What to upgrade to increase pc performance?

[Dragozoid]

Hey guys,

I would like to upgrade my pc to increase the performance. However, I am not quite sure what is bottlenecking my pc, what should I upgrade first?

Systems specs:

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01 - Operating System

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0101 - Operating System : Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.111118-2330)

0103 - BIOS : Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG

0104 - Processor : AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-Core Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.2GHz

0105 - Memory : 6144MB RAM

0106 - Available OS Memory : 6142MB RAM

0107 - Page File : 1960MB used, 10322MB available

0108 - Windows Dir : C:\Windows

0109 - DirectX Version : DirectX 11

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02 - Processor

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0201 - Caption : AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-Core Processor x4 ~2200MHz

0202 - Current Clock Speed : 1100MHz

0203 - L1 Cache : 128,00 KB

0204 - L2 Cache : 512,00 KB

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03 - Video Adapter

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0301 - Card Name : ATI Radeon HD 4850

0302 - Manufacturer : Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

0303 - Chip Type : ATI display adapter (0x9442)

0306 - Display Memory : 3318 MB

0307 - AdapterRAM : 512,00 MB

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06 - Motherboard

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0601 - Model : NARRA3

0602 - Manufacturer : ASUSTek Computer INC.

It also says above that current clock speed is 1100 MHz, while processor is capable of doing 2200 MHz. Is this normal or are some settings wrong?

I think that the graphics card is what's slowing down the frame rate, so I presume I'll have to upgrade that first. I'm looking for components in mid-range budget.

What is your advice on this?

Thanks in advance!

 

[akxpckwb]

Definitely get a new GPU. What's your budget?

 

[Dragozoid]

Mid-range budget. What would you advice?
Thanks for fast reply!

 

[akxpckwb]

Mid range budget? What's that? 300$?
I'm not sure on the prices but the 560Ti or a 6870 are good

 

[chinchilla_bob]

$150 will get you something like a 6870, next logical jump would be the 560Ti around the $250-$280 mark

 

[geofelt]

Presumably, you are interested in better frame rates for your games.

To help clarify your 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.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.

Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.


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.

 

[loneninja]

What resolution are you running games at?

Your CPU reading 1100mhz is normal, it's Cool n Quiet, slows down the processor when idle to conserve power.