Are you experiencing slow performance or frequent freezing on your PC? If the system is lagging or crashing even during basic use, it might be time to upgrade your CPU. However, in some cases, it’s possible that the issue can be resolved by troubleshooting instead of a costly upgrade.
Before picking a new CPU, analyze when the problems occur. If your PC is still new or lags only with particular software or activity, a few software/OS tweaks may fix it. But if it’s relatively old or nothing works properly, the CPU upgrade is due.
In this article, I will be sharing some important warning signs that indicate your CPU is dying and need a replacement. I shall also discuss some of the key factors and tips to keep in mind when upgrading a processor.
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7 Signs That Your PC Needs a CPU Upgrade [2023 Edition]
Note: From my experience as a professional PC builder, most CPUs last for at least 5 years, with the actual lifespan depending on usage and hardware capabilities.
1. Slow Computer Performance
One of the first few observations you would make would be about the overall speed of your PC. If your computer takes longer than usual to even do the basic tasks then it’s a sign that there is something wrong with the CPU.
The speed of a PC basically depends on the CPU’s ability to process the instructions in a specific period of time.
2. CPU Bottleneck
A CPU bottleneck is when a PC runs a resource-intensive application and experiences a slowdown in performance. This concern is particularly prominent in PC gaming, where the CPU handles essential tasks like input/output commands, basic arithmetic functions, and game logic execution.
You can check your CPU’s bottleneck situation by knowing how much of the CPU is actually utilized. You can do that by opening the Task Manager.
For routine usage, the utilization should be between 5% and 35%. For intensive workloads, the CPU utilization can be as high as 90%.
If your CPU shows utilization of 90% without any intensive workload then it’s a sign that there is a bottleneck and you should upgrade your CPU.
3. Inability to Run Certain Software or Programs
Most users buy a PC for a generic purpose like multimedia viewing, documentation or web-based usage. But some users need their PCs to serve a specific purpose.
For instance, gamers or graphics editors buy or assemble their PCs keeping their gaming or graphics editing needs in mind. If your PC does not work properly for a particular game or an application/software then there are chances that the CPU is not capable enough to pull it off.
These purpose-specific applications could be anything from architectural rendering to data mining. If your PC does not work efficiently to run your software/application or program then you would most likely need a newer CPU that supports it.
4. CPU Bottlenecking Your GPU
CPU bottlenecking for GPU arises when your CPU is not capable enough to process the graphical information the GPU provides it. In this case, the GPU is not able to function efficiently because the CPU is unable to pass on instructions quickly enough.
If your CPU is not capable enough or cannot process data in an efficient manner, it can create a bottleneck that hinders the GPU’s ability to perform at its maximum capacity.
For instance, if you are playing a game on your PC with graphics settings set to high or ultra-high and the GPU can handle rendering the demanding visuals smoothly but the CPU struggles to process the game’s logic and instructions at the same pace then it causes the GPU to wait for essential data, leading to decreased frame rates and overall performance.
5. CPU’s Single-Core Performance Constrained
Modern-day CPUs are mostly multi-core. Each core is capable enough to handle multiple instructions independently. Single-core performance refers to the processing of instructions that cannot be broken down or processed individually.
These instructions are required to be processed simultaneously across multiple cores. If the computing power of a single processing core is low by default then despite having multiple cores, the CPU will not be able to process complex instructions quickly.
This constraint is further exposed when the CPU is handling tasks that cannot be divided into smaller sub-tasks. These tasks have to be processed simultaneously across multiple cores.
6. High CPU Usage and Overheating
Every CPU has certain hardware and processing capabilities. They are designed to take a certain amount of workload efficiently. If the workload exceeds the hardware and performance design then the CPU starts generating unusual thermal energy in the form of heating. This is a sign that your CPU is overworked.
For instance, if you are playing and simultaneously streaming a high-end game on a low or mid-level CPU then it is very likely that after prolonged gaming and streaming sessions, the CPU will start showing performance inconsistencies and start heating up more than usual.
This is because the hardware and architecture of the CPU cannot simply facilitate the nature of processing your gaming or simultaneous streaming sessions need.
7. Outdated CPU Model
CPUs like all other components have generations and lineups. The technology as well as the architecture changes with every generation of CPUs. These changes include better build, efficient cores and most importantly, improved energy efficiency.
If you are using a CPU that is from an older generation or is based on an outdated architecture then you won’t be able to run modern-day applications on it with as much ease and efficiency as you would want. In these scenarios, partial upgrades won’t change the performance and you would have to upgrade the CPU altogether.
Factors To Consider When Upgrading a CPU
A modern processor breathes new life into an old computer. Evaluating your needs and budget now makes the upgrade process smooth. With the right match, you can benefit from a speedier and more stable system.
