Which computer component should be my next upgrade?

Technology and Gaming
#1

Hey guys,
I’m having a hard time deciding what to next upgrade on my gaming rig. It sucks currently, since I’m still a teenager living with my parents (but I make/spend my own money! also inb4 underageb&) but I have some money now and would like to upgrade it so that I can play 2010-12 fancy big-buck games like DNF (which I own but can’t play due to rig limitations). So here’s the important stuff about my rig:

Motherboard: ASUS P5KPL-CM
CPU: Intel Pentium E5200
GPU: EVGA nVidia GeForce 9400GT (with 1GB VRAM)
RAM: Super Talent 2GB (1x2GB ) DDR2-800MHz PC2-6400 Desktop Memory

So can anyone tell me what I should focus on upgrading for maximum gaming capability? (also 3D modelling since I’m getting into that)

#2

I would upgrade your video card, 9400GT is about as powerful as the 4350 if I’m not mistaken, which is an HTPC classic. Video card first in your case. The CPU will hold at lower resolutions with newer games, the RAM will be needing upgrading if you want good gaming capability on games like battlefield 3 that at min take 2gb (which you’re fine with that) but recommended take 4gb ram and quad core processors. I have a dual core too. But the CPU should hold up for a little while. Sorry for being so long-winded but in short…the video card first. I upgraded from a 4350 1gb ddr2 to a 5670 1gb gddr5. but if you upgrade…i recommend the best memory type. currently that’s gddr5 and etc.

#3

But nowadays it’s about clock speeds, memory, and the type of memory as well as the most important aspect…stream processors which are shaders if you don’t know already. The more shaders you have and especially the faster they are clocked at the better your games will run and the more you can crank up the settings if you are a performance nut. like mine used to be 80 now it’s 400. and some cards have 3200 in dual gpu solutions.

#4

GPU is a very weak point, I’d upgrade that first.

#5

Yeah, I’d do Graphics first too.

#6

+1 on the GPU, the 9400GT wasn’t fast when it came out and certainly isn’t now. Get yourself a 6950 or so and call it a day (until you can build a better rig around that GPU :stuck_out_tongue: )

@Surplus_Ninja, someone asked you this in another thread and I may have missed the response - wtf is going on in your sig? Frying shit via burning shit on a toilet?

#7

Me personally. I’d (if possible) upgrade your CPU first. The Core 2 Duo, is kind of a weak processor now-a-days. I’d upgrade to either an i7, or a Xeon.

If you cant afford those, then I’d go with either an i5, or i3.

I personally have an i7, and its an AMAZING processor. It takes me only about 30 seconds to start up my computer, and log in (im running Windows 7 Ultimate)

Then I’d upgrade your RAM to 6GB if possible. Otherwise, for sure upgrade it to at least 4GB.

Then I would update for GPU. 9400GT can still run most current games on medium as of now.

#8

Haha, if you run the games at 1024x768 maybe. I have a 9800 GTX that barely makes do with medium.

#9

+1 on GPU, don´t upgrade to an i3-5-7 yet as you will also need to change mobo and ram, so not a good sugestions.

If you have money left over, I have a Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 which works perfectly (I recently upgraded) and fits in your current motherboard if you´re interested.

#10

Yeah, upgrade your gpu first. I’ve got two 9500GT’s in SLI and they can’t take many new games even on low settings, so there’s no way a 9400GT could if you ask me

#11

That´s dissapointing to hear, I have a backup/lan party cube/game pc for when I, go to lan partys or I´m working on my main pc. And it has just that 2x ASUS EN9500GT 1Gb in SLI, I mean it´s been a while since I last used it for gaming, but I figured it could take anything a 9800GT could ah well…

#12

Upgrading to a core ix would most definitely require a new board to match the chipset and/or the requirements of the CPU. (ie. new ram too, and probably a new PSU to go with all that to protect the cpu.) In other words what Luciel said.

Looking at the computer, I would suggest waiting another 6 months or so, selling it for a couple bucks, and buying a fresh one. It’s always cheaper to buy an entire new computer every 2~4 years, then to upgrade some parts every 6~12 months.

#13

As I mentioned before, not only a motherboard but also ram, I doubt he can find a 1155 socket mobo with ddr2 ram, and even if he could, why would anyone buy that?

#14

Actually this is my CPU, I thought it was a Core 2 Duo but it’s a Pentium E5200.

https://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=37212

And I don’t really have much of a problem with my GPU, guys. I can run most games pretty well on relatively high graphics settings at 1440x900 (I run my computer on a 19-inch Magnavox TV)

EDIT: also my RAM is slower than I thought it was: it’s Super Talent 2GB (1x2GB ) DDR2-800MHz PC2-6400 Desktop Memory (Couldn’t find a link, it’s obsolete)

#15

ooooo…Pentium is EXTREMELY out-dated these days. You definitely need a CPU upgrade.

Like what @Zageron said. It might just be easier to buy a new computer.

#16

Definitely.

Your rig seems pretty old, probably time to sell it all and buy a new one.

#17

It seems like it was a relatively high-spec Pentium when it was first launched. It still runs everything but games really fast.
Oh and I also just realized that it’s 64-bit and I’ve been running a 32-bit OS this entire time… I’ll remedy that tomorrow.

#18

That may help in the short term but even if it was relatively high-end, I’ve heard a lot about dual-core Pentiums being bad for gaming. You’re still due for an upgrade soon, though like it’s been said, it’d probably just be easier to buy a new computer, since almost everything appears to need upgraded.

#19

Yeah I’m considering buying a PC from iBuyPower. Can anyone suggest a build? I feel like it’s too much to ask for someone to customize a rig for me on their site, but if anyone is willing that’d be awesome.

#20

Patrick is silly for suggesting upgrading the cpu. It’s costly and not as necessary as a gpu upgrade.

As for what I think, I’d get a decent gpu for now, and when you have some more cash, upgrade the rest of the PC.

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.