At a glance Top AMD mini PC deal picks Acemagician S3A—$429 (20% off on Amazon) Acemagician Kron K1—$279 (12% off on Amazon) Bosgame P3—$440 (20% off on Amazon) Top Intel mini PC deal picks Acemagic V1—$259 (19% off on Amazon) Geekom GT2 Mega—$1049 (19% off on Amazon) Beastcom M1 Mini—$145 (19% off on Amazon) Whether you’re looking for a productivity mini PC, something for gaming, or just a budget-friendly machine with a small footprint, we’ve got you covered. The team at PCWorld continually sorts through all of the daily mini PC sales and puts together a curated list of the best deals available. Finding the right deals can be tricky, however, because there are so many things to consider, from the configuration to the price. Fear not! I’ve been covering mini PC deals for a long time — and PCWorld has tested thousands of PCs over four decades — so let me help you out. I select our favorite deals by thoroughly examining the list of specs, overall design, user feedback, and general value. The RAM, SSD, and CPU all matter significantly in mini PCs, and if you’re not careful, you may select a “bare-bones” rig that makes you bring your own memory and storage. All of the picks below are hand-selected for not only their performance, but most importantly, their value. I’ve also included some helpful answers to common questions about buying a computer at the bottom of this article. If you’re considering a laptop instead, be sure to check out our best laptop deals, or for more desktop choices check out best computer deals roundup instead—each are updated daily. Updated Dec 8, 2025 to reflect the latest deals and prices. Best deals on AMD mini PCs Amazon Acemagician S3A, AMD Ryzen 7 8745HS/16GB DDR5 RAM/512GB SSD/Radeon 780M iGPU/triple 4K support—$429 (20% off on Amazon) If I were to pick a single mini PC deal right now, I’d go with the Acemagician S3A for $429 because that’s a great price for the specs. It’s more than capable of handling your daily workload, browsing, streaming, and even light gaming thanks to the Radeon 780M integrated graphics. Acemagician Kron K1, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U/16GB DDR4 RAM/512GB SSD/triple 4K support—$279 (12% off on Amazon) The Acemagician Kron K1 is a great budget deal right now for only $279. With 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, you’ll be able to accomplish all of your productivity needs. It would also work well as a streaming or multimedia device as well as a smart home hub—giving you centralized control without breaking the bank. Bosgame P3, AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS/32GB DDR5 RAM/1TB SSD/triple 4K support—$440 (20% off on Amazon) If you’re looking for a bit more juice, the Bosgame P3 for $440 is the mini PC to go for. Not only does it pack 32GB of RAM and a generous 1TB SSD, but the Ryzen 7 processor is ready to handle more intensive tasks should you need it. The fact that the RAM is DDR5 at this price point makes it even more of a great deal. GMKtec M7, AMD Ryzen 7 Pro 6850H/16GB DDR5 RAM/1TB SSD/quad 4K support, Oculink—$420 (25% off on Amazon) Personally, I think the GMKtec M7 deal here is a sneaky bargain. Sure, it comes with less RAM than the Bosgame above and a slightly weaker CPU, but it makes up for it with additional 4K and Oculink connectivity—meaning you can easily hook up an external GPU should you decide to get your game on. GMKtec M5 Plus, Ryzen 7 5825U/32GB RAM/1TB SSD/triple 4K support—$368 (8% off on Amazon) As an alternative to the M7 model, you could opt for the GMKtec M5 Plus deal for $368 instead. You won’t get the same gaming capabilities, but more RAM—even if it is DDR4—for less money is always a plus, especially if you’re looking to use it for work or productivity tasks. Plus, it comes with expansion slots for RAM and storage if you want to upgrade it even further in the future. Geekom A9 Max, AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370/Radeon 890M/32GB DDR5 RAM/2TB SSD/quad 4K support—$1,100 (8% off on Amazon) For a top of the line mini PC packed with powerful components, go with the Geekom A9 Max for $100 off. The Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 is a very powerful CPU that is not only capable of 1080p gaming combined with the 890M GPU, but also breezes through AI tasks. Ample RAM and SSD storage along with excellent connectivity complete the package. It’s still expensive, but $100 off is better than nothing, right? Best deals on Intel mini PCs Acemagic V1, N150/16GB RAM/1TB SSD/dual 4K support—$259 (19% off on Amazon) This deal for the Acemagic V1 is just a good overall bread-and-butter mini PC deal. The N150 processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM means it’s powerful enough to handle your productivity and everyday work tasks. It comes with enough SSD