Upgrading friends old PC, Intel + AMD routes please.

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
cer

cer

Honorable
Jan 5, 2014
143
1
10,685
My friend needs advice, his system specs:

QkHygE8.jpg

AMD Radeon R7 260X .
Just one Seagate 320GB Serial ATA hard drive .
I got PSU info now:
cUs163D.jpg


He plays WoW on lowest graphic settings atm, he wants to be able to turn up graphics still retain around 60-100fps. Also wants to start recording footage, do some light editing.

He is willing to spend around 500 euros.

What would you upgrade?
 
Solution
geofelt
To help clarify your CPU/GPU 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 70%.
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 70% and see how you do.


You could also experiment with removing one core in the bios. This will tell you how sensitive...
Sort by date Sort by votes
photonboy

photonboy

Titan
Jun 20, 2006
21,567
13
85,015
OPTION #1:
Unfortunately, you are going to have to replace MOST of the system:

1) Motherboard
2) System Memory (DDR3 now)
3) CPU
4) Windows
5) Power Supply

His CPU was a little under powered, and he only had 32-bit Windows. Long story short there's little he can keep.

OPTION #2:
HD650 1GB (not 2GB with 32-bit Windows)

The second option is far cheaper but not as good obviously.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,398
4,193
174,240
To help clarify your CPU/GPU 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 70%.
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 70% and see how you do.


You could also experiment with removing one core in the bios. This will tell you how sensitive your games are to the benefits of many cores.

If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

If you need a cpu upgrade, your motherboard will support some faster cpu chips, including some quad core.
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=2741
You may have to go to ebay to find one.

Ram can be upgraded too.
To run more than 4gb, you need a 64 bit os.
You should be able to install a 64 bit version of w7 ultimate. I think a 64 bit dvd should have come with it. If not, borrow a copy.
Your current activation code will be good on 64 bit.

Your psu looks good enough to handle a stronger, more efficient graphics card. I think a GTX750ti would work.

Past those two upgrades, you are looking at a newer, more modern build.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom