How to improve a PC so it can handle games?

[Gikaseixas]

Sell your P4 and get Core2Quad
Also get rid off your graphics card and buy at least a Radeon HD5770
You'll be able to play older games even some newer ones given that you don't max everything.
What resolution you have right now?

 

[NTMBK]

That's actually a fairly decent motherboard. Put a Core 2 Quad in there and get a few more years out of your system.

You'll need to replace that graphics card, though- I used to have an HD5450 like that one, and it is SLOOOOW. Something like an R7-260X would be great, if your budget will stretch that far.

 

[redhotiron2004]

Yup, your processor needs an upgrade. Because it would even bottle neck your current graphic card ati5450. Also, overlook your graphic card to it's max possible limit on air.
Say no to antialiasing and other exotic settings. Lower your resolution to 720p and you should be able to play games like crysis1 at medium and lower settings. And crysis2 at gamer.

Just upgrading your cpu to core2duo(don't waste your money in quad as you won't be able to use that much power with your current graphic card) and overclocking your gpu should make your system last a year or two. Don't waste more money in this system.

 

[Diwiw]

I got this computer from a friend. She wanted to buy a new one and I wanted one for myself. The computer was not working properly so I upgraded the graphics card, the storage to 500GB, and a new fount (don't know the name in english,it's the thing that powers the computer). I had 2GB of ram at the time. Soon the mother board stoped working and I changed that too. I took the opportunity to buy a 4GB pentium. Recently (about a week or two ago) I upgraded the ram to 8GB thinking it would make the computer run much better FPS wise. The processor is the only thing that I haven't changed yet. I do not have the money to make a computer costum built ATM, although I have an uncle that works and understands about this kind of thing and could lower the price for me. I think the most reasonable upgrade would be to change the processor to the Core 2 Quad and save on some money to make a costum built in a year or two.The games that I usually play (or at least I wanted to) are : Left 4 dead 2,Portal 1 and 2 (Acctually have played and finished both despite lag spikes), minecraft,the new Bioshock,Mirros Edge,Far cry,COD and some puzzle games. Do you guys think it's worth buying the new processor considering the upgrade that it will make to the computer? Is it really necessary to change the graphics card? What kind of Fps would I get with the Core 2 Quad btw?Also,thanks to all of you who have helpd

 

[Diwiw]

That's actually a fairly decent motherboard. Put a Core 2 Quad in there and get a few more years out of your system.

You'll need to replace that graphics card, though- I used to have an HD5450 like that one, and it is SLOOOOW. Something like an R7-260X would be great, if your budget will stretch that far.

That's the problem. I don't think my budget can stretch as far as a new graphics card :/ Heck! I don't even know if I can afford the Core 2 Quad! Things in Brazil tend to be far more expensive than they should be...

 

[Diwiw]

What is your reason for wanting to hold on to the old computer?

Maybe it's the appearance and case? You can probably still keep those, and just replace the insides.

But as a quick gut-check, do you realize what your computer's dollar value is, for the motherboard, CPU, and video card? Trying to hang on to those parts, may be not worth the dollar value they hold. Perhaps learning what it's actually worth will help to let them go?

The only reason I'm holding on to this computer is because I can't afford a new one. My only option right now is to upgrade it : (

 

[SPBHM]

the motherboard you listed uses DDR3 memory, but as far as I know the G41 chipset have a limitation for a max of 4GB when using DDR3...

anyway, if you have a Pentium 4, even buying some cheap dual core pentium like the e5200 and doing a small OC would be a huge upgrade... but... the Radeon 5450 is also really slow, not much different than using Intel graphics for gaming.

so only buy a C2Q if you can find one for a very low price, and you are going to buy a new VGA, otherwise I recommend getting the cheapest E7xxx or e5xxx you can find.

 

[Diwiw]

cant you just buy off ebay or the forum? paypal the money and skip all the fees and taxes and stuff?

Ergh I dont feel safe buying from E-bay something that would be this valuable...

