Needing help with my PC!

[Saidosha]

Replacing the CPU usually means replacing the motherboard, which can then further cascade into compatibility issues with the type of RAM you have or slots for other hardware. In the end, it's not really something I would encourage a newbie try without supervision.

Anyway, knowing what OS it is running on (Windows 7, 8, 10, etc.) is also an important factor, particularly relative to 32/64-bit. 16gb of RAM is more than likely overkill if you don't do video/streaming or HD art work, with the most likely culprit of bottlenecking being your video card, as mentioned, with perhaps a nod to picking up an SSD to port your OS to and run more vital programs from. Again, though, this requires finding out what slots your motherboard supports (Stuff like PCI, PCI-E, SATA, RAID, etc.) so you get the right parts or don't have to further haggle with adapters if it's even possible to. Further advancements may also mandate a more powerful power supply or PSU and potentially additional cooling so it doesn't all overheat.

If said PC is actually a laptop, then pretty much forget anything we said and know you're more than likely stuck with what you got.

[Krotoan]

If said PC is actually a laptop, then pretty much forget anything we said and know you're more than likely stuck with what you got.

I did not even think of this possibility. Good point. Laptop upgrade options are usually limited to SSDs and more RAM. Both of which have negligible returns for your framerate.

[GlacialFlowers]

I did not even think of this possibility. Good point. Laptop upgrade options are usually limited to SSDs and more RAM. Both of which have negligible returns for your framerate.

I'm actually using a PC, not a laptop, but I appreciate the info.

[GlacialFlowers]

Super helpful, and yeah, since I don't know what I'm doing, I'm nervous to mess around with my PC. Probably a stupid question, but my GPU has to be compatible with my motherboard right? I've only just started learning about PCs so I know very little.

Thanks!

[GlacialFlowers]

Replacing the CPU usually means replacing the motherboard, which can then further cascade into compatibility issues with the type of RAM you have or slots for other hardware. In the end, it's not really something I would encourage a newbie try without supervision.

Anyway, knowing what OS it is running on (Windows 7, 8, 10, etc.) is also an important factor, particularly relative to 32/64-bit. 16gb of RAM is more than likely overkill if you don't do video/streaming or HD art work, with the most likely culprit of bottlenecking being your video card, as mentioned, with perhaps a nod to picking up an SSD to port your OS to and run more vital programs from. Again, though, this requires finding out what slots your motherboard supports (Stuff like PCI, PCI-E, SATA, RAID, etc.) so you get the right parts or don't have to further haggle with adapters if it's even possible to. Further advancements may also mandate a more powerful power supply or PSU and potentially additional cooling so it doesn't all overheat.

If said PC is actually a laptop, then pretty much forget anything we said and know you're more than likely stuck with what you got.

Super helpful, and yeah, since I don't know what I'm doing, I'm nervous to mess around with my PC. Probably a stupid question, but my GPU has to be compatible with my motherboard right? I've only just started learning about PCs so I know very little.

Thanks!

[Krotoan]

Super helpful, and yeah, since I don't know what I'm doing, I'm nervous to mess around with my PC. Probably a stupid question, but my GPU has to be compatible with my motherboard right? I've only just started learning about PCs so I know very little.

Thanks!

Yes, check what kind of expansion slots are on it and also what kind of power supply is in your computer. If you have a prebuilt computer and can post the model # it would be easily searchable for other specs you may have omitted.