storage to save just about everything you need—and includes an additional M.2 slot in case you want to upgrade later. It might not be fancy, but this is a good price for a mini PC that’ll be sufficient for most everyone’s needs. Geekom GT2 Mega, Intel Core Ultra 9 285H/Arc 140T/32GB DDR5 RAM/2TB SSD/quad 4K support—$1049 (19% off on Amazon) If you’re looking for an Intel mini PC that can do it all, then the Geekom GT2 Mega is the one to buy. Packed with a Core Ultra 9 processor, DDR5 RAM, and ample 2TB of onboard SSD storage, this will easily handle everything you throw at it. It’s a full desktop replacement with a smaller footprint and cheaper price tag. Plus, thanks to the Arc 140T GPU you can do all of the esports gaming you want or even play modern AAA games at 1080p with decent frame rates. Beastcom M1 Mini, N100/16GB RAM/512GB SSD/triple 4K support—$145 (19% off on Amazon) True to its name, the Beastcom M1 Mini mini for $145 is, well, a beast—an entertainment beast at least. Its triple 4K support is practically unheard of at this price. This is meant to be an entertainment mini PC thanks to its ultra-small footprint and excellent connectivity options. However, those looking for a productivity or work mini PC should probably look elsewhere. GMKtec K10, Core i9-13900HK/32GB RAM/1TB SSD/2.5G LAN WiFi6/quad 4K support—$600 (17% off on Amazon) The GMKtec K10 deal for $119 off is a solid bargain thanks to its powerful i9 CPU. Plus, the addition of a 2.5G ethernet port and Wi-Fi 6 support means it is adept at handling most networking tasks you might throw at it. To top it all off, it can support up to four 4K displays, one of which is a DisplayPort 1.4 capable of 8K as well. IdeaCentre Mini, Core 5 210H/16GB RAM/1TB SSD/dual 4K support—$600 (25% off on Lenovo) To the naked eye, this IdeaCentre Mini deal for $600 might not seem like a good value. But it comes with a couple of hidden extras that make it worth the higher price. Support for Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and DDR5 RAM are just some of the advantages. Add to that the reliability and high build-quality of Lenovo machines and suddenly this becomes a more than worthwhile mini PC deal this week. Mini PC deals FAQ 1. What should you look for when buying a mini PC? The first thing you have to check off your list is just what configuration you need to get your job done. Are you going to use your new mini PC for browsing only? Then a cheap budget-friendly device with a decent CPU and 16GB of RAM will do the trick. Do you want it to be able to juggle a bunch of apps and not choke on 50 browser tabs? Then a more powerful CPU and at least 32GB of RAM would be better. Do you want to do some light gaming in your downtime? Look for a device that comes with a GPU or Occulink connectivity to hook up an external GPU instead. Are you looking to utilize the mini PC as a home server? Your priority then should be a large SSD—2TB or more. There are devices for each and every one of these scenarios, and they’re all quite affordable. The best part is that mini PCs are… well, small, so they can be placed practically anywhere depending on your intended use and available space. They also support multiple monitors out of the box, which makes it easy to replace your old, larger desktop and you won’t even need to pay for extra hubs. 2. Can a mini PC replace a desktop computer? For most people, the answer is “yes”! Mini PCs are definitely powerful enough to replace desktops for most users, especially if you’re going to use it for work, browsing, or streaming movies. If you want something for photo and video editing, or even gaming, there are models that allow you to do that, but they’ll cost a bit more. If you’re into hardcore gaming, however, you’re still better off with a proper gaming PC or laptop. 3. Can a mini PC run modern games? Mostly, yes. But it will ultimately depend upon the mini PC you buy and which modern games you want to play. Some high-performance mini PCs can run modern AAA games. You might not be able to run them at the highest settings though, and performance will depend heavily on the specific hardware. If you do want to game on a mini PC, look for powerful models with dedicated discrete GPUs such as an Nvidia RTX or AMD Radeon rather than integrated graphics. Alternatively, you can opt for cloud streaming services to game on less powerful mini PCs, which bypasses the need for high-end hardware. 4. Which mini PC brands are reliable? Some of the most reliable mini PC brands are Minisforum, Beelink, GMKtec, and Geekom. Of course Apple’s Mac minis are also excellent computers if you prefer using macOS. Brands such as Asus, Lenovo, HP, and Dell all make high-quality smaller-footprint PCs, but they might not fill the same niche and/or they are typically more expensive. Read...

