Have you ever bought your eye on an Alder Lake CPU? A VR headset? A gaming mouse that looks like a Transformer got stuck halfway through transforming and now lives in agony? Perhaps you are holding out for an reasonably priced GPU, through which case you may have our sympathies. Or possibly you are not planning to fork out for any fancy {hardware}, however as a substitute you are occupied with making the leap to Home windows 11—although it’s best to in all probability hold off for a bit longer. Not less than till they carry again the blue screen of death.
What is the subsequent improve you have bought deliberate?
Listed below are our solutions, plus some from our forum.
Phil Savage, Editor-in-Chief, UK: In 2020, I launched into a collection of upgrades that, over the course of some months, grew right into a full Ship of Theseus new construct. The unique plan was merely to switch my CPU—buying and selling my ageing Core-i5 for a Ryzen 7 3700X. That meant grabbing a brand new motherboard—an MSI MPG X570. And, oh hey, that is bought an M2 SSD slot. Perhaps I ought to seize a 970 EVO, too. This continued till all that remained was my graphics card. Then, earlier this yr, stalking Discord servers with {hardware} alerts meant I used to be capable of snag an RTX 3080Ti. Now I’m completed. All being effectively, it ought to be few years earlier than I want to the touch the within of my PC once more.
Robin Valentine, Print Editor: For probably the most half I am the identical as Phil. I not too long ago purchased a brand new PC with the express objective of future-proofing, and with how wild the {hardware} market nonetheless appears to be in the meanwhile I am hoping it’s going to final me very long time to return earlier than I even have to consider graphics playing cards once more. The one thought that retains popping up in my head is that I would in all probability actually take pleasure in a brand new sound system. My present audio system are an affordable little bit of tat I bought on-line for barely something years and years in the past, and it is simply a type of issues I’ve by no means thought to improve whilst I’ve changed different bits. It’d in all probability change my life if I purchased some respectable ones.
Harry Shepherd, Guides Editor: My state of affairs is eerily just like Phil’s: I wanted to improve my Core-i5 6500 CPU, which necessitated a motherboard improve and, naturally, an M2 SSD. Then, to keep away from bottlenecking the top-of-the-line elements I ordered (and completely wanted), I additionally went for a 3080Ti—I waited for six months for a pre-built 3080-powered PC and was first in line for the Ti when that got here out, so I did not do something intelligent. I promised my associate that I would not want one other PC improve for an additional 10 years. I hope she hasn’t made a be aware of that.
So it seems I would really wish to improve my new PC already, at least six months after it arrived. Oops. The difficulty is, it solely has 1TB of storage. It is M2, certain, however I’ve felt the burden because the November video games have come flooding in. My new motherboard has two M2 slots, with the second being capped at third gen. So, if you happen to spot any respectable offers on a 2TB M2 3.0 stick this Black Friday, please let me know (and never my associate).
Lauren Morton, Affiliate Editor: Two new screens. I’m a type of monsters with a three-monitor setup. Do I even use all of them? Sure, clearly, and the way dare you even ask. I upgraded my major display screen to a 27″ Asus with a good refresh fee a pair years in the past. My two auxiliary screens have been with me since college—which is a very long time in monitor years. I believe it is time to get a brand new matching set with a lot smaller bezels, extra hz and better decision, however with out extra inches. My solely worry is that in the event that they’re an excessive amount of nicer than my major monitor I am going to all of the sudden discuss myself into shopping for three.
Dave James, {Hardware} Lead: I am an obsessive tech hoarder, however I’ve completely no have to improve my major gaming PC at this second in time. Which suggests clearly I’ve a full rebuild in thoughts, principally as a result of I actually need to put collectively an Alder Lake system. The 10900K that is in there proper now’s greater than I want for what I do with it, however that is like two generations previous now, and Dave desires the shiny new factor. Although Future Dave might be aggravated at As we speak Dave for such hubris when he is having to tear his completely useful machine aside to suit an entire new motherboard, CPU, and cooler THAT HE DOESN’T NEED.
Sarah James, Guides Author: I’ve actually simply (effectively, every week or so in the past) ordered a brand new Alder Lake CPU, motherboard, and RAM. I managed to snag an RTX 3070 just a few months in the past—an enormous improve from my GTX 970—and upgraded my major monitor on the identical time, however now it is time for the remainder of my system to catch up. Or it is going to be as soon as the elements arrive and I handle to construct it with out blowing up my home.
Tyler Colp, Affiliate Editor: The Alder Lake CPUs look pleasant, however I am going to in all probability follow my Ryzen 3900X in the meanwhile. My GPU state of affairs is settled for the second too: a 3080 is greater than sufficient for me. The one factor I might see upgrading is my monitor to one thing with a refresh fee greater than 144Hz, however that feels largely pointless until there’s an impressive Black Friday deal. I am fairly set with my present arrange. Something I would improve at this level would solely remedy a really area of interest drawback, like a barely larger monitor or some nicer RGB case followers. I am going to settle with what I’ve and see what comes up subsequent yr.
Morgan Park, Workers Author: I simply purchased a really good pre-built with a Ryzen 7 5700G and a 3060. It is nice, however I am embarrassed to say I already need extra energy. I would love to fit in a 3080 in an ideal world however that ain’t taking place anytime quickly. Principally, although, I want a much bigger desk that may match MOAR MONITORS. I’ve two, which had been lots after I plugged them in 4 years in the past, and now really feel embarrassingly restricted. I want one other one above me (possibly vertical?) for studying, one for watching one thing, one for gaming, and one for Discord. It’d look ridiculous, but it surely’d be so good.
