Discover why upgrading the graphics card (GPU) is the most effective way to boost gaming performance in your desktop PC. Learn how a new GPU delivers higher frame rates and better visuals, as recommended for the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam.
Table of Contents
Question
A user wants to upgrade their desktop to improve gaming performance. What component should they upgrade first?
A. Graphics card
B. CPU
C. Hard drive
D. Wi-Fi adapter
E. Optical drive
Answer
A. Graphics card
Explanation
For gaming, the GPU has the biggest impact on performance.
The graphics card (GPU) is the primary component responsible for rendering images, animations, and video in games. Upgrading the GPU has the greatest direct impact on gaming performance, including higher frame rates, improved visual quality, and support for advanced graphical features like ray tracing and higher resolutions. Most modern games are graphics-intensive, and if your current GPU is outdated or underpowered, it will bottleneck your system regardless of your CPU or RAM.
Industry experts and gaming hardware guides consistently recommend the GPU as the first upgrade for gamers seeking better performance. While upgrading to an SSD can improve load times and a faster CPU can help in CPU-bound scenarios, the GPU remains the most significant factor for smooth, high-quality gameplay in the vast majority of titles. Only after ensuring your GPU is up to date should you consider upgrading other components like the CPU, RAM, or storage, depending on your specific system bottlenecks and gaming needs.
For the biggest improvement in gaming performance, upgrade the graphics card first. This will provide the most noticeable boost in frame rates and visual quality for nearly all modern games.
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 exam and earn CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1101 certification.