Upgrading your PC on purpose should always be taken as a privilege, given that many people get stuck with a computer for a long time, if they can afford one at all. In my case, I was recently forced to replace my work laptop against my will, as my old one suddenly died despite my best troubleshooting efforts. I could've taken it to a local repair shop -- but even if it was fixable, it probably would've taken days or weeks with a high price tag attached. I'm just lucky my most important files were in the cloud and on an external SSD.
Backup critical files elsewhere
The more backups, the better
This won't matter much if you only use your system for gaming, or if all your personal and professional work is on the web. Otherwise, you probably have important documents stored on your PC, such as invoices, tax records, or government identification. You might also have photo, video, and music collections that aren't mirrored on your smartphone. If losing any of these things would cause major problems, it's essential that you back them up immediately. I'm dead serious on that point.
If losing certain files would cause major problems for you, it's essential that you back them up immediately.
The simplest option for most people is to upload files to a cloud service, such as OneDrive, Google Drive, or iCloud Drive. OneDrive is preferable for Windows users -- while you'll have to upgrade to a paid plan to upload more than 5GB, the trade-off is that if you ever have to start fresh with a PC, all of your media and documents should return exactly where you need them. For similar reasons, Mac users should turn to iCloud Drive.
An external SSD is better suited as a supplement to a cloud backup rather than as a replacement, simply because an external drive can be lost, corrupted, or destroyed. That said, using an SSD is better than nothing, and it may be your only option if you can't afford recurring subscription fees. You can buy a 2TB portable SSD for $150 or less, whereas Microsoft charges about $70 per year for 1TB of OneDrive space.
Research specs and compatibility
Don't jump in blind
This is most important if you're upgrading components on an existing PC. Motherboards have limits on the CPUs, drives, RAM modules, and graphics cards they're compatible with, and your overall configuration needs to be matched with an adequate power supply. A PC with an Nvidia RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, for example, needs a 750W power supply at a minimum, and possibly as much as 1,000W if you want to pair that card with a high-end CPU.
When you're shopping for a new computer, make sure it can not only handle all your current apps, but anything you might want to run two or three years from now.
It's also important to consider form factor limitations. Some towers are too small for certain motherboards and graphics cards, and most laptops can't be upgraded at all beyond their RAM and storage -- if you're that lucky. As a rule, assume you'll need to replace your laptop completely when it's no longer capable of running the apps you want at a decent speed.
When you're shopping for a new computer, make sure it can not only handle all your current apps, but anything you might want to run two or three years from now. That can be tough to judge, yet you should at least try to overshoot your current app library's recommended specs. A graphics card that's merely functional today won't be able to keep up with future apps that exploit the latest rendering technology.
Tidy up hardware, software, and/or desk space
Simplicity is an ally
Before starting a component upgrade, it's best to install all the latest Windows updates first, including any third-party drivers. Microsoft and other companies are constantly working to expand hardware support and fix known compatibility glitches. In the case of a new graphics card, though, it's usually wise to uninstall your graphics drivers completely. Once the new GPU is in, then you can install the appropriate driver tech, preferably using the apps supplied by AMD or Nvidia.
In the case of a new graphics card, it's usually wise to uninstall your graphics drivers completely, then install the appropriate software once the new GPU is in.
This may also be a good time to uninstall any unnecessary apps and peripherals. Aside from freeing up space (physical and digital), this can reduce the chance of technical conflicts, and streamline your backups. There's no need to pay for a 2TB backup solution if you can successfully shrink your footprint under 1TB.
As for your desk, tidiness isn't just a matter of making room. Dust, crumbs, other debris can cause problems if they get into your electronics. The threat is especially high when you need to open a computer up, so take the time to wipe and vacuum as necessary. You may also want to buy an anti-static mat, though it's usually safe enough to upgrade a PC if you can find some other way of grounding yourself.
Learn best practices for the new gear
Keep things humming along
I actually hate the term "best practices." Often, it's just corporate jargon used to enforce what executives prefer -- but it does make sense here. If you don't treat new hardware properly, it can fail prematurely or deliver sub-par performance. In the case of an OLED laptop, for instance, it's absolutely vital that you set Windows to shut off the display after a few minutes of inactivity. OLED panels are more prone to burn-in than LCDs, so leaving one on for hours when images are static can both shorten its lifespan and (eventually) leave interface elements stuck onscreen.
A quick Google search, Reddit post, or talk with a store clerk should hopefully get you pointed in the right direction. Stay skeptical though -- if someone isn't trying to sell you something gratuitous, they may still be ignorant or misinformed. A safe philosophy is that you shouldn't have to push settings to extremes, or physically alter anything unless it's through an obvious add-on accessory, like an all-in-one (AIO) cooling system for a gaming PC.