 

[KingFatty]

If you ever visit the US, I would give you some computer equipment you can take home in your suitcase. In the US we have lots of low priced stuff, especially off ebay or craigslist for used computer parts.

But in Brazil, is there a way to get used parts? I think you can have a very good upgrade by just swapping the CPU and video card to newer used parts, and keep your old motherboard and memory.

 

[el etro]

Yep. A Haswell G1820/30 will trash that P4 and use a lot less power then the P4 doing it...

Problem is that 2 cores will hold any decent GPU in modern games. Better for him is to pick an used i5-750 like i said in my post spoiler.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

Problem is that 2 cores will hold any decent GPU in modern games. Better for him is to pick an used i5-750 like i said in my post spoiler.

Agree, if one is available. But that will have to include a new mainboard of course and that might drive the cost up too far to be a reasonable purchase.

I have no clue on the used parts market in Brazil. I'm Danish.

 

[NTMBK]

That's the problem. I don't think my budget can stretch as far as a new graphics card :/ Heck! I don't even know if I can afford the Core 2 Quad! Things in Brazil tend to be far more expensive than they should be...

That's a shame! I'm not sure about used prices in Brazil, but take a look at what you can get with your budget. You will definitely want to upgrade both the GPU and CPU, if you want to play games, but you could try to go for "balance"- something like a Core 2 Duo paired with a HD4670. It all depends on what your local prices are like. eBay is definitely the way to go, I'm afraid- you won't get the parts you need new. But eBay does have lots of protection for the buyer- if the product doesn't match its description, you can always get a refund through Paypal. Just be careful what you buy, make sure it will be compatible before you buy it, and make sure it's described as being in good working order with no defects.

A word on upgrading processor- even though the Core 2 processors have lower clock speeds than the Pentium 4, they go much faster and are much better choices for gaming on. Take a read of this page if you want to find out more: http://www.anandtech.com/show/2045 Even the Pentium D, which is basically a pair of Pentium 4 working together, gets thoroughly beaten by even the first generation Core 2 Duo.

 

[tweakboy]

Is this what you have? A 5450.

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b1730/xfx-one-hd-5450-plus-edition.html

This is a pos,, Why not get a 9800 GT ,,,, only 50 bucks

 

[tweakboy]

I mean get ,,, let me find you a 9800 GT. That is all you need for HDCP needs.

Her you go 30 bucks, you can get it from ebay

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...1.A0.X9800+gt&_nkw=9800+gt&_sacat=0&_from=R40

So in future if you wanna game, then that card will do ok. The 54xx is not a gaming card.

 

[tweakboy]

This is the cheapest PCB Ive seen since the Epox disaster board.

 

[Puppies04]

Ergh I dont feel safe buying from E-bay something that would be this valuable...

Everything is relative Diwiw. Can you tell us roughly how much you have to spend on upgrading this machine? Perhaps you could save up a certain amount each month in which case we can still tell you what the best option would be and how long it will take to get what you want.

I can see your best option being selling what you have now (maybe take out any parts that you have bought and are not needed) and buying a second hand newer PC. Expecting to play reasonably new 3D games on a PC that is as old as yours is a bad idea.

 

[cbn]

The games that I usually play (or at least I wanted to) are : Left 4 dead 2,Portal 1 and 2 (Acctually have played and finished both despite lag spikes), minecraft,the new Bioshock,Mirros Edge,Far cry,COD and some puzzle games.

If that is all you want to play then an E6600 will be sufficient.

Those cpus usually go for ~$25 on Ebay. (They are also quite plentiful so you should be able to find one locally too)

P.S. Mininum CPU specs for Bioshiock Infinite are 2.4 Ghz Core 2 duo, so it should play that game fine. If you want more performance, just overclock. An E6600 should easily go 3+ Ghz on the stock cooler.

 

[aigomorla]

get a PS4... no joke...

your hardware is so old, that it would cost you more to get near ps4 hardware then just a PS4 if all u want is gaming.