Jody Macgregor, AU/Weekend Editor: Like Morgan, I not too long ago bought a pre-built as the one method I used to be going to get a brand new GPU. It is a 3080, so I will not be changing that in a rush. And I figured, why not get a Ryzen 9 5900X and a much bigger SSD and a monitor with the next refresh fee and mainly improve all the things on the identical time? I am nonetheless rocking an affordable Logitech keyboard and a mouse I do not also have a pad for although, and I might in all probability do with some extra USB-C ports. There’s all the time one thing.
ZedClampet: There are a few issues I need, however nothing that I want, which is an effective place to be. I would not thoughts upgrading to the most recent Quest or getting a ridiculously costly headset, however possibly I ought to simply save my cash for the subsequent time I even have an actual want for one thing. With one child in faculty and one about to start out, I am not as carefree with the money as I was. Then once more, generally I get New Tech Derangement Syndrome and simply can not help myself.
Alm: I am in an identical boat to Zed (minus the children). I’ve a rig I like and an enormous backlog of video games. And VR. I believe the one factor I need is extra video games for my VR headset. I might do with a 3rd monitor or possibly an ultrawide however that is not taking place this yr.
McStabStab: Proper now the lowliest element in my rig is my CPU, but it surely’s nonetheless an i7-7700K so even when I get to the purpose the place I really feel prefer it’s not pulling its weight it’s going to be overclocking time. I am going to probably follow Intel however might want to swap out the motherboard. Since I am going via all that bother I’ll improve the NVMe M.2 SSD storage from 500gb to 1tb as effectively.
Pifanjr: My PC is sweet sufficient to play the large backlog of video games I’ve, however I would love an additional SSD. Whole Warfare: Warhammer 2 now takes up over 120 GB of the 256 GB accessible on my present SSD: 60 GB for the sport itself and 60 GB so it could possibly copy itself totally when it patches. No concept why anybody thought it was a good suggestion to require your entire sport to be copied with a purpose to patch it, however right here we’re. Each time there is a patch I have to uninstall/delete a bunch of stuff to make room.
I am hoping to get a brand new one for my birthday in a few months. I’ll in all probability should improve the remainder of my {hardware} if I need to play Warhammer 3, however I am not planning on getting it on launch anyway.
mainer: I do not actually “want” something (PC-wise) in the meanwhile, as I am proud of the efficiency I get in video games, and with my monitor and related peripherals. One factor I want to attempt is a VR headset, as I actually, actually want to play Half-Life: Alyx. I might love to purchase a Valve Index (if I might even get one), however I am unable to justify that $1000 price ticket.
I’ve thought-about the Oculus Quest 2 now that the Fb requirement has supposedly been dropped, or I suppose I ought to say “Meta” now as a substitute (identical cow, completely different title, as my grandfather used to say). However I nonetheless contemplate VR as a luxurious gaming peripheral because it’s uncertain that I might use it each day like I might my PC.
Ryzengang: On a PC entrance I am actually proud of my setup. The one piece of tech I am contemplating in the meanwhile is a VR headset. I have been eager to attempt VR for a very long time. With information that the Oculus Quest 2 goes to be dropping the FB requirement finally I have been intrigued. Nonetheless monitoring the state of affairs, although. It isn’t clear when the FB requirement will really be eliminated and what it’s going to get replaced with. Nonetheless, the Quest 2 is clearly the very best entry into VR within the present market. The costlier headsets appear exhausting to justify.
Sarafan: It is nonetheless too early to make definitive statements in regards to the subsequent improve, as a result of I did the earlier one within the final quarter of 2020. However I will not deceive you, I’ve some plans for the longer term. Lots depends upon the costs and availability of {hardware}. I am going to in all probability follow my RTX 2070 Tremendous till the subsequent technology reveals up. I am occupied with one thing from the longer term RTX 4000 household, but when the costs stay so steep as they’re now, my plans must wait.
Additionally in a yr or two my Ryzen 5 3600 in all probability will not be sufficient to play newer titles comfortably. So the improve might be extra complicated than a GPU change. We’ll see how the necessities will go up within the upcoming two years. We additionally should take into account that I wish to play older titles which haven’t got large necessities, so I may be affected person with the subsequent improve.
Colif: I bought a brand new PC final yr, it nonetheless feels new (I do not consider it is 15 months previous already), so upgrades? In all probability a brand new GPU in just a few years, however about solely factor I can purchase are substitute exhaust followers for my case, however I do not want them, it is simply one thing I had deliberate on doing by now.
I’ve changed all the things (together with 5.1 audio system) within the final 4 years. I should not want something (fingers crossed), which makes it more durable for individuals who could need to purchase me one thing for Xmas.
I been on win 11 for 3 months. I jumped way back… it is probably not a purchase order since (if PC can run it) it is a free improve now however I understand how folks give it some thought so I depart it there. It is a lot like 10 I solely bear in mind I’m on 11 when answering questions like this.
I do not need something which is enjoyable as its additionally my Bday earlier than Xmas so household are confounded as to what to get me… as typical.
