Upgrade cpu or graphics card in my old pc?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Solution
nostall
Sort by date Sort by votes
digitaldoc

digitaldoc

Expert
Ambassador
Oct 31, 2003
5,213
0
36,960
Both your CPU and GPU are generations old.

The conventional wisdom would be that if you wish to game, the upgrade should be the GPU.

However, your MB will support a Core 2 Duo chip, which is a big move up from a Pentium D in performance and efficiency. On top of that, you can get a C2D for under $10, so I would try that first, although you will benefit from a GPU upgrade as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-E6300-1-86Ghz-Fsb1066Mhz-Lga775/dp/B0017PJ0K8/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1427079527&sr=1-4&keywords=e6300
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
3,244
12
23,865
that "new" card will perform almost identically to the one you now have in your system: buying it would be a waste of money. it is only one tier above your current card in the attached video hierarchy chart:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html
If you are going to spend money on a new graphics card, then try to find one about 4 tiers above yours.
HOWever, there is a point of diminishing returns: your system is so old that anything much above 4 tiers is going to be severely restricted by your CPU and the rest of the system and may require more power then your PSU can provide.
It is kind of drastic action, but if you want to game, even on medium settings, it might be time to build a new PC.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
T

Thymios Papageorgakis

Honorable
Aug 28, 2013
5
0
10,510


Hello nostall and thank you for your interest.
Althought building a new PC is the best choice, i want to wait for a couple of years to afford this option. Thats why i'm looking for a low cost GPU to increase mainly the FPS in games. Because i dont know much about hardware can you propose me a GPU from the upper tiers that will be compatible with my motherboard and it won't bottleneck my CPU?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
T

Thymios Papageorgakis

Honorable
Aug 28, 2013
5
0
10,510


Hello digitaldoc and thank you for your advises.
Setting at C2D do i need a new cooling fan for CPU? And secondly, should i change BIOS ?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
3,244
12
23,865

Well, any card that you get that is from any tier 4 or more above your current CPU will BE bottlenecked by your D. If you get the C2D, then you would probably be safe going up as far as 6 or 7 tiers above your card with no bottlenecking in either direction. Just keep in mind that any of the older cards are not designed for some of the more recent games of the last 2-3 years: you are still investing in old technology.




Digitaldoc's suggestion is a good one; no, your current cooler will probably work fine. As I recall the Pentium D chips ran really hot, with the C2D's running much cooler; if your cooler works on the D then it should be fine on a Core Duo.
Re. the BIOS; I would try the new CPU first, your current BIOS may support it.
 
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