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Slightly older computer, want to upgrade a few parts

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  • Computers
  • Games
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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July 10, 2013 4:42:32 PM

Hi everyone. I was traveling for almost 2 years and never had a chance to use my computer. However now I'm back and I want to upgrade it and try some of the newest and best games. I don't know exactly what I want to upgrade.

Specs/other stuff I thought may be useful:

Speed: 3291 Mhz
1 logical processor
1 physical processor
HyperThreading: Unsupported
Windows 7 (64 bit)
Driver: AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series
Monitor Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
DirectX Card: AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series
Number of Logical Video Cards: 1
No SLI or Crossfire Detected
RAM: 10014 Mb

I hope this is everything. If not I'll try and find out. Price is somewhat a factor. I don't want to spend a huge amount, but I'll spend whatever is necessary.

Thanks!

More about : slightly older computer upgrade parts

July 10, 2013 5:00:54 PM

download and run cpu-z.
It will identify exactly what you have.
Also, can you identify the make/model of your power supply?

In general, gaming is mostly determined by the graphics card, and not so much the cpu.
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July 10, 2013 5:12:53 PM

The full report or just a section?
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July 10, 2013 5:19:52 PM

Needed info:
motherboard make/type
cpu model I suspect i3-3220 or similar which is capable
How much ram
gaphics card model exactly which 7800? If it is a 7870, it is quite capable
If the graphics card needs updating, then the psu will be a limiting factor.
The wattage is ok if it is a quality brand, otherwise the exact model/wattage
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July 10, 2013 5:21:10 PM

Without unplugging it, it's a Corsair GS600. Is that good enough or should I try and find more?
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July 10, 2013 5:24:07 PM

GS600 is good, we now know the psu.
You can install a card as good as a $650 GTX780.
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July 10, 2013 5:33:45 PM

Motherboard (straight from CPU-Z):
Manufacturer - Gigabyte
Model 2AC8 1.2
Chipset AMD RD9x0 Rev. 02
Southbridge AMD SB910/950 Rev. 40
LPCIO ITE IT8772

CPU:
Processor AMD FX-6100
Max TDP 95W
Package Socket AM3+ (942)
Technology 32nm
Specification AMD FX(tm)-6100 Six-Core Processor
Family F Model 1 Stepping 2
Ext. Family 15 Ext model 1 Revision OR-B2

RAM 10.0 GB

I looked in multiple spots and it only says HD Radeon 7800 series. No other number.

If you need more I'll try and find it.
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July 10, 2013 5:43:24 PM

There is a graphics tab on cpu-z which should tell you the graphics card.

Are you looking to significantly improve your gaming performance?
What is your budget?
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July 10, 2013 6:16:45 PM

That's what I'm on. It still says AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series.

Yeah, I'd like to be able to play the newest games not at full settings necessarily but medium. I don't have a specific budget in mind yet but ideally I'd like to spend under $700 overall, probably closer to 500 or 600 though.
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July 10, 2013 6:29:05 PM

If it is a 7870 you won't have to do that much to you build, what is you PSU (Power Supply Unit)?
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Best solution

July 10, 2013 6:49:30 PM

My version of cpu-z is 1.64.1 x64
You could be more specific and try GPU-Z which is graphics specific.

Regardless, your FX-6100 is not a particularly great cpu for gaming.
Few games use more than 2-3 cores, and the amd cores are not as fast as intel.
The FX-6100 is about a $120 part.

My rule of thumb for a gamer is to budget twice the cpu value for the graphics card. In this case, I am guessing that a 7850 or similar would be appropriate.

If you want to do significantly better with a $700 budget, I would start with a better graphics card. Perhaps a $250 GTX760 or a $400 GTX770.
Make the jump one of several tiers, or you may be disappointed.
Read this article on best gaming graphics cards for the money:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...

A cpu change is not so easy because it likely will involve a motherboard change too.
For that too, you want a decent jump in capability. Today, the i5-4560K at $220 or so is about as good as it can get. If you live near a microcentr, they will sell you one for $200.
Read this on gaming cpu's:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-o...
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July 10, 2013 9:38:45 PM

I tried GPU-Z as well which listed the same thing - AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series.

Thank you, all that is very very helpful. Couple questions: how much would a good motherboard cost then? Is there anything else you might recommend for upgrading/adding in terms of both hardware and software? Keep in mind, I have updated a few programs, but many are still outdated and I assume there are many other programs that are new or I've simply missed that might make things easier now.

Thank you so much. Very helpful.
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July 11, 2013 7:38:33 AM

Very strange that cpu-z or gpu-z does not identify the graphics card.
As a thought, could you be using integrated graphics? I think that might show up as 7800.
If you are using integrated graphics, then a $250 discrete graphics card would be a very significant jump in capability. Do you see a discrete graphics card installed in the pcie x16 slot? If so, look at it carefully, there should be a serial number label that describes the model/part number.
If you are using integrated graphics, I would suggest buying a very good graphics card as a first step. Here would be one example of a GTX760: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
When it comes time to upgrade the cpu, I suggest the i5-4670K. You can use any Z87 based motherboard. It should not cost much more than $120 or so. Here is one example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
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July 11, 2013 11:17:00 AM

Maybe this will help:

Chip - AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6818)
DAC - Internet DAC 400 MHz
Bios - 113-AD43800-102

Total available graphics memory - 2703 MB
Dedicated video memory - 2048 MB
System video memory - 0 MB
Shared System Memory - 655 MB

Don't know if that's helpful.
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July 11, 2013 1:42:00 PM

Another way... Is you monitor cable connected to someplace among all the I/o ports on the motherboard? next to usb ports, or such?
Or... is it connected to a port on one of the expansion slots?
There will typically be 4 or 7 expansion lots in the back.
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July 11, 2013 2:19:51 PM

The monitor cable is connected to (I believe) the motherboard, and right below it is where all the USB ports are.
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July 11, 2013 3:46:41 PM

In that case, I think you are using integrated graphics. ANY discrete graphics card will do a much better job.
I would start with a $250 GTX760 and keep your motherboard and cpu.
If you want to do massively better, budget $230 for a 4670K, a $130 Z87 motherboard, and a $400 GTX770.
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July 11, 2013 4:01:36 PM

Ok, great. How would I go about installing a new graphics card?
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