Upgrading Gaming PC

[tobyj42]

Hello FPCH

I am newbie poster with simple question. Is it worth upgrading my dinosaur of a PC to play latest games on High settings or just bite the bullet and splash out on Shiny new power PC? Is it better to buy all the parts yourself and get someone to build it for you or buy off the shelf from PC specialists

Embarrassed to give my spec!!!!

A measly 921 points on the PC benchmark 8 website..

Mesh Intel Core 2 duo E6600 2.4GHZ 4mb (2005)

Windows XP 32Bit i think

2 GB of DDR2 RAM

ASUS P5N32- SLI Deluxe motherboard

300 GB hard drive

Graphics card...NVIDIA GEFORCE 7950GT (512!!!!!MB)

I could play all games on med-low settings up until I got FAR CRY 3 for xmas. This is just about unplayable on lowest settings...RAGE wouldnt even load..lol. Am a fan of FPS and RPGs

would it make any difference if I put 2 more GB of Ram in OR bought a new graphics card? Considering this system cost £1000 back in 2005, it still is excellent for everything else. I have my eye on the CHILLBLAST FUSION FIREBIRD Gaming powerhouse also worth about £1k without monitor.

Please say buy new PC so I have an excuse to treat myself

Any suggestions greatly appreciated

[Vr5fx]

Welcome to the forum.

 

You said it yourself.

Buy a new PC.

An extra 2GB RAM won't make much difference.

 

My current build runs Far Cry 3 on ultra / very high settings @ 1920 x 1080 , if you want to use it as a rough guide my PC specifications are in my signature.

I also have Rage, but I imagine that will also run on max settings, haven't tested it though.

 

It depends on what parts you already have and if you want to spend time on making a new PC or just buy a brand new one flat out.

 

It always comes down to preference with a PC build, brand names matter to some people.

 

Any questions please feel free to ask away

 

-Vr

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

Windows XP 32Bit i think

Confirm this for us please as it makes a difference re: RAM ( see below )

 

Start > right click on My Computer > Properties

It should tell you here.

 

If you have a 32 bit system you are limited to 4GB RAM - no matter what the motherboard capability.

The m/board will support 8GB DDR2 RAM

You can add 2GB ( 32 bit system ) or 6GB ( 64 bit system )

 

You don't say what PSU you have.

A decent Video Card is going to need around 650 Watts - possibly more depending on choice.

I suspect that the 7950GT only needs 400 - 450 Watts.

 

If this is the case you will need to upgrade the PSU too.

 

Far Cry 3 System Requirements ( recommended )

 

Intel Core i3 2.9GHz

4 GB RAM

Win7

DX11

12 GB free HD space

 

XP supports DX 9

There is an option here for a version of DX 10

click here

 

Your system could certainly be upgraded but with limitations.

What would limit it would be the PLGA775 socket and the CPUs it could run.

 

If 32 bit - 4 GB RAM max.

 

One of our other Mods may be able to add some more :)

 

EDIT:

Sorry Vr5fx I was writing this as you posted :)

[tobyj42]

thank you both for the reply on a sunday night.

The PSU is about 550watts but as you say, Chunkier GPU`s require more power and cooling etc.

I think i`ll sell the system on e-bay for £100 and splash out on a new gaming machine.

Does anyone recommend CHILLBLAST as PC specialists and would you have an Intel I5 or I7 based PC or go for AMD.

also Which is better RADEON or NVIDIA chipsets as graphics cards?

[Vr5fx]

Your PSU has probably lost a big chunk of power because of its age.

 

Actual specifications depend on yourself. Do you have a budget? I've never used "Chillblast" so I can't comment on them. I use Ebuyer for my computer parts.

 

No one can help you with Choosing an I5/7 or AMD. That is always an argument that doesn't end. The more you pay the better you get, I7 is better than I5, Intel chips have better performance over AMD, but if it is for gaming then I doubt you could tell the difference. A decent AMD CPU is around £100, Intel go up to £250, so I go for AMD.

 

As graphics cards go I can only comment on Nvidia, as I have only used those lately. They are good cards, but again, that is a personal preference. They are on par with each other.

 

Vr

[KenB]

Take a look here: ( Best Video Cards 2012 )

click here

 

You can decide what you want to pay :)