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Nvidia is reactivating a feature that many of you may have already written off: The new Game Ready driver 591.44 brings back PhysX support for selected older games. For owners of a GeForce RTX 50 graphics card, this is a very relevant change — especially if you enjoy playing classic games with elaborate physics effects. Why PhysX is important – and why it was removed PhysX has been a mainstay in PC gaming for many years, creating realistic effects for fabrics, smoke and particles in titles such as “Borderlands 2” and “Batman: Arkham City.” But Nvidia cancelled PhysX support at the beginning of 2025: New RTX-50 series graphics cards could no longer accelerate PhysX calculations in 32-bit games via GPU. As a result, the calculations landed entirely on the CPU — with significant performance losses compared to prior generation GeForce cards. Some gamers reacted with a hilarious, yet totally functional workaround: They plugged an older Nvidia card into their computer just to be able to continue using PhysX effects. Driver 591.44: PhysX returns – but only for select games With the current driver, there is now a turnaround. Nvidia is introducing a so-called “Custom Support” level. This is not a complete return of the old 32-bit support, but rather individually created profiles for a hand-picked selection of particularly popular PhysX titles. These nine games now benefit from GPU acceleration again: Alice: Madness Returns Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Batman: Arkham City Batman: Arkham Origins Borderlands 2 Mafia II Metro 2033 Metro: Last Light Mirror’s Edge Nvidia has announced additional support for “Batman: Arkham Asylum” for the first half of 2026. Whether other games will follow remains to be seen. Nvidia writes that it has initially focused on the most popular classics that are still frequently played today. PhysX technology originally comes from Ageia, which developed its own physics processor unit (PPU) around 20 years ago. Nvidia took over Ageia in 2008 and integrated PhysX calculations directly into the CUDA cores of its own GeForce graphics cards. This made the additional PPU card superfluous, but also tied the effects firmly to Nvidia hardware. Driver also brings optimizations and bug fixes In addition to the return of PhysX, Nvidia’s new Game Ready driver offers further improvements: Optimizations for “Battlefield 6: Winter Offensive” and “Call of Duty: Black Ops 7”, especially in conjunction with DLSS 4. Fixes for graphics artifacts in “The Witcher 3”. Stability fixes for Adobe Premiere Pro. Driver 591.44 is available for download as usual via the Nvidia app or the Nvidia website. If you play classic games with PhysX effects, the update should bring noticeable improvements — often significantly higher frame rates and reactivated graphical effects. If, on the other hand, you only play modern titles, you will primarily benefit from the general optimizations and bug fixes. Read...