Below are a few factors that you should keep in mind before replacing a CPU:
1. Compatibility with Other Components
The first thing to check is to check the socket on the motherboard. Your CPU should be supported by the socket your motherboard has. Common sockets today include LGA1700 for 12th gen Intel CPUs, AM4 for AMD Ryzen CPUs, etc. For more close up look, learn the differences between LGA and PGA sockets.
The CPU and motherboard need to support the same RAM types. This includes parameters like DDR4 vs DDR5, max RAM speed, number of channels, etc.
Other compatibility checks include testing the chipset and bios version. Always check the manuals for the CPU and other components to verify compatibility and optimal configurations. The specs will help avoid issues.
2. Power Requirements
Energy efficiency is the biggest factor in the innovation of all major components like CPU. Apart from impacting the environment, higher energy consumptions also lead to higher heating and eventually damages to the component.
Check the energy ratings or proposed energy draw of the CPU before the purchase. Check the CPU’s Thermal Design Power (TDP) rating which indicates its maximum power draw under load.
Common ranges are 65W-125W for mainstream CPUs and up to 250W for high-end models.
3. Budget (Yes, it’s important too!)
Draw an overall budget first and then decide which parts you need the most for your purpose. For instance, gamers would want a high-end GPU while multimedia viewers would spend more on display devices.
But for every purpose, the CPU is equally important. Hence you must allocate a sizable amount from the budget for your CPU and adjust the budget around the costs of it.
4. Future-Proofing
Make sure your new CPU supports futuristic connectivity standards like the latest DDR, SATA and PCIe standards. Also, make sure you get a multi-core CPU that can handle bigger and more complex tasks in the future.
Tips for Upgrading Your CPU for Gaming
- Purpose: You must have clear reasons for making the upgrade. There is no point in overspending on high-end CPUs if you are not a professional gamer.
- Specs: Check for the specifications like the chipset and the socket that is supported by your motherboard and also the support for connectivity standards like the latest generation of PCIe, NVMe, SATA & DDR technologies.
- Generation: Check for the generation of CPU you are opting for. As iterated earlier, every new generation comes with advancements and improvements in performance and energy efficiency.
- Cores: Check for the number of cores your CPU has to make sure that the games that you play will be supported by the CPU cores’ abilities to handle single-threaded and multithreaded instructions.
- Address Clocking Issues: Overclocking is a very important factor when choosing a new CPU. It defines the CPU’s ability to adjust its clock speeds (speed to carry instructions) based on the workload.
Tips for Upgrading Your CPU for Content Creation
- Clear Reasons: You must have a plan for monetizing your content before spending big on a new CPU. It is not recommended to first buy expensive equipment and then plan out a monetization strategy. These expenses are after all part of an investment.
- Specs: Look for specs that facilitate graphical simulation and rendering because you will be editing and exporting various different formats of pictures and videos all the time. Hence a CPU that supports the latest generation of large storage devices with faster data rates should be your first choice.
- Cores: Check for the number of cores your CPU has. There should be appropriate multi-core performance to process graphics editing tools like animation and 3D rendering in an efficient manner.
- Address Clocking Issues: Overclocking as explained earlier plays a big role for content creators as well. Your CPU will have to adjust its clock speeds when it comes under heavy workloads like exporting videos in high-resolution formats like 4K.
Frequently Asked Questions
Professional gamers or graphics designers may have to consider upgrading their CPUs every 5 years because of their intensive usage. Other routine users may not have to upgrade their CPUs for as long as 8 to 10 years.
If you had a CPU with an older generation and architecture then upgrading to a newer CPU will definitely result in improved performance.
In the current scenario, 10 years are considered to be the maximum lifespan of a CPU. This is because of how fast technology is changing and how our usages evolve over the years.
Check for the CPU occupancy from the Task Manager. It should show less than 35% if the CPU is under regular usage and below 90% under heavy workloads. Other than that, checking on the reboot time or ability to run demanding software and programs is also a good way to check your CPU’s health.
You will experience performance inconsistencies like screen freezing, frame drops, slowdowns, regular crashing and frequently seeing the blue screen.
It depends on how old both are. If the motherboard is too old to accommodate newer components then you should upgrade the motherboard first. But if the motherboard is capable of slotting newer components and the CPU shows signs of slowdowns then you should upgrade the CPU first.
The mounting of a CPU is down to its socket. There are only a few handful of sockets so if you are getting a CPU from the same brand then most likely it will fit into the existing motherboard. However, if you change the CPU manufacturer or if you have a socket that is way too old then you might have to change the motherboard as well.
It is definitely easier to upgrade the memory but if your CPU is not capable of transferring data in the form of instructions in a fast and efficient manner then a memory upgrade is not going to have any impact. To solve performance issues like slowdowns and crashes, it is better to upgrade the CPU first.
Conclusion
I hope this article was insightful enough to help you understand when to upgrade a CPU. It is easier to come to a conclusion of making an upgrade if the processor and the computer overall are quite old.
But if it’s a relatively newer PC then try troubleshooting or making partial upgrades before considering major upgrades like the CPU.
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