The 10 Best PC and Workspace Upgrades You Can Make During the Day
A major PC upgrade, or even a better workplace, doesn’t have to be a huge project that takes up your time and energy. If you can order parts, there are some useful improvements you can make that will pay off when it’s time to work (or play). Here are some of them.
10. Switch to a newer, better option.
This is for PC builders. Even if you keep all the same components, there is nothing like a new case to give your computer – and your desk – a new lease of life. Maybe you want more easily accessible USB ports, or maybe you once bought a huge case and now prefer the compact model.
As long as you buy a smart product and don’t let the new case spiral into a new PC, you can eat your pie and eat it. If you’re looking for suggestions, we have our favorite PC cases and our favorite small form factor PC cases to get you started. You can also (and should) check out what the people at Logical Increments are offering based on your budget and what’s popular on PCPartPicker .
9. Update your display
A new display, a larger display, or an additional display can significantly impact your productivity ( or not , it will definitely make your desk look cooler). Whether you’re rocking the old 22-inch display you’ve always had, I don’t even have an external display, or you can use the screen space that a 4K display has to offer , now is a good time to upgrade.
Even if you don’t want to use full 4K, there are many affordable large panels that can give you more room to work. You can always use an ultra-wide display instead of multiple panels , or you can opt for a large, reliable and budget LED display to update the look of your desk and increase its utility.
8. Buy a new keyboard and mouse.
You use your keyboard and mouse every day, and there is no easier way to feel like a “new computer” than updating both of them. Sure, the insides of your PC will be the same as they always have been, but new peripherals, especially the ones you’ve got your eye on, can make a huge difference.
If you’ve used the keyboard and mouse that came with your computer, now is a good time to upgrade to a new one. Maybe try a mechanical keyboard (we love them here) or buy a new sleek gaming keyboard (and mouse). Sure, they are fun to play, but they can also help you get the real work done . If you’re looking for mouse suggestions, we’ve always been big fans of the Logitech Performance MX, but the new MX Master is a worthy successor . However, this is not the only option !
7. Upgrade your graphics card.
Again, this is for desktop owners (and builders), but a graphics card upgrade can be a big improvement for a PC that starts to show its age (or slows down when you’re trying to sit back and play some video games!) Of course, this isn’t always a smart investment. so you should think carefully before rushing into buying that card that everyone is shouting about these days. That said, if yours is up to date, and you really benefit from the upgrade , it’s easy to find even inexpensive cards that make the most of this new display we mentioned earlier and boost your system’s performance on your beloved. games.
6. Give yourself the best sound
Whether you love listening to music, or recording audio for podcasts, streaming, or just occasionally making Skype calls or video calls with coworkers, a new pair of speakers or headphones (and we have a few suggestions in the headphone department ) and a microphone can make a big difference. for crystal clear sound . Best of all, they don’t cost a fortune and the setup is simple enough to complete in a couple of minutes.
We’re big fans of Blue Yeti , but if that’s not your style, here are some of our other picks . If you’re still unsure, check out our guide to picking the best microphone for you, or check out some of our favorite headsets with attached microphones if that’s more for you.
When it comes to speakers, you have a variety of options, from simple bookshelf speakers you can connect to anything, great desktop speakers designed for PCs, to complete 5.1 surround sound systems . Choose what suits you and your space, but it will be better than the speakers that came with your computer or whatever is built into your laptop.
5. Add a new HD camera.
Whether you are thinking of streaming video, or simply want your visuals to match the crystal clear audio from the latest update, the new camera is for you. Chances are, the camera built into your laptop might not be the best, and it certainly isn’t adjustable. The new HD camera makes sure everyone can see you clearly, and you don’t end up being a blur on the screen when you start a Skype call or try to video call on Google with friends or colleagues when you are working from home. … In the worst case, if you don’t have a camera at all, you probably have a good one on your phone. We’ve got guides to help you turn your iOS device or Android phone into a webcam connected to your PC.
4. Add more comfortable power (stripes)
When you set up your desk for the first time, chances are you haven’t turned on all the power you need to connect everything you currently have. Perhaps you added some extension cords later, or worse, you daisy chain them for some reason. Stop this and buy yourself a good surge protector , or better yet, a good UPS to protect your equipment . Then attach a long server-style extension cable to plug into it and give you all the power you need for all of your equipment. It’s a better solution than big bulky extension cords hanging from the walls, and your cables will be easier to manage.
3. Upgrade the power supply.
Now we are serious. Updating a power supply may take a little time (however, no more than replacing all of your hardware in a new case!), But if you rock the one that came with your case when you built your computer, it will be too underpowered. for hardware you’ve squeezed into your build, or you’re having weird and bizarre problems with your system, it might be time for an upgrade. Don’t expect to save money on energy , that’s not what it’s about – it’s about stability and giving you enough energy to run whatever you want to run. Go to your PSU calculator and make sure the one you buy supports your system.
2. Add more RAM.
We’ve said before that most modern systems probably won’t benefit from more than 4GB of RAM , but that doesn’t mean yours will be no exception. If you are doing memory intensive tasks, playing at a high level, or using virtualization software for software testing or experimentation, you will need more – much more. In such cases, the new ceiling is 16 GB . Also, while RAM isn’t as cheap as it used to be, it’s still quite cheap, so in some cases it makes sense to just make the most of the motherboard and stop working.
However, just make sure you don’t spend more on RAM than other better and more valuable upgrades to your system. More RAM isn’t the best goal for improving performance, but if your system is running low on memory, you probably already know that, so full speed is ahead.
1. Install (or upgrade) the SSD.
If you have a computer at all built in the last few years, your boot drive is probably already an SSD . Wonderful! You may need another one – larger SSDs are cheaper now than ever, and even if you already have one, if it’s very old and slow, there’s nothing wrong with upgrading to a newer, faster one. Even if you have a laptop, your drive is probably easy to replace and replace, and the benefits will show up the first time you restart your computer.
If you need help picking a good one, here are a few suggestions , and of course, you can always find some good ones in Logical Increments and make sure they are compatible with your PCPartPicker gear . When it comes time to actually do the installation, make sure you take your files and settings with you and optimize them for performance .
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