How to improve a PC so it can handle games?

[Diwiw]

I would love having a PC that can handle games well. After trying many upgrades to it I don t know what else to do! Here are my PC specs, PLEASE tell me which part of my computer needs an upgrade. I am willing to upgrade it but definetely won't buy a new one.Also I would take any suggestions on windows settings that would improve the performance. Thank you! (I'm from Brazil so excuse any typos or repetitive vocabulary D: )

Processor is intel (R) pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.06GHz
Graphics card is XFX ONE + Edition 1GB
Windows 7 home premium 64 bits
8 GB of ram (maxed out on the ram BTW)
Mother board is ASRock G41M-VS3
500 GB of space

 

[zir_blazer]

Forget about upgrading that thing. Unless you like purchasing Hardware at museums, there is absolutely no reason to spend money on a totally obsolete Pentium 4.

 

[Diwiw]

:/ I'm pretty sure I would be able to upgrade my processor.... I don't know if it would be worth giving the limitation of the compatibility of the mother board. I can upgrade the processor can't I?

 

[Hulk]

Forget about upgrading that thing. Unless you like purchasing Hardware at museums, there is absolutely no reason to spend money on a totally obsolete Pentium 4.

This. Seriously.

 

[cbn]

:/ I'm pretty sure I would be able to upgrade my processor.... I don't know if it would be worth giving the limitation of the compatibility of the mother board. I can upgrade the processor can't I?

Your motherboard can take up to a Yorkfield (ie, 45nm Core 2 Quad):

http://www.asrock.com/MB/overview.asp?cat=CPU&Model=G41M-VS3 R2.0

Therefore, I would search ebay for a used processor.

 

[2is]

Time for a new computer

 

[cbn]

Graphics card is XFX ONE + Edition 1GB

Is this what you have? A 5450.

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

 

[Diwiw]

Is this what you have? A 5450.

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

Yes,or at least I think so. It's a XFX-ATI Radeon HD 5450. Is that good?

 

[tweakboy]

Get SSD and a FX 8300 CPU and 130 dollar motherboard Or grab a i7 2600k .. gl

 

[slackingoff7]

I remember getting my Pentium D in 2006. Your computer is older than that. Time to buy a whole new one.

 

[Torn Mind]

5450s were budget cards upon release, allowing the playback of HD video and some extremely light gaming. Now, they totally suck and even $100 cards destroy it.

Pentium 4s are very slow CPUs.

Depending on your budget, there are some options for you. You can upgrade the CPU and GPU and get something better, but price will play a big role. I don't know what the prices down there in Brazil are like though...

 

[KingFatty]

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?

 

[Diwiw]

Let me tell you how things are in Brazil. Every thing i double the double of the price and is poorly made. D: unfortuneately that's my country! I apreciatte all of you who helped and have given your opinions so far. Thanks !

 

[cbn]

I remember getting my Pentium D in 2006. Your computer is older than that. Time to buy a whole new one.

His motherboard is actually a newer LGA 775 model though (eg, it runs DDR3).

P.S. Tom's hardware recommends Athlon X4 750K as the best gaming processor under $100--->http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-2.html

Looking at the chart below, Core 2 Quad (Q9550) is competitive in the stock speed comparison and wins the overclocked vs overclocked comparison:

So I don't think keeping his mobo is necessarily a bad idea provided he can get a good deal on a used Core 2 Quad.

 

[nurturedhate]

What are your expectations once you have upgraded this computer? What games are you looking to play?

 

[crashtech]

Your motherboard can take up to a Yorkfield (ie, 45nm Core 2 Quad):

http://www.asrock.com/MB/overview.asp?cat=CPU&Model=G41M-VS3 R2.0

Therefore, I would search ebay for a used processor.

Even a Wolfdale like an E8400 would be a big improvement. The P4 has to go.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Um, not to be that guy...

But what games exactly do you want to play?

 

[yhelothar]

A Core2Quad and a Radeon 5850 would play just about any game near high settings.

That combo shouldn't cost more than about $120-150.

 

[Blue_Max]

Your motherboard can take up to a Yorkfield (ie, 45nm Core 2 Quad):

http://www.asrock.com/MB/overview.asp?cat=CPU&Model=G41M-VS3 R2.0

Therefore, I would search ebay for a used processor.

I agree! You can handle a Core2Quad easily and can buy them CHEAP!
That and a better video card would be a world of performance difference for very low cost.

Heck, even a Core2Duo E8400 @3GHz or higher would make that P4 feel like the crapper it is! Cheap!!

 

[Headfoot]

A Core2Quad and a Radeon 5850 would play just about any game near high settings.

That combo shouldn't cost more than about $120-150.

Agreed.

For a small budget build which I assume this is, look for used graphics cards like Radeon 5850, Radeon 5870, Gtx 560ti, Gtx 460 1GB, Radeon 6850, Radeon 6870, Radeon 7770.

CPU: any Core 2 Quad Q9xxx or Q8xxx (try to get 9xxx).

REMEMBER THOUGH: this is only if your power supply is around 500w or greater. What is the wattage of your power supply?

 

[ShintaiDK]

Simply start all over. No need to continue to buy obsolete. If budget is a problem, get a H81 board and a Haswell Celeron.

 

[007ELmO]

Can we help form a budget to help this brazilian man achieve his dreams

 

[snarfbot]

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

 

[el etro]

Buddy, is time to think about changing your whole computer...

You can pick a Q9550, but will even not be better than a 2009 i5 750...

In Portuguese in spoiler:

Spoiler

Uma idéia boa(caso você esteja com a grana curta) era pegar um i5 750 usado de algum bazar da web... nos 3,4 GHZ ele seguraria até uma GTX 770. Boa idéia, não??

 

[Insert_Nickname]

I agree with the other posters, that P4 has to go. Its basically a 13 year old architecture. Also that HD5450 is simply inadequate to run any halfway modern game. Its actually slower then modern IGPs.

Simply start all over. No need to continue to buy obsolete. If budget is a problem, get a H81 board and a Haswell Celeron.

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

Can we help form a budget to help this brazilian man achieve his dreams

A budget would really help.