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Deciding whether to upgrade or build new

Tags:
  • RAM
  • Graphics Cards
  • Build
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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October 12, 2014 8:08:13 AM

My old computer is finally starting to have a hard time playing games. I am trying to decide whether I can get by for another year or so with just upgrading my video card and adding more ram. I'm hoping to put off a new build as long as possible. Any opinions are welcome. My specs are;

Vista 64
AMD Phenom II X4 810 (2.6 Ghz 4 cores)
4 GB ram
GTX 275

If I just double the ram and get a new video card, say a 750 Ti, would I be able to play some of the newer games? Or, do I also have a bottleneck with my processor?

More about : deciding upgrade build

a b U Graphics card
October 12, 2014 8:15:14 AM

looks to me your better off new and keep that one for a back up rig [opinion]

all it took for me was this one psu that popped out of the blue and took my board and card and changed my thinking on all of this so that so called lesser unit ended up costing me twice as a top tire type unit would of in the end or find the unit you went a little cheaper on cant hold to that new upgrade vid card you just got and noe your looking at another psu to run it ???

its like pay me now or pay me more latter --- but as I said its all personal preference on how you go on this
a b U Graphics card
October 12, 2014 8:22:50 AM

I would definitely buy and assemble a brand new rig(much more fun as well) and TRY to part out your old rig. You'd be shocked, 2xx series nvidia cards still sell on craigslist.

Do you have a budget?
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a b U Graphics card
October 12, 2014 8:25:59 AM

or just keep your old rig for emergences and back up rig
October 12, 2014 8:31:00 AM

Thanks for the responses. I've always tried to keep my new builds around the $600 range, however its been about 6 years since I built this thing and haven't kept up with the evolving technology and prices. I guess I have some research and cost/performance comparisons to do.
a b U Graphics card
October 12, 2014 8:35:19 AM

woops I misedited this post for another thread is was ment to go to all that psu stuff was my bad for here

sorry
a b U Graphics card
October 12, 2014 8:46:43 AM

Creeps above your budget a little bit, but with purpose I believe. Places you could save money on obviously would be the GPU + PSU if you're going to be at a hard $600. I wouldn't consider going any less with your processor, as the 6300 is already in my opinion pushing back more than I'd like to suggest for future gaming.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($98.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock 960GM/U3S3 FX Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270X 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($144.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $651.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-12 11:44 EDT-0400
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