3] CPU Upgrade
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your PC. The CPU is the component responsible for executing the instructions of the operating system, applications, and games running on your PC.
The faster your CPU, the faster your PC can complete assigned tasks.
However, upgrading the CPU is not easy and cheap. There are a few things you need to pay attention to before upgrading your CPU, such as:
- Socket compatibility. You’ll need to make sure that the new CPU you want to install matches the type of socket that’s on your PC’s motherboard.
- Chipset compatibility. You should also make sure that the new CPU you want to install matches the type of chipset that is on your PC’s motherboard.
- BIOS compatibility. You should also make sure that the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) on your PC’s motherboard supports the new CPU you want to install.
- Power compatibility. You should also make sure that the power required by the new CPU does not exceed the power that your PC’s PSU (Power Supply Unit) can provide.
If all of the above is confirmed to be appropriate, then you can upgrade the CPU with the following steps:
- Turn off your PC and disconnect the power cord and any other devices connected to your PC.
- Open your PC case and remove the heatsink and fan from the CPU socket on your PC’s motherboard.
- Remove the old CPU from the CPU socket by pressing the lock lever and pulling the CPU out of the socket.
- Clean any remaining thermal paste on top of the CPU socket and under the heatsink using a clean cloth or wet wipes.
- Install a new CPU into the CPU socket by inserting CPU pins into the appropriate socket holes. Make sure the CPU direction matches the socket direction. Press the CPU gently until it enters the socket evenly.
- Lower the lock lever on the side of the socket to lock the CPU in place.
- Apply a new thermal paste over the CPU surface by dripping rice kernel-sized thermal paste in the center of the CPU surface or applying thermal paste thinly and evenly across the CPU surface.
- Attach the heatsink and fan back to the CPU socket by placing the heatsink over the CPU and pressing the screw or locking clip that holds the heatsink and fan in place. Make sure the heatsink and fan are firmly and flush together.
- Close your PC case and reconnect the power cord and other devices connected to your PC.
- Turn on your PC and check if the new CPU is detected by your PC’s operating system.
4] GPU Upgrade
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) upgrades are one way to improve your PC’s performance in terms of graphics, especially for playing games or running applications that require high graphics. The GPU is the component responsible for processing graphics data and displaying images on the monitor screen.
However, upgrading the GPU is not arbitrary. There are several things you need to pay attention to before upgrading the GPU, such as:
- Slot suitability. You’ll need to make sure that the new graphics card you want to install matches the type of slot that’s on your PC’s motherboard.
- Power compatibility. You should also make sure that the power required by the new graphics card does not exceed the power that your PC’s PSU (Power Supply Unit) can provide.
- Size suitability. You should also make sure that the physical size of the new graphics card is not too large to fit into your PC case.
If all of the above is confirmed to be appropriate, then you can upgrade the GPU with the following steps:
- Turn off your PC and disconnect the power cord and any other devices connected to your PC.
- Open your PC case and find the PCI-E x16 slot on your PC’s motherboard. Typically, the PCI-E x16 slot is near the CPU and is covered by a heatsink (cooler) and fan.
- Remove the old graphics card from the PCI-E x16 slot by removing the screws or locking clips that hold the graphics card in place. Carefully pull the graphics card out of the slot.
- Insert the new graphics card into the PCI-E x16 slot by inserting the bottom of the graphics card into the groove of the slot. Make sure the direction of the graphics card matches the direction of the slot. Press the graphics card gently until it fits into the slot flatly.
- Screw or lock clip the graphics card in place.
- Connect the power cable from the PSU to the power connector on the back of the graphics card if needed.
- Close your PC case and reconnect the power cord and other devices connected to your PC.
- Turn on your PC and check if the new graphics card is detected by your PC’s operating system.