Building a gaming PC is one of those activities where restraint can be difficult. Naturally, you want to get the best PC that your money can buy. But in the decision-making process it’s easy to overstretch and end up spending way more than you need to. Here I list five of the most common ways PC builders waste money when building a gaming rig. Don’t go too big with the power supply It’s easy to over-spec your power supply and go too big. That doesn’t mean you don’t want to upgrade when you need more power. For example, say you have a less powerful graphics card like an AMD 7600 XT running on a 500W power supply, but later on you find a good deal on an Nvidia RTX 3090 and want to swap that in. Because that card needs a lot more power than your power supply can support, you’ll need a bigger one. That’s a legitimate change that’s going to be worthwhile. But it’s easy to go too big. If you look at the difference in price between a 500W power supply and a 1,000W power supply, it can be substantial, so you should just use the power supply that matches your power needs at any time. Don’t over-spec the RAM Typically, you don’t need huge amounts of RAM in a gaming PC. Some games utilize more RAM than others, but for the most part you can get away with 16GB of DDR4 running at 3800MHz and be perfectly fine for years to come rather than splurging on the latest DDR5 RAM in a super-quick and large module. The price difference between the different speeds of RAM increases exponentially. If you take the difference between RAM running at 5,200MHz and RAM running at 7,200MHz, it can often be double the price. What you’ll often find, too, is that the RAM running at a higher transfer speed has a slower timing than the RAM with the slower transfer speed, so it doesn’t always make good sense to go for the RAM with the faster transfer speed and the higher price. Resist gaming editions or specialist hardware Manufacturers found out eons ago that if they put “gaming edition” or “founders’ edition” in front of a piece of hardware, it can be very tantalizing to buyers. That doesn’t mean the hardware is any better than the standard version, it’s usually just an aesthetic difference that gives that impression, like RGB for example. That said, gaming edition hardware usually costs a premium. So, if you’re shopping for anything and you see the words “gaming edition” or “founders’ edition” in the name, it doesn’t necessarily mean the item is bad, just don’t be fooled into thinking it’s going to give you an edge in performance — i.e., your cash can go further with a less expensive option. Avoid RGB components As well as buying expensive founders’ edition hardware, you may be tempted to buy gaming gear decked out with RGB. But if you really want to save money, you should avoid it. The truth is that your PC games are going to run the same regardless of whether you have RGB or not in your hardware, so buying more expensive RGB components isn’t a good idea. RGB truly is for show purposes unless it’s for keyboard backlighting, so carefully consider whether your money could be better spent on parts that deliver more bang for the buck. Pexels: Atahan Demir Don’t over-spec the storage If you look at two SSDs from different generations — PCIe Gen 3 and Gen 5 — you’ll notice a huge difference in price, in some cases upwards of $200. That would make you think there is going to be a significant performance difference between them, and under controlled conditions there is, but I guarantee you that you won’t notice the difference when you’re gaming and surfing the web and just using your PC for general computing. Even a high-MB transfer rate of 12,400MB/s is going to be hard to notice compared to a slower 3500MB/s transfer rate. To notice the difference, you’d need to be moving a large file from one location to the next, which unless you’re a professional that deals with large files, you’re not going to be doing. So, know that you can get away with a PCIe Gen 3 or PCIe Gen 4 SSD for gaming and don’t necessarily need a PCIe Gen 5 SSD. Related content Why PC gamers shouldn’t waste money on a PCIe 5.0 SSD 6 reasons to skip RGB lights in your PC Best SSDs: From SATA to PCIe 5.0, from budget to premium Read...

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Do you know what happens to the data and traces you leave behind on your PC and smartphone during your online activities? If not, you are in good company. The majority of people fear losing track of their personal data. But instead of just burying your head in the sand, take back control. Our guide takes a pragmatic approach: you should by no means give up online use, but rather bring back previously used services and functions from the cloud to your local IT at home. After all, much of what you have set up online for convenience at some point can be replaced again with virtually no restrictions. Time to say goodbye to the cloud! Windows without a Microsoft account, only log in to the apps For some time now, Windows setup has required an online account with Microsoft; in fact, the company no longer wants you to be able to use your PC without one. The online requirement not only affects data protection, but