Upgrading my pc

[thethinice]

Hi guys,

I have had my p6330f pc for about 2-3 years now and I am pretty happy with it. Last year I decided that I wanted to play Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, so I upgraded the built in graphics card to a GT 430, which I bought for $50. The game ran decent enough: 20 - 30 fps on low settings, full 1050 resolution. Then, later I bought Battlefield 3, and was less happy with its performance, as I had to lower the resolution from full to get a decent frame rate. The same happened when I purchased Alan Wake (surprisingly for me).

Now I am looking towards the future, and I know that I want to play Dishonored and ACIII and Far Cry 3 and plenty of other games when they are coming out, but I know my pc, alas, won't be able to handle those games well, if at all. I know that if I want to play those games (and others in the future), I am either going to have to upgrade my pc, or I shall buy myself a ps3 and hook it up to my monitor to play games.

Any suggestions or tips on how I could improve my computer's performance without spending alot? Either that or the ps3.



My pc:
http://www.pcworld.com/product/430033/hp_pavilion_p6330f.html?p=specs

My graphics card:
http://compreviews.about.com/od/video/fr/Galaxy-Geforce-Gt-430-1gb-Ddr3-Pcie-Graphics-Card.htm

My monitor, a samsung T220:
http://reviews.cnet.com/lcd-monitors/samsung-syncmaster-t220/4507-3174_7-32976441.html

My processor is a core i3 @2.93 GHz that came with the computer.



Any help is greatly appreciated, as I don't know much at all about upgrading a pc, only a little bit about graphics cards.

 

[manofchalk]

The processor is from an old socket, so you cant upgrade that without (essentially) replacing the whole rig, and the performance boost in games will only be somewhat small.

You have a little less RAM than optimal, but its not a big concern.

A better option would be a new GPU, that 430 is evidently insufficient. This card IMO is the best mid-range card out at the moment, Nvidia doesn't have a good competitor at its price point.
Sapphire HD7850. $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102998
That should play modern games at high-ish settings and last a good year or two of decent performance in new games.
EDIT: Just saw the resolution on your monitor, that GPU should be fine for a long while actually. The lower the resolution, the GPU doesn't have to work as hard as there's less pixels to push.

But the problem with upgrading is your PSU. Its only 300W, and since it came with the PC isn't likely to be of high quality. Many PSU's that come with pre-builts are quite shoddy, and no builder would use them to power their rig. This supply is of high quality and plenty sufficient for your needs.
Corsair Enthusiast 650W. $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

Total: $330

 

[jerreddredd]

Not sure what you budget is...
your monitor is only running 1650x1050, so you could get buy with a lesser GPU than a HD7850. an older 6780 or and GTX 560 or even a HD 7770 would work fine for BF3 on med/high settings, same for FarCry3 and such. as for a PSU a Corsair CX 430 or 500 is good enough.

Cheapest route $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026

the real issue will be BF3 Multiplayer, your i3 530 will lag heavily on multi player maps as soon as a fire fight happens. for this you will need a quad core. I recommend a i5 3450 or AMD FX 4100 as a minimum. the AMD solution being the less costly

you could find an old i5 870 quad core CPU and drop in (if your MB support one), but for the cost of one you could get a modern CPU and MB most likely... a refurbished one on newegg is $160

$385 total upgrade
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157323
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231424
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127687

 

[thethinice]

Thanks guys.

I don't really have a budget, more like two choices: upgrade my pc or buy a ps3, whichever is cheaper.

It looks like though, I am going to have to spend quite a bit to get my PC up to par for the most modern games. Right now, the ps3 seems like a cheaper and easier alternative, though I am a bit hesitant about it because my monitor's native resolution is 1650x1050, so I'm not sure how a ps3 would scale it since it would go from 720p or 1080p, so I might just borrow a friend's ps3 and see if it would work.

Still researching into upgrading though. It seems like I would need a better graphics card, CPU, and possibly PSU. Seems way more expensive compared to a used ps3 for $150.

 

[jerreddredd]

Thanks guys.

I don't really have a budget, more like two choices: upgrade my pc or buy a ps3, whichever is cheaper.

It looks like though, I am going to have to spend quite a bit to get my PC up to par for the most modern games. Right now, the ps3 seems like a cheaper and easier alternative, though I am a bit hesitant about it because my monitor's native resolution is 1650x1050, so I'm not sure how a ps3 would scale it since it would go from 720p or 1080p, so I might just borrow a friend's ps3 and see if it would work.

Still researching into upgrading though. It seems like I would need a better graphics card, CPU, and possibly PSU. Seems way more expensive compared to a used ps3 for $150.

just the HD 7770 GPU would breath some life into you system and "shouldn't" over tax the 300w PSU too much. even its little brother, the HD 7750 would help @ 1650x1050. the HD 7770 only draws 90W. you would need to post you PSU current ratings to be sure (12v Rails) and the 12v rail wattage. I put a PSU in the build above to be sure there are not issues

BF3 on multiplayer would be the game that you would see your system suck wind on.

 

[thethinice]

just the HD 7770 GPU would breath some life into you system and "shouldn't" over tax the 300w PSU too much. even its little brother, the HD 7750 would help @ 1650x1050. the HD 7770 only draws 90W. you would need to post you PSU current ratings to be sure (12v Rails) and the 12v rail wattage. I put a PSU in the build above to be sure there are not issues

BF3 on multiplayer would be the game that you would see your system suck wind on.

