GPU might just be the culprit.
Overheating and loud fan noise – Over time, GPUs can run hotter and louder. Which impacts performance and makes a real racket.
Driver issues or no display on startup – Constant problems with your drivers or a blank screen when you boot up your PC? That could be pointing to a dying GPU.
A brand-new GPU will almost definitely give your gaming a boost. Especially now that Ai powered upscaling tech (like DLSS, FSR or Intel XeSS) is making its way onto the scene. This’ll make your graphics look way more impressive, with increased performance to boot. It’s Ai.mazing stuff…
Most modern games are taking advantage of advanced ray tracing now too. We mentioned it earlier, but the DLSS 3.5 update in September this year is a BIG deal. By adding Ray Reconstruction, games are looking stunningly realistic. We reckon it won’t be long until photo realism is on the cards. Watch this space.
When to upgrade your CPU
How long does a CPU last? Like GPUs, CPUs will last about three to five years before they start holding you back. Upgrading your CPU is an easy way to get a huge leap in performance on modern games. Especially with 2025’s shift towards PCIe 6.0, which will increase data transfer speeds and help your hardware work more efficiently. Sounds like a win win to us.
When you’re weighing up what to go for, some of the latest processors like the Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 9 series are a great shout. And if you notice your GPU isn’t performing properly because of an old CPU, it could be down to a CPU bottleneck. Which leads us nicely onto…
Avoid CPU and GPU bottlenecks
A CPU bottleneck or GPU bottleneck happens when one of the components limits the performance of the other one. So, if you try to pair a high-end GPU with an older (or cheaper) CPU – or vice versa – they won’t be working at their best. This can lead to lower frame rates, stuttering and uneven performance. Which can all be a nightmare, especially when you’re trying to top the leaderboard!
Signs of a bottleneck:
Choppy gameplay.
Sudden frame drops.
High system usage on one component, like a CPU maxing out while the GPU isn’t fully used.
Tools like MSI Afterburner or Windows Task Manager can help you check out your component usage. And they’re brilliant for spotting any bottlenecks, which you’ll then be able to sort before they become a problem.
RAM upgrades: how much do you need?
How much RAM do I need? Most serious gamers are rocking at least 32GB of RAM. While content creators and multitaskers (running a lot of intense programs at once) feel like 64GB is the sweet spot. At the end of the day, it’s going to be different for everyone. Just think about what you use your PC for most and build your amount of RAM around that.
Storage upgrades: the importance of SSDs
The difference between a run of the mill HDD and a speedy SSD can be game changing. Especially when it comes to load times and the overall speed of your machine. While PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs with speeds up to about 7,000 MB/s are already pretty fast, PCIe 5.0 and 6.0 SSDs look like they’ll be taking home the gold. In 2025, we’re expecting them to become the new standard, with potential read speeds over 10,000 MB/s. Now that’s quick.
Future proofing your gaming PC
With the latest games, developers are pushing PC gaming hardware to its limits. And if you want to get the most out of them and have all those graphical bells and whistles switched on, you need a PC that can keep up.
Here’s a few of our top tips for upgrading your gaming PC in 2025:
Start with a strong base – Build your setup around a quality motherboard, a big enough power supply, and expandable storage. You’ll then be able to upgrade bit by bit without having to overhaul absolutely everything at once.
Spread out any improvements – By planning and spacing out your upgrades, it’ll be way more budget-friendly. Plus, it lets you target any specific performance issues as and when they pop up. If low frame rates are throwing you off your game, change up your GPU first. While if you’re chugging through loading screens, it might be time for a new SSD.
Stay up to date with the latest tech – Keep an eye on what the big brands are working on. If you’re a PC geek like us, PCIe 6.0, DDR6 RAM and wider DLSS 3.5 support in games are all super exciting. And more improvements are coming all the time.
Think about your needs – Do you play a lot of big blockbuster titles? Or are those hidden indie gems more your vibe? You only need to build a PC that matches what you want to play. Don’t go crazy with the upgrades if you’re mainly playing Minecraft!
Upgrading with Currys: expert advice and quality components
How can Currys help with upgrading your gaming PC then? For a start, we stock a huge range of components from all the big brands you know and love. And with our Care and Repair add on, you don’t have to worry if anything goes wrong with them.
Then there’s our expert colleagues. Pop in-store and have a chat with one of our team, and they’ll be able to help you pick out some components that’ll slot right into your rig. It’s better to do this than risk buying parts that aren’t compatible!
We know that PC components can get pretty expensive too. Which is why we’ve got a few handy credit options and ways to pay if you need them. From our buy now pay later offering to Currys Flexpay and PayPal pay in three, there’s something to suit everyone. It’s ideal for when you need to spread the cost on that new bit of tech.
If you’re gaming on PC, there’s a good chance you’ll be playing through Steam. Here’s everything you need to know about Steam. And if it’s your very first gaming PC build – and you’ve got no idea where to start – we’ve got your back. Check out our piece on how to build a gaming PC (for beginners).