 

[Diwiw]

Everything is relative Diwiw. Can you tell us roughly how much you have to spend on upgrading this machine? Perhaps you could save up a certain amount each month in which case we can still tell you what the best option would be and how long it will take to get what you want.

I can see your best option being selling what you have now (maybe take out any parts that you have bought and are not needed) and buying a second hand newer PC. Expecting to play reasonably new 3D games on a PC that is as old as yours is a bad idea.

I'm going to officially be on vacation on tuesday, so I was thinking of taking a job with my father which he would pay me 20 bucks every week. That may sound a lot to americans but the prices here are at least doubled D: !I'm willing to spend at top 300 Reais(= Brazilian money).

 

[Diwiw]

get a PS4... no joke...

your hardware is so old, that it would cost you more to get near ps4 hardware then just a PS4 if all u want is gaming.

A PS4 costs 4.000 Reais in Brazil!That s impossible for me dude! It would make sense to buy one if it was cheaper I agree with you,but 4000 is just not reasonable. Unfortunatly D:

 

[cbn]

Ergh I dont feel safe buying from E-bay something that would be this valuable...

Used processors are usually a pretty safe bet compared to something like buying a used motherboard.

In fact, of all the components in a desktop computer the processor is the least likely to fail.

Just make sure, the seller has a good rating and there is a return policy.

 

[Diwiw]

That's a shame! I'm not sure about used prices in Brazil, but take a look at what you can get with your budget. You will definitely want to upgrade both the GPU and CPU, if you want to play games, but you could try to go for "balance"- something like a Core 2 Duo paired with a HD4670. It all depends on what your local prices are like. eBay is definitely the way to go, I'm afraid- you won't get the parts you need new. But eBay does have lots of protection for the buyer- if the product doesn't match its description, you can always get a refund through Paypal. Just be careful what you buy, make sure it will be compatible before you buy it, and make sure it's described as being in good working order with no defects.

A word on upgrading processor- even though the Core 2 processors have lower clock speeds than the Pentium 4, they go much faster and are much better choices for gaming on. Take a read of this page if you want to find out more: http://www.anandtech.com/show/2045 Even the Pentium D, which is basically a pair of Pentium 4 working together, gets thoroughly beaten by even the first generation Core 2 Duo.

If I'm gonna buy anything than I'm gonna buy from my uncle.He'll make it cheaper for me and I trust him so I'm fine in that department.What I want to know is what parts I really need to upgrade and what I should buy.Like, I really wanna do as much as I can for my computer since I use it a lot as my source of fun. What I might end up doing is upgrading the processor now and maybe in 2 months the GPU. Maybe in a year I'll make a costum built,who knows. Depends on the budget ,really.I don't know of any places that sell used parts,if that's what you meant by "used prices in Brazil". I'll defienately do some searching around my town for that. Thanks dude!

 

[NTMBK]

A PS4 costs 4.000 Reais in Brazil!That s impossible for me dude! It would make sense to buy one if it was cheaper I agree with you,but 4000 is just not reasonable. Unfortunatly D:

Yikes! D: There's only one option, move to a country where consoles aren't as expensive- your English seems very good, try the USA

 

[NTMBK]

If I'm gonna buy anything than I'm gonna buy from my uncle.He'll make it cheaper for me and I trust him so I'm fine in that department.What I want to know is what parts I really need to upgrade and what I should buy.Like, I really wanna do as much as I can for my computer since I use it a lot as my source of fun. What I might end up doing is upgrading the processor now and maybe in 2 months the GPU. Maybe in a year I'll make a costum built,who knows. Depends on the budget ,really.I don't know of any places that sell used parts,if that's what you meant by "used prices in Brazil". I'll defienately do some searching around my town for that. Thanks dude!

Upgrading piece by piece seems like a good idea. Stretching it out over several smaller purchases makes it a lot easier than buying an entire new system in one go.

 

[Diwiw]

Would anyone explain me how I tell if a processor is good? Is it dependent of the number of cores or GHz? Is each feature especific to different tasks? If I want to run multiple programs at the same time it's better to have dual core right?