can also lead to problems if you want to use Microsoft apps with a second account. But you can do without it. When reinstalling the operating system, the mandatory online link can be deleted using the command oobe\bypassnro or a USB installation stick modified with Rufus. Our online guide to how to use Windows 11 without a Microsoft account explains, in more detail, both ways to do this. It’s also possible to switch from online to local login later. Important: Before permanently deleting the Microsoft account, it’s always a good idea to back up the documents, images, and other content stored in it. Tip: Even if you use your computer with a local account, you don’t have to completely do without Microsoft apps that require an online account. If you cannot use an app without logging in, first start to log in to it. In the next window, click on the Microsoft apps only option instead of Next and the system will continue to work locally. The plural in “Apps” should be taken literally here, as signing in to a Microsoft app also applies to all other apps, including the cloud storage OneDrive. To remove the apps-account link later, click on Accounts > Email and accounts in the Windows settings and on Remove > Yes under your online account on the right. Secure access to all data at home without online storage Cloud storage from Dropbox, Google, Microsoft and others is extremely practical because it synchronizes local files over the internet, making them available across all devices. Everything is always up to date automatically and in the background. However, what happens to the data stored there is difficult to keep track of. This is particularly true for the cloud-based image analysis of Google Photos, for example. As an alternative to US providers, choose a cloud service that is guarantees personal data protections or one that is based in the EU that is subject to the strict European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Protection against unauthorized access to sensitive content—and therefore also against the cloud providers themselves—requires end-to-end encryption. It encrypts the files locally before they are transferred to the online server. Unlike the previously popular Boxcryptor, Cryptomator also supports multiple cloud storages in parallel in the free version. The open source tool Cryptomator can also be used to encrypt data in Dropbox, Google Drive, or Microsoft Onedrive cloud storage.Cryptomator The open source tool is easy to set up and use. To encrypt data stored online, select a directory in the cloud provider’s local synchronization folder as the storage location when setting up the vault. You can also use a network hard drive (NAS) for online access to the data stored on it and the apps running on it. The device manufacturers usually offer a separate option for NAS access without having to worry about firewall configuration or port forwarding. Using a virtual private network (VPN), you can also remotely access the entire home network at home, including your smart home. Upload photos from your mobile phone automatically on your computer without the cloud What Microsoft offers for synchronizing smartphone images to a Windows PC beyond the clouds of Apple, Dropbox, Google, Microsoft and Co. is cumbersome, slow and therefore not very practical. The classic transfer via cable works quickly, but not automatically. There’s no getting around plugging in the connection and transferring it on your mobile phone. Tip: It is more convenient to transfer the recordings with the PC app Windows Photo Viewer using the “Import” function than via the file explorer. In principle, wireless image transfer is also possible via Bluetooth. However, this is slow due to the large amounts of data involved, repeatedly falters, and is therefore not recommended. You can find the function after pairing the PC and smartphone in the Windows settings under Bluetooth and devices > Devices > Send or receive files via Bluetooth > Receive files. The faster WLAN alternative via the Smartphone Link app integrated in Windows again requires a Microsoft account though. My Phone Explorer does this better; the tool transfers all images from the Android smartphone locally, offline, and quickly via WLAN. The prerequisite is that the mobile phone and Windows PC are on the same network (also via LAN cable) which thankfully, is practically always the case at home. With just a few settings, you can configure the MyPhoneExplorer tool so that it automatically synchronizes new pictures from the smartphone to the Windows PC at home.Sam Singleton This is how it works: After installation on the computer, start My Phone Explorer and click on the blue Sync button. In the setup wizard, activate the options Phone with Google Android-OS and WiFi and confirm with OK. On the smartphone, install the My Phone Explorer Client app from the Google Play Store and authorize data access and display via other apps. Start the mobile app and tap the QR code button in the top right-hand corner. Scan the QR code displayed on the PC in the setup wizard, authorize PC access to the phone and confirm again with OK. The two devices are now permanently linked. To use My Phone