When should you replace your PC?

The choice between piecemeal upgrades versus a wholesale replacement boils down to your current and near-future needs.

- ALAINA YEE

Q: How do you decide when it’s time to upgrade your PC versus replacing it altogether?

Most PC builders (we included) operate on a gradual shift toward new systems. When assembling a brand-new system, we buy the best hardware we can at the time. Then we extend the machine’s usefulness for as long as possible, be it through upgrading select pieces or overclocking parts. Finally, we replace the whole system when it no longer can keep up with tasks thrown at it, and we can’t stretch it any further.

Note: This approach applies equally to pre-built systems. However, with a pre-built system, you may find it more difficult to make upgrades—some vendors use custom parts that don’t easily accommodate changes.