New PC or upgrade enough?

[Javolis]

Hello, currently my PC specs are:

Intel Pentuim 4 640 3.2 ghz
3 gb ram
on board intel 82852 graphics

I was wondering if buying a newer video card would be enough to play games on this PC or is the processor too old and should I just buy a new pc?

Thank you.

 

[rolli59]

It will allow for some casual gaming with a card like HD4650/70 but starting anew is a better option if gaming is the plan.

 

[Javolis]

What kind of PC should I be looking for? I want to go intel. Is there a huge difference between i3 and i5?

 

[rolli59]

A good build would be I5 760 (bare in mind a new Sandy bridge platform coming out next month) P55 motherboard with GTX460 or HD6850 GPU.
I3 530 and I5 650 compared http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/118?vs=144
The gap widens if you go up to I5 760 which some people consider the sweat spot for gaming.

 

[Javolis]

Thanks a lot. I'm gonna buy that video card and start saving up for a new PC.