Explorer to automatically transfer your photos from the smartphone to the computer, click on File > Settings in the PC program. Here you activate the the option on starting MyPhoneExplorer. On the left under Multi-sync”, also activate the Sync photos entry and finish by clicking OK. Every time you now start your computer, My Phone Explorer transfers the new photos to the picture directory on the local hard drive. Further synchronization options can be found under Settings > Multi-sync > Sync files. Streaming devices, fitness watches, surveillance cameras and more Thanks to the apps provided by the device manufacturers, a network hard drive can be used for functions including playing locally stored music and videos. Without a NAS, the media center software Kodi (formerly XBMC) is a good alternative. Kodi runs on various platforms, including Windows PCs and Raspberry Pi. The Android app Gadgetbridge works entirely without the cloud and replaces the manufacturer apps of many sports, fitness and smart health devices such as the Amazfit Band 7 (right). IDG Whether smart home devices can be operated without the cloud depends on the specific device and manufacturer. Surveillance cameras that record images and videos locally are available from Eufy, Reolink, and TP-Link, among others. Many smart home or smart health devices, which involve particularly sensitive data, also work without a cloud, even though the manufacturer does not intend for them to do so. On Android smartphones, the Gadgetbridge app replaces the official apps and therefore often replaces the cloud requirement. Gadgetbridge processes all data locally on the mobile device and even allows you to change devices thanks to the import and export function. Remember, the best way to avoid personal data on the internet is to not publish it in the first place, or at least to publish it sparingly. Smartphones without Google Because smartphones can now be used for almost everything and most people have them with them all the time, comprehensive user profiles can be created using the data collected: on interests, purchasing behavior, communication, movement, and much more. “De-Googled” systems aim to prevent Android devices from sending data to Google so that you retain control over your data. An easy-to-use alternative to the Google operating system is /e/OS. The system offers its own app store and can be installed on over 200 phones, with the so-called Easy Installer available for some models. There are even some smartphones with pre-installed /e/OS are also available to buy. Another alternative—curiously only for Google’s own Pixel smartphones—is Graphene OS. The current version is based on Android 15 and moves apps that require Google’s Play services and therefore extensive rights to the protected “Confidential profile” area. If the confidential profile is only activated when necessary, the included apps do not run and therefore cannot send any data. Both systems require some familiarization; their installation and operation are well documented on the Internet though if you wish to take the time to educate yourself. Read...

Is your PC slow, programs start sluggishly, and current games stutter? This does not automatically mean that you need a new computer. Targeted upgrades are often enough to significantly improve performance. In this guide, you’ll find out which components are really worthwhile – from SSD and RAM, to graphics cards and processors, through to coolers, fans, and peripherals. SSD: Faster storage for everyone An SSD (Solid State Drive) is the simplest and most worthwhile upgrade of all and provides the biggest performance boost per dollar invested in everyday use. Anyone still working with an old hard disk drive (HDD) is wasting time unnecessarily. However, SSDs differ in terms of design and technology. Classic 2.5-inch models use the older SATA interface and achieve up to 550 MB/s, while modern flash memory in M.2 plug-in card format can be plugged directly into the mainboard and deliver data rates of several thousand megabytes per second via PCI Express (via the NVMe protocol). These NVMe drives are therefore significantly faster, but require a corresponding M.2 slot on the motherboard. Our article“SATA, PCIe, and M.2: The slots on your motherboard, explained” also provides clarity here. Corsair PCIe 4.0 models such as the Crucial P310 or WD Black SN7100 offer up to 7,000 MB/s, making them ideal for gaming or video editing. Even faster are PCIe 5.0 models such as the Kingston Fury Renegade G5 or Crucial T710, which achieve transfer rates almost twice as high at over 12,000 MB/s. However, these high-end models are primarily worthwhile for professional applications, large video files, or particularly demanding users, as they generate more heat and are significantly more expensive. If you have an older system that can only boast SATA connections, you will still benefit enormously: A 2.5-inch SSD (such as the Crucial BX500) for around $60 will get even old PCs up and running again. It’s important that the motherboard supports the appropriate connection, i.e. M.2 for NVMe or SATA ports for 2.5-inch SSDs. Kingston Tip: Cloning old systems saves you time as you