Help Request low budget performance increase

iiiusion

Honorable
Mar 3, 2012
21
0
10,510
Hey guys, this is my computer's stats:
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I play PC games, mostly swtor. This build used to be sufficient to play on moderate/high graphical settings with virtually no lag, but now it lags alot. I experience choppy/rigid game play consistently now.


My question is: what's the best I can buy for $150 USD that will increase my computer's performance (in swtor). I used to play on High setting with almost no lag, that's what I'm used to and what I want to have back.

Also, is there anyway to restore my computer using software such as advance system care, CCleaner, etc? I figure, if it used to run that good then maybe it still can and I'm just not treating it well. Thanks!
 

BSOD BSTD

Honorable
Nov 21, 2013
966
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11,660
Get a new GPU in there, I don't know how much the GTX 960 is in dollars but its a good new card for the money.

With regard to cleaning your system, its always better to copy your files over to an external drive, format your hdd and do a full reinstall of windows, cleaning software just wont do as good a job.

Finally have a spring clean. Get all the dust out of the case, remove the ram sticks, blow on them and reseat firmly. Also take the heatsink off the CPU, remove the fan from the heatsink and give it a good clean. Clean thermal paste from CPU and heatsink with rubbing alcohol and MAKE SURE to reapply thermal paste (you'll need to buy some) before replacing the heatsink on the CPU.

If you do all of this it will be like a new PC ;) good luck!
 
myself I hold onto your funds..then ask for newnegg gift cards or pc parts for xmass and build a newer pc. if you lucky and fast there be some great black friday or cyber monday deals with bare bones or whole pc. with a new gpu you may not have a power supply that can run it. (low watttage or cheap unit for that age of a pc). also with old pc and new gpu sometimes there bios issues where the new card wont let the pc post. also any new gpu going to be bottlenecked by the old cpu.