Best Ways to Upgrade Your PC this Holiday
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PC maintenance is an often-overlooked part of tech ownership. When was the last time you gave your computer a little TLC? From lagging speeds and overheating fans to glitchy software from security risks, neglecting your computer can bring some seriously unwanted consequences.
Computer gaming and Zoom chats with family are often high priorities during the holiday season. That’s why it’s a great time to invest in upgrading your machine.
These upgrades are simple to do on your own and offer the benefits of productivity and performance. Which one will be at the top of your wishlist?
Memory (RAM) upgrade
Random-access memory (RAM) is a necessary component for frustration-free computing. It’s the memory closest to the application you're using; it temporarily stores data while you game or create. You need it to launch applications, switch between apps, and get a responsive experience from your PC.
If you don’t have enough RAM, your programs could slow down, freeze, or even crash. Computer games become jittery, leaving you behind the competition. Luckily, there’s an easy fix for RAM deficiencies. Adding RAM is one of the most common DIY computer upgrades and can offer near-instant results for a sluggish PC.
RAM recommendations
How much RAM do you need? We recommend at least 16MB for gaming and using multiple applications at once.
If your PC is a few years old, you may decide to treat yourself. An HP laptop with 16GB DDR4-3200 SDRAM has just the right amount to handle all your favorite applications with ease. (If you want even more RAM, customize it further before purchase.)
Our pick:
HP ENVY Laptop (17t-cw000)
Storage upgrade
What do you think of when you hear the term “computer storage?” If it’s the old hard drives of the last decade, it may be time to upgrade your storage style.
Hard disk drives (HDD) work like a spinning record. They have to start up and get up to speed each time you turn on your PC. Because they move, they always make at least some noise, and they can wear out from all that motion – or even break!
A newer solid-state drive (SSD) doesn’t spin. It’s a chip-based storage device similar to a flash or thumb drive. It's much smaller than an HDD, so laptops made with this technology can often be more compact. With faster boot times, quicker application launches, and longer battery life, SSD just makes sense for someone hoping to boost their productivity this holiday season.
Our pick:
HP Pavilion All-in-One PC (27-ca1075z)
Storage recommendations
Migrating from HDD to SSD with a desktop can be quite a chore; laptops are even less accessible since opening a laptop case is a pro-only task. The best way to make the smart swap from HDD to SSD is to upgrade your entire PC.
An HP all-in-one with 16GB memory, 1TB of HDD storage, and 512GB SSD storage gives you the best of all worlds: affordable HDD storage with an SSD storage upgrade. You can choose to store your programs and data on one or both storage devices. Back up your important files and have plenty of room for games, videos, and photos, too.
Graphics card update
Video games require more computing power than ever before, with even simple platformers benefiting from a graphics card or graphic processing unit (GPU) upgrade. This component works to render graphics quickly, so you can edit videos without lag. The right component ensures you don’t see shadows or pixelated objects during the intense parts of your gaming session.
You only have to look at the requirements for the top-selling games and creative apps to see that an outdated graphics card just won’t cut it anymore.
Graphics recommendations
Consider upgrading your graphics rather than being left out when new titles are released. Upgrading one yourself isn't impossible, but you'll need to know your computer specs before you buy. Ask yourself these questions:
- How much memory do my favorite games require?
- Is it compatible with my computer’s motherboard?
- How much power does the new GPU use? Does my PC offer enough?
- Is there enough room in my computer case for this graphics option?
- Do I want a discrete GPU? Or should I get one integrated into my CPU?
It can take some time to figure out just the right graphics card for your PC. If you want to skip the guesswork altogether, it may be time to swap out your computer for a gaming PC. Most models advertised as gaming machines have adequate graphics support, so you can get started right out of the box. One option is the OMEN 45L Gaming PC with NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 Ti. It can be customized to 16GB or 24GB GDDR6 dedicated memory to assist in smooth gameplay.
Our pick:
OMEN 45L Gaming Desktop (GT22-1470se)
Software optimization & OS update
There are few things more frustrating than getting a notification that your PC will have to shut down to install updates. Yet, if you keep postponing these important updates, you could be putting your computer at risk. Keeping your operating system and essential drivers up-to-date not only helps performance, but it gets you access to security patches and fixes for known software problems.
If you don’t have your computer set up to install important Windows updates automatically, it’s something you can set up easily. Go to System Settings on your Windows PC, then see if you’re due for an update. You’ll see your last update, what was included, and options for future updates.
You can also boost performance by cleaning up your programs. Go to your Start button, then Settings. Select Apps, then Installed Apps. You can see what programs you have on your computer and uninstall anything you haven't used in a while.
Operating system recommendations
If your PC is really buggy, an operating system wipe or installation may be in order. You'll need to make a backup disk, document your OS license, and take some precautions so you don't lose all your data. This Windows tutorial will walk you through the details, and you can be on your way to a fresh new start with your same PC.
Cooling system enhancement
If you’ve noticed a lot of heat coming from your computer, noisy fans, or performance issues, you could be experiencing inadequate cooling. This commonly happens with PCs used for gaming and high-processing tasks such as photo editing, 3D illustration, data science tasks, and even using too many browser tabs at one time.
Ignoring this problem won’t make it go away. In fact, it could put your computer at risk of crashing for good. Adding some cooling features may help it overcome these strenuous sessions and make your PC last longer.
Options available include air coolers, such as fans. You can find them in the products you buy, such as high-performance GPUs and CPUs, or you can buy them separately and install them in different positions within your PC case. They take up some room, so you’ll want to be strategic about where you put them.
Another choice is a liquid cooling system. It uses coolant-filled tubes, much like your refrigerator uses, as well as some water blocks and a radiator. The temperature is monitored through software, and adjustments to the cooling levels can be made while gaming or using high-performance programs. This system also uses fans, though, so it's essentially a hybrid approach.
Cooling recommendations
Which cooling option should you choose? It may depend on your personal preference and your budget. Air cooling fans are more affordable than a liquid cooling system, but they can be noisy and take up a lot of space in your case. The fans need to be cleaned periodically to avoid dust build-up, and they do wear out after some time.
A liquid cooler doesn’t have as many motors and fan parts to care for, and it’s much quieter. If you are a serious gamer and want extra assurance that your device can keep up with your demands, you may find the extra cost worthwhile. It’s also a space-saver that looks much sleeker than a PC filled with fans.
The OMEN 40L Gaming PC comes with the signature OMEN Cryo Chamber™, a system with both fans and a liquid cooler radiator that moves cold air from outside the PC to the space around the CPU. It features the best of both cooling technologies.
Our pick:
OMEN 40L Gaming Desktop (GT21-1490xt)
Which holiday upgrade is best for you?
'Tis the season for gifts, and it may be the perfect opportunity to gift yourself a better PC experience. Many of the ideas on this list are simple upgrades that you can do yourself. If you find yourself needing to do two or more, however, it might be time to trade up with a completely new PC.
New PCs come with the operating system upgrades of Windows 11, the CPU technology found in the latest AMD Ryzen™ and Intel® Core™ processors, and your choice of RAM, storage, and cooling features. With many of the HP computers fully customizable, you can be assured your next desktop or laptop has everything you want to make the holidays brighter and your gaming sessions more productive and fun!
Don’t forget to treat yourself to a new monitor, headset, or gaming mouse, too. Premium tech that works together well can enhance your experience to new levels.