take over Windows and programs. However, this method uses a little more storage space because old system files, temporary data and possibly faulty structures are also copied. A new installation takes longer, but ensures a tidier system with a little more free memory. Be sure to check out our list of the best SSDs for even more great upgrade options. Working memory (RAM): More room for multitasking If Chrome has 20 tabs open and Excel reacts sluggishly, more RAM is usually the easiest solution. And upgrading is also less complicated than many people think: open the housing, release the side clips on the slots, remove the old latches, and insert the new modules firmly. Then after switching your computer on, usually the system will recognize the memory automatically. G.Skill Today, 16GB is standard for office users, 32GB is worthwhile for gamers and creative types, and those who regularly work with large photos, videos, or music projects will even benefit from 64GB. Currently, 16GB DDR4 can cost less that $50; kits such as the Kingston Fury Beast or Corsair Vengeance LPX are good options. DDR5 RAM, such as the G.Skill Ripjaws S5 kit, offers higher clock rates, lower power consumption and more bandwidth. However, this requires an up-to-date motherboard and modern processors: DDR5 is supported by Intel from the 12th Core generation (Alder Lake) with chipsets such as Z690, B660, and newer, and by AMD from the Ryzen 7000 series (AM5 platform) with B650, X670, or X670E boards. DDR4 therefore remains the first choice for older systems, while DDR5 is the future-proof option for new PCs. Above all, gamers should consider which DDR5 RAM is currently the best choice. Dual-channel operation is also important: If two identical modules run in parallel, the memory controller can process twice as much data at the same time, which can increase performance by up to 15 percent depending on the application. It’s therefore worthwhile to always install RAM in pairs and make sure there are free slots for both. Swapping out smaller modules pairs can maximize performance, stability, and value for money. Graphics card (GPU): The biggest upgrade for gamers If you want to enjoy games in high quality, there’s no getting round an up-to-date graphics card (GPU). The AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT with 16GB or Nvidia Geforce RTX 5060 Ti with 16GB offer sufficient performance for Full HD resolution (1080p). If you want to play in WQHD (1440p), you should opt for a graphics card such as the Radeon RX 9070 or Nvidia Geforce RTX 5070. For 4K gaming, cards like the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT or Nvidia Geforce RTX 5070 Ti are the minimum required to deliver smooth results. Video memory (VRAM) is just as important as pure performance. Today, it should be at least 12 GB so that modern games have sufficient buffer for textures and effects. Cards with less memory are increasingly reaching their limits, especially at high resolutions. Before buying, you should check whether the power supply delivers enough power (at least 550 watts) and whether the correct connections are available: PCIe power connectors are the cables used to supply the graphics card with power in addition to the mainboard. Older power supplies often only have 6- or 8-pin connectors, while new GPUs sometimes require special 12VHPWR connectors. Also, make sure there is enough space in the case: many modern graphics cards are long and occupy up to three slots. Mifcom If you don’t game, you can save yourself the GPU upgrade. This is because the integrated graphics solutions of modern processors (such as Intel UHD or AMD Radeon Graphics) are completely sufficient for office, streaming, or everyday tasks. Processor (CPU): Computing power for those who need it A CPU upgrade is only worthwhile if the processor really slows things down – and if the new CPU is a good technical fit for the system. Compatibility with the socket and chipset as well as support for the existing RAM are important. Depending on the age of the PC, it may also make sense to change the motherboard so that you can install a modern processor. For many users, a current six-core processor such as the AMD Ryzen 5 7600X is completely sufficient. If you absolutely need an Intel CPU, then the Intel Core i5-14600K is similar to the AMD CPU in terms of performance, but is typically more expensive. Nevertheless, both offer enough power for gaming, office, and multimedia, but both require motherboards with suitable sockets: Intel’s 14600K relies on an LGA1700 socket with a Z690, B660, or Z790 chipset, while the AMD Ryzen 5 7500F requires an AM5 motherboard with a B650 or X670 chipset and DDR5 RAM. More demanding users opt for eight-cores such as the Ryzen 7 7800X or Intel Core Ultra 7 265K, which deliver more performance in computing-intensive applications, but also require up-to-date platforms. Anyone coming from an older platform (e.g. Intel’s eighth Core generation or the Ryzen 1000 series) almost always has to change the motherboard and RAM as well. Although this increases the effort and costs, it also brings greater efficiency, better energy management, and future-proofing. A CPU