Is it worth upgrading my old PC, or buying new?
If your PC is struggling with games, you might not need a new one. Sometimes one or two new parts make a big difference. Other times an upgrade is money wasted. Here is how to tell which.
What can be upgraded
- Graphics card: the biggest upgrade for games. It decides how games look and how smoothly they run.
- SSD: if your PC still uses a hard drive, an SSD makes Windows and games load much faster.
- Memory: going from 8GB to 16GB can stop stutters in bigger games. Read how much memory a gaming PC needs.
Check these before you upgrade
- Power supply: this is the box that powers the whole PC. A stronger graphics card needs more power and the right cables. An old or weak power supply may need replacing too.
- Case space: modern graphics cards can be long and thick. Measure the room inside the case.
- The processor: an old processor can hold back a new graphics card. The card then waits for the processor and you do not get what you paid for.
- Windows 11: it needs a fairly recent processor and a security chip called TPM 2.0. If your PC cannot run it, that is a strong sign it is time to replace.
When replacing is better
Replacing is usually the better choice when several of these are true:
- The processor is old and would hold back a new graphics card.
- The PC cannot run Windows 11.
- You would need a new graphics card, power supply and memory all at once.
- The motherboard only takes an older type of memory or processor.
Once the list of parts gets long, the cost can come close to a new PC. A new PC also gives you newer parts throughout, not just in one place. A refurbished gaming PC can be a good middle way if money is tight.
We can help you decide
Sandbox Computers does PC upgrades at our shop in Worcester. We can look at your PC and tell you honestly whether an upgrade is worth it. See our PC and laptop upgrades page, or call us.
Our gaming PCs under £1,000 right now
Picked from our shop's list by graphics card strength, then price. Prices update by themselves.
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Mistletoe RTX 3060 refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 5500 + RTX 3060 12GB
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (6 cores, 12 threads)
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 12GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 500GB WD Blue 2.5-inch SSD (tested)
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£949
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays well
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays well
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays well
- Marvel Rivals Plays well
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Typhoon RTX 2070 refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 5500 + RTX 2070
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (6 cores, 12 threads)
- Graphics
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 8GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 256GB SSD + 1TB 3.5-inch hard drive (tested) + 1TB hard drive
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£799
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays well
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays well
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays on low settings
- Marvel Rivals Plays well
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
Refurbished1080p gaming
Sandbox Frost RX 6600 refurbished gaming PC
Ryzen 5 5500 + RX 6600
Made for 1080p screens: Fortnite, Valorant, Minecraft and Rocket League play well. The newest big games may need lower settings.
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500 (6 cores, 12 threads)
- Graphics
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 8GB
- Memory
- 16GB DDR4 memory
- Storage
- 500GB WD Blue 2.5-inch SSD (tested)
- Windows
- Windows 11 Home not included (optional extra, installed by us)
£869
Built to order
Games this PC plays
- Fortnite Plays well
- Minecraft: Java Edition Plays well
- Minecraft (Bedrock Edition for Windows) Plays well
- Roblox Plays well
- VALORANT Plays well
- Counter-Strike 2 Plays well
- League of Legends Plays well
- EA SPORTS FC™ 26 Plays well
- Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Plays on low settings
- Marvel Rivals Plays well
Comes with an RGB case - you can swap it for a non-RGB case if you prefer.
Sold by Sandbox Computers, Worcester
The short answer
Upgrade if the PC is fairly recent and only one or two parts hold it back. Replace if the processor is old, Windows 11 will not run, or you need lots of parts at once. Every PC we sell is built and tested on our own bench in Worcester.
If you decide to buy new, see the best gaming PCs for under £1,000.
Questions people ask
What is the best upgrade for an old gaming PC?
Usually the graphics card, because it does most of the work in games. If the PC still has a hard drive, an SSD is the next best upgrade for speed. Check the power supply and case space first.
Will a new graphics card work in my old PC?
Often, but check three things. The power supply must be strong enough and have the right cables. The case must have room for the card. And the processor must be quick enough not to hold the card back.
Can my old PC run Windows 11?
Windows 11 needs a fairly recent processor and a security chip called TPM 2.0. Many older PCs do not meet this. If yours does not, a new PC may be the better choice.
Do you upgrade PCs?
Yes. Sandbox Computers in Worcester does PC upgrades. Call 01905 673738 and we can tell you whether an upgrade is worth it for your PC.