PC Upgrade Checklist: What to Upgrade First
This checklist is designed to help you identify the single most impactful PC upgrade based on real-world symptoms. Follow the steps in order before spending money on hardware.
Not sure where to start? Use this checklist to identify your bottleneck. For a deep dive, read our guide on what to upgrade first or return to the PC Upgrade Path guide.
New to PC upgrades?Start with our PC Upgrade Guide →
Quick Decision Table
| If you experience... | You need... | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Slow boot times, sluggish apps | SSD | SSD Guide |
| Browser crashes, lag when multitasking | RAM | RAM Guide |
| Low FPS in games, choppy video | GPU | GPU GuideGaming Priority |
| PC freezes during heavy tasks, old software struggles | CPU | CPU Guide |
Priority Checklist
- 🎮Building for Gaming?
The rules are different. Don't upgrade randomly.Check the Gaming Upgrade Priority List →
- 1Check your Storage Drive.
Is it an HDD? If yes, upgrade to SSD immediately.
- 2Check your RAM usage.
Is it detailed as 80-90% full in Task Manager? Consider a RAM upgrade.
- 3Check your Gaming Performance.
Gamers experiencing low FPS should prioritize a GPU upgrade.
- 4Still unsure?
Read our comparison: Upgrade RAM or SSD First? or see our upgrade priority guide for a complete breakdown.