The PC hardware scene has taken a real beating during the AI explosion, which means routine upgrades to PCs are drastically more expensive than they used to be. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars on more RAM or a new SSD, why not grab yourself (or a loved one) a cheaper sub-$100 upgrade?
As noted, you're probably not going to be able to find a $100 component upgrade to increase your frame rates or jump from 1440p to 4K; at best, you might be able to source yourself a new power supply. So what can you add to a PC for $100? And what makes a good sub-$100 upgrade?
Well, the early obvious candidates are improved connectivity, such as a Wi-Fi card or USB-C expansion slots for memory card readers. You could also add a snazzy LCD screen (albeit not Corsair's $250 Xeneon), new RGB fans, or even an AIO cooler.
Crucially, just because you're spending less than $100 doesn't mean you have to cheap out on budget or unknown brands. You can still find great quality down at this price bracket from reputable companies like Noctua, TP-Link, and beyond.
Here are some of the best PC upgrades you can buy for less than $100.
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Stephen is Tom's Hardware's News Editor with almost a decade of industry experience covering technology, having worked at TechRadar, iMore, and even Apple over the years. He has covered the world of consumer tech from nearly every angle, including supply chain rumors, patents, and litigation, and more. When he's not at work, he loves reading about history and playing video games.