Where to start with upgrades? Long time reader, first time poster

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SilEighty

Reputable
Sep 14, 2015
3
0
4,510
To start I am partial to Intel, nVidea, and ASRock. I've built a number of PCs in the last fourteen years (I'm 33) but I've takes the last few years off to enjoy the birth of my son and raising him. My options are to either upgrade for Fallout 4 and Witcher 3 or just get a X-bone. My budget is $500.

Full DXdiag file is available but I'll give the short and sweet version:
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
Processor: Intel Core i7-2600 CPU @ 3.40GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM (4 x 2gig sticks, not the fastest either)
Mobo: ASRock Z77 Extreme 6
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 610
Display Mem: 4046 MB
Dedicated Mem: 1998 MB
 
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why_wolf

why_wolf

Splendid
Aug 28, 2015
3,532
26
26,940
You didn't mention why type of storage you have. If its a HDD I say get an SSD first as that would give you the most immediate and obvious upgrade for day to day stuff. After that its a toss up between RAM and the GPU. You mention gaming so I'd say get a new GPU. 8 gigs of RAM is fine (its what I have) moving up after that gives limited improvements depending on what you use the computer for.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,388
4,187
174,240
Your graphics card is entry level.
That is most likely your best first upgrade.

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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%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.

You should also experiment with removing one core. You can do this in the windows msconfig boot advanced options option. set the number of processors to less than you have.
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.
-------------------------------------------------------------

And.... Yes, a SSD is one of the most satisfying upgrades you can have.
You will never build again without one.
 
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M

Mercian

Distinguished
Feb 28, 2014
451
4
19,015
CPU is still well up to the task despite it's age. Like the guys said, graphics card and RAM, quite possibly your PSU depending what it is. Throwing $500 at the machine will make it very capable. Personally I would hold off on a SSD until you have bought the other parts.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

Titan
Oct 9, 2006
54,388
4,187
174,240
I would not spend any more on old tech unless it could be easily transported to a new build.

A graphics card is easy. A $130 GTX750ti would be a big graphics boost that will run on virtually any power supply over 300w. Yes, there are faster cards, you will get what you pay for at any price point.

If the contents of the current hard drive can be contained on a new ssd, you can clone the drive to a ssd which is easy.
I like Samsung evo and intel 730, both of which have free clone apps for their drives.

On ram, 8gb is usually sufficient, and I see no value in replacing the 4 sticks which is what you would need to do to increase ram.

Moreover, a cpu upgrade of some sort in the future is likely to involve Skylake and ddr4 ram.
 
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