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6 cheap PC upgrades that fix real problems (without breaking the bank)
When we think of PC upgrades, we usually think of a graphics card, RAM, maybe a CPU, maybe an SSD ... Coincidentally, all but one of those components are outrageously overpriced right now, and CPUs were never that cheap to begin with.
But the truth is that PC upgrades come in many shapes and sizes, and most of all, budgets. And yes, you can still get a meaningful boost for your PC under $50. Here's how.
Cheap PC upgrades can go a long way
But only if they actually fix something for you
I started building PCs in my early teens, so that whole culture of always chasing your next upgrade is deeply ingrained in my soul. Desktop owners know that one of the best benefits of a desktop vs. laptop is the upgradability, so it's all too easy to convince yourself that you need to spend a little more to get something a little better.
It's a common trap. Oftentimes, there are two types of meaningful upgrades: under $50 and well over $300. There's some leeway there depending on your PC, but let me explain.
Basically, you can often fix a small, but annoying thing about your computer at a small cost. Hence the under $50.
And if not? Unfortunately, more meaningful upgrades cost a lot more. CPU upgrades can technically be had for less than $300, but if you add a motherboard to that, you're creeping in on that $300 estimate.
So, the best way to upgrade your PC is to do so when you have an issue in mind that can be fixed within that budget.
6 PC hardware upgrades under $50 that make a lot of sense
Picking the right thing here makes all the difference
Although many PC parts are currently overpriced, those that aren't affected by DRAM shortages are doing very well. Here are some of my favorite budget-friendly PC upgrades that you can make for under $50.
1. Thermal paste
Thermal paste is the magical compound that sits between your CPU and its cooler, helping heat move out of the chip and into the heatsink. Magical as it may be, it's not going to give your PC a bazillion more frames per second (fps), but it should still be reapplied every so often. That's basic PC maintenance.
If your paste is old, dried out, or was badly applied, replacing it can shave off a few degrees and help your cooler do its job properly. This gives your PC more stability and some breathing room when under heavy load.
2. M.2 heatsink
If your SSD doesn't come with a heatsink, and your M.2 slot on the motherboard also doesn't provide one, then buying one is a good choice. It'll only cost you $5 to $25 (please don't spend more), and a heatsink can be a good solution to an SSD that's struggling with heat or slowing down.
Not every SSD needs one, but many of the higher-end ones do, so do some digging and find out whether yours already has one or not.
3. PWM fans
PWM fans are case fans that can adjust their speed dynamically instead of just blasting away at one fixed setting all day. That means they can help with two things at once: better airflow when your PC is under load, and less pointless noise when it is not.
This is a cheap upgrade that can give your PC a lot of air, and if you buy fans of the RGB variety, it gives you lots of extra bling. (Which you may or may not like.)
4. USB-C add-in card
Does your desktop have a USB-C port? No? Then it's time to fix that problem.
You can do this by buying a USB-C add-in card, which is a PCIe expansion card that gives you the port your computer should have already had. This isn't the kind of upgrade that boosts frame rates; in fact, it has nothing to do with performance. But it can fix a supremely annoying issue by giving you the port that's used by just about every device right now.
The catch is that you need to buy the right kind of card, because some are data-only and others add extra functionality.
5. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth add-in cards
If your motherboard doesn't offer Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity (or it does but the quality is subpar), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth expansion cards can breathe new life into your old desktop. A PCIe card gives you cleaner wireless networking plus Bluetooth for peripherals, and it's often more stable.
6. CPU cooler
Running a stock CPU cooler with a processor that tends to run hot is a death wish for your PC, especially when air coolers are so inexpensive. Sure, there are manyoptions that cost above $50, but you can easily buy a cooler from a brand like Thermalright for under $50, and it'll be a massive step-up over just about any stock option.
The best upgrade is the one that actually fixes something
Don't buy stuff for the sake of buying stuff
There are more options for PC upgrades, of course. But a lot of them break past that $50 budget, and the more you go out of that range, the more important it is to ask yourself: Does this actually fix any real problem?
All of the upgrades listed above address real issues and give you some quality-of-life features for your PC. They're not going to turn a budget computer into a beastly monster PC, but they'll help—and that's the only scenario in which they're worth spending money on.
If none of these addresses an issue you think your PC might have, you're probably better off just holding on to the money and finding out other ways to get a bit of a boost. After all, one of the most overlooked PC upgrades costs exactly $0.
