If you’re a gamer looking to improve your PC’s performance, you might be wondering what you should upgrade first: CPU or GPU? The answer isn’t simple, as it depends on many factors, such as the type of games you’re playing, the budget you have, and the specs of your current PC. However, in general, there are some guidelines you can follow to make an informed decision.
CPU vs GPU: What’s the Difference?
Before we discuss more about upgrades, let’s first understand what the difference between CPU and GPU is, and what their functions are in a gaming PC.
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of your PC. The CPU is responsible for executing the instructions given by the operating system, applications, and games. The CPU also regulates the flow of data between other components, such as RAM, hard drives, and GPUs.
CPUs typically have multiple cores, which are independent processing units that can perform tasks in parallel. The more cores a CPU has, the more tasks it can perform simultaneously, improving its performance.
The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is the component responsible for producing the graphics you see on the screen. The GPU takes data from the CPU and converts it into an image that can be displayed by the monitor.
GPUs typically have thousands of cores, which are very efficient at performing the complex mathematical calculations required to draw 3D graphics. The higher the GPU specifications, the better the graphics quality it can produce, such as resolution, frame rate, and detail.
What Affects PC Gaming Performance?
The performance of your gaming PC is not only determined by the CPU or GPU but also by other factors, such as:
- RAM (Random Access Memory): RAM is a temporary storage area used by the CPU to store frequently used data. RAM allows the CPU to access data quickly, without having to read from a slower hard drive. RAM also affects how many applications you can run simultaneously, without experiencing a drop in performance. The more RAM you have, the better your PC will perform, especially for memory-intensive games.
- Hard drive: A hard drive is a permanent storage area used to store the operating system, applications, games, and other files. Hard drives affect how fast your PC can load and store data. There are two commonly used types of hard drives: HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) and SSDs (Solid State Drives). HDDs use rotating magnetic platters to store data, while SSDs use memory chips that have no moving parts. SSDs are much faster, more energy efficient, and more durable than HDDs, but they are also more expensive. Replacing your HDD with an SSD can significantly increase the speed of your PC, especially for boot times, loading times, and file transfers.
- Motherboard: The motherboard is the circuit board that connects all the components of your PC. The motherboard determines the type of CPU, GPU, RAM, and hard drive you can use, as well as other features, such as expansion slots, USB ports, and audio. The motherboard also affects the stability and compatibility of your PC. If you want to replace your CPU or GPU, you’ll need to make sure that your motherboard supports it, or you may have to replace your motherboard as well.
- Power supply: A power supply is a device that converts the electric current from a power source into the appropriate voltage for your PC. The power supply determines how much power can be delivered to the components of your PC, and how efficiently it uses them. If you want to replace your CPU or GPU with a more powerful one, you have to make sure that your power supply can handle the extra load, or you may have to replace your power supply as well.
- Cooling system: A cooling system is a device used to keep the temperature of your PC optimal. A cooling system consists of a fan, heatsink, and sometimes coolant, which helps dissipate the heat generated by the components of your PC. If your PC overheats, its performance will suffer, and its components can be damaged. If you want to replace your CPU or GPU with a more powerful one, you have to make sure that your cooling system can cool it well, or you may have to replace your cooling system as well.