replacement is rarely worthwhile for pure office computers. An SSD instead provides a more noticeable improvement here. If you need a lot of CPU performance, you should go straight for a modern 12- or 16-core processor such as the AMD Ryzen 9 9900X or AMD Ryzen 9 9950X. Intel currently isn’t competitive in this area, so we cannot make a recommendation here. Aorus Motherboard: A centerpiece for future upgrades A motherboard change usually goes hand in hand with a new CPU, as sockets and chipsets often change. This makes the replacement more complex than a RAM or SSD upgrade, for example, as the CPU, cooler, RAM, and cabling usually have to be completely reassembled during the upgrade. This can quickly become a challenge for beginners, as many sensitive components are affected. Anyone who dares to take this step should therefore prepare well or seek expert help. Whether the effort is worth it depends on how old the system is and which interfaces are required. As a rule of thumb, if your computer is more than five years old, a motherboard upgrade is usually worthwhile. Modern motherboards differ significantly in terms of size, connectivity, and features. The form factor determines the size of the board and therefore what the housing can be: ATX offers the most slots and expansion options, Micro-ATX is more compact and a good mid-range option, while Mini-ITX is primarily intended for small, space-saving systems. Aorus Technical features such as PCIe 5.0 slots for graphics cards and fast SSDs, several M.2 slots for additional memory, and sufficient RAM banks are important. A good power supply (VRMs) ensures stable performance, especially with powerful CPUs. Integrated functions such as Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and USB-C also increase convenience and future-proofing. A solid mid-range board typically costs around $200. Those who upgrade frequently or plan for the long term should invest a little more, as the motherboard forms the foundation of every system. CPU cooler: Targeted upgrading instead of overcooling A cooler upgrade is particularly worthwhile when new processors are installed or older systems are subjected to higher loads. Boxed coolers quickly reach their limits. Anyone switching from a Core i5 to a Ryzen 7, for example, should immediately plan for a more efficient cooler. Models such as the Arctic Freezer 36 or the Bequiet Pure Rock Pro 3 offer significantly more cooling reserve for $50 to $60 and remain whisper-quiet. For applications where CPUs get particularly hot – such as rendering or overclocking – AiO (all-in-one) water cooling systems from $100 are a good choice. However, AiO cooling is not automatically always the best choice. Phanteks However, it’s important to check whether the new cooler physically fits into the case before buying: For air coolers, the height is the most important factor, so that the cooler does not hit the side panel. For water coolers, there must be sufficient space for the radiator and the mounted fans – often at the top or front of the housing. Socket compatibility and housing size are equally important. A targeted cooler upgrade can improve stability, volume, and service life without breaking the budget. Case fans: Airflow efficiency for old and new systems Many PCs run too hot because the case ventilation is inadequate. Especially after a CPU or GPU upgrade, better airflow can be crucial. Two 120mm fans – one blowing in at the front, one blowing out at the back – significantly improve the cooling performance and cost less than $30. Models from Arctic or Noctua combine efficiency with low noise output. It’s worth cleaning or replacing the fans when upgrading. Dust filters, PWM control, and the correct air flow direction are more beneficial than additional fans alone. RGB light remains a matter of taste, the decisive factor is the temperature advantage. Bequiet Peripherals: The finishing touches An upgrade can also make sense outside the case as well. Those who work a lot will benefit from an ergonomic setup with a good monitor arm and flicker-free display. There are many good 27-inch 1440p monitors with 144 Hz that can be had for under $400 which are equally beneficial for gaming and working from home. The best mechanical keyboards with linear switches or quiet buttons offer more precision when typing or gaming. While a high-quality mouse with a low weight and precise sensor ensures control and comfort. Asus In general, the upgrades mentioned cost comparatively little, but increase productivity and well-being – the ideal finishing touch after a successful PC upgrade. Conclusion A targeted upgrade is almost always worthwhile. SSD, RAM, and graphics card deliver the greatest performance per dollar right off the bat, while CPU and motherboard upgrades can payoff in the long term. If you look after your PC regularly, keeping your components clean and upgrading wisely can keep your system running at peak performance for many years without having to buy a completely new one. Read...

Analysis - Headline writers have had their fun calling it `Coster`s Last Stand`, and like the general`s doomed battle, it ended with a crushing fall, writes Craig McCulloch. Read...