Can I upgrade my PC for Gaming or should I replace it? Help!

Missbluenose1878 · Jan 30, 2014

I have an old PC (system summary pasted below) and it's pretty sluggish these days, especially when I want to play games like Sims 3 etc. My question is can I upgrade the graphics, processor and RAM or is it easier and cheaper to just buy a new PC? If it is the latter are there any good gaming PC's for between £500 - £800?

I have pretty limited knowledge of systems, I just like to play games but it's getting harder and harder. Thanks!

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Version 6.0.6002 Service Pack 2 Build 6002
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name LAURA-PC
System Manufacturer System manufacturer
System Model System Product Name
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 4300 @ 1.80GHz, 1800 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 0702, 08/02/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United Kingdom
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.0.6002.18005"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 3.00 GB
Total Physical Memory 3.00 GB
Available Physical Memory 1.73 GB
Total Virtual Memory 6.22 GB
Available Virtual Memory 4.55 GB
Page File Space 3.29 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys

PepitoTV · Jan 30, 2014

I wouldn't bother on upgrading that computer, given your budget you can get a really good machine.

That said, this means that you should learn how to build a PC (the web is rich in tutorials) or maybe get some friend with the knowledge to do so.

Here's an example of what you can get given your budget, which is a very high end gaming system for the price:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor (£106.99 @ Amazon UK)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler (£25.18 @ Aria PC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990XA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£79.63 @ CCL Computers)
Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£62.00 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£43.54 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card (£238.26 @ CCL Computers)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case (£47.98 @ Aria PC)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£45.00 @ Aria PC)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer (£11.96 @ CCL Computers)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) (£70.40 @ CCL Computers)
Total: £730.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-01-30 18:48 GMT+0000)

Missbluenose1878 · Jan 30, 2014

Thanks dude, that's really helpful! I'll have a look at some tutorials online and ask my brother who is better with the tech stuff than me

geofelt · Feb 24, 2014

In your list, I see no reference to graphics or a power supply.
If you do not have a discrete graphics cards your gaming performance will be poor.

One option would be to install a discrete graphics card, assuming your motherboard can handle a pcie X16 card.
That should improve your gaming immediately, and the card can be later transferred to a more modern cpu/motherboard.

To help clarify your options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely more cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.

Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.

Assembling a PC is quite easy. For anything more than a basic desktop, you will get more for your money by doing it yourself.

Your PC is close to obsolete, so I would not plan on spending any more on upgrading it.

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Can I upgrade my PC for Gaming or should I replace it? Help!

Missbluenose1878

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PepitoTV

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Missbluenose1878

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geofelt

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