So would you say that upgrading my graphics card only would boost performance up enough? Or would I have to get a better CPU for good performance? (I realize the i3 is pretty bad). At what point do you think I would overtake the ps3 in terms of graphics on my monitor?

 

[jerreddredd]

graphics on consoles are usually dumbed down to achieve playable frame rates. consoles don't use AA/AF (not heavily any way). yes, adding a HD 7770 should give you playable frame rates on at least medium settings for most games. yes the i3 530 will hold back your gaming in the more cpu oriented games.

you can't really compare a console to a PC.

 

[thethinice]

graphics on consoles are usually dumbed down to achieve playable frame rates. consoles don't use AA/AF (not heavily any way). yes, adding a HD 7770 should give you playable frame rates on at least medium settings for most games. yes the i3 530 will hold back your gaming in the more cpu oriented games.

you can't really compare a console to a PC.

Ok, thanks you really helped me, I have a much better picture of where I should go from here.

 

[thethinice]

graphics on consoles are usually dumbed down to achieve playable frame rates. consoles don't use AA/AF (not heavily any way). yes, adding a HD 7770 should give you playable frame rates on at least medium settings for most games. yes the i3 530 will hold back your gaming in the more cpu oriented games.

you can't really compare a console to a PC.

Another question, could I upgrade my CPU with another i3 to make it dual core? Or even buy 3 and make it quad core? Is this a possible way to get more processor performance? I've been looking at the HD 7770 card and it looks pretty good to me, but I find my processor to be quite pitiful in its current state.

 

[jerreddredd]

Another question, could I upgrade my CPU with another i3 to make it dual core? Or even buy 3 and make it quad core? Is this a possible way to get more processor performance? I've been looking at the HD 7770 card and it looks pretty good to me, but I find my processor to be quite pitiful in its current state.

you question is confusing. you can probably put a better CPU in your MB, but you would need to find out the make and model to see what cpu's it will support. the issue is for the price of a new cpu for that mb you could replace the mb/cpu and ram with a modern CPU.

these are LGA 1156 CPUs that should fit, but without knowing the MB spec it not for sure. the i5-760 is $179 refurbished, quads are more $. and you still need to worry about the additional load on your PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007671+600005864&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=343&description=&hisInDesc=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=


this will get you a dual core cpu/mb and 4gb ram for $175 with the HD 7770 =$303 ($15 MIR also) your 300W psu should hold up. it will play most everything, but BF3 multiplayer 64 and MW online (may be choppy when the action starts).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1029183

THG built a similar system for there builders marathon (better GPU though)
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-pc-overclocking-pc-building,3273.html

 

[thethinice]

you question is confusing. you can probably put a better CPU in your MB, but you would need to find out the make and model to see what cpu's it will support. the issue is for the price of a new cpu for that mb you could replace the mb/cpu and ram with a modern CPU.

these are LGA 1156 CPUs that should fit, but without knowing the MB spec it not for sure. the i5-760 is $179 refurbished, quads are more $. and you still need to worry about the additional load on your PSU.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007671+600005864&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=343&description=&hisInDesc=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=


this will get you a dual core cpu/mb and 4gb ram for $175 with the HD 7770 =$303 ($15 MIR also) your 300W psu should hold up. it will play most everything, but BF3 multiplayer 64 and MW online (may be choppy when the action starts).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1029183

THG built a similar system for there builders marathon (better GPU though)
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-pc-overclocking-pc-building,3273.html

I see what you saying. I actually believe that my i3-530 processor is in fact dual core, and faster than the sandy bridge that you listed. At least that's what it seems like from google research.

My plan of action will probably be to just get the HD 7770, which should be good enough.

 

[jerreddredd]

I see what you saying. I actually believe that my i3-530 processor is in fact dual core, and faster than the sandy bridge that you listed. At least that's what it seems like from google research.

My plan of action will probably be to just get the HD 7770, which should be good enough.

actually the SB I listed would beat the pants off you current i3 530, the THG lists them as being on the same tier level. from experience I would say they are not (for gaming anyway)

Getting a HD 7770 is a good move.

 

[thethinice]

actually the SB I listed would beat the pants off you current i3 530, the THG lists them as being on the same tier level. from experience I would say they are not (for gaming anyway)

Getting a HD 7770 is a good move.

Ok so I've researched the HD 7770 a bit more, and looked at the Sapphire Vapor-X edition as well. The deal is, everywhere I look it seems as though the min PSU required is at least 450w. This worries me a bit, seeing as I have a 300w psu.

http://www.motherboards.org/review/sapphire-hd-7770-vapor-x-ghz-edition-review-and-benchmarks?page=2

Do you think my psu would handle the card?

EDIT: I've searched around and even found a thread here as well that confirms the card won't tax the PSU too hard.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/344850-31-requirement-radeon-7770

 

[jerreddredd]

Ok so I've researched the HD 7770 a bit more, and looked at the Sapphire Vapor-X edition as well. The deal is, everywhere I look it seems as though the min PSU required is at least 450w. This worries me a bit, seeing as I have a 300w psu.

http://www.motherboards.org/review/sapphire-hd-7770-vapor-x-ghz-edition-review-and-benchmarks?page=2

Do you think my psu would handle the card?

EDIT: I've searched around and even found a thread here as well that confirms the card won't tax the PSU too hard.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/344850-31-requirement-radeon-7770

300w should be fine with that card. Though the quality of the psu may also factor in.