UPGRADE YOUR WFH RIG
If you’re stuck at home, there’s no better time to upgrade an old PC and turn it into an ideal work machine. The necessary hardware for running common WFH software like Zoom is relatively minimal—four to eight gigabytes of RAM will suffice, along with a
CPU that is dual core or better. If you’ve got an ancient system knocking about, now might be the time to salvage what parts you can and transplant the system into a new case with a few upgrades.
Alternatively, you may want to consider snagging a GPU for any system running on integrated graphics, if only to make dualscreen setups run smoother. If your work typically involves any demanding software use (for example, the Adobe Creative Cloud suite or Blender), you’re going to need a PC that can handle it, especially if you’re accustomed
to using a powerful company-owned PC or Mac in your office. Building yourself a true workstation PC may prove challenging until the world has shaken off the effects of COVID-19, since many components have been hit by stock and supply issues due to the outbreak, but there are plenty of alternatives floating around. Consider checking out AMD’s GPUs if you can’t find the GeForce model you want. Don’t be afraid to buy a new CPU, even if it means replacing your motherboard.
You might even decide that you want an extra system to keep
your productivity up. Right now, you can pick up AMD’s Athlon 3000G for barely 50 bucks.
It’s a dual-core budget beauty with Radeon Vega 3 graphics that’ll easily carry any system hooked up to a 1080p monitor for video calls. Pair that with the free included cooler, a cheap B450 motherboard, and 2x4GB of DDR4 memory, and you’ve got the baseline for a great budget secondary system for less than 150 bucks in total.
Having a system that can handle what you’re asking of it will definitely make your working life smoother and less stressful.