I need a new PC, right?

[minmaster]

I'm trying to figure out if I should get a new PC or upgrade. I am interested in some games that are coming out later this year like BF1 and Civ6. I think I would probably be playing more fps games than anything.

So my current PC is a Quad core Q6600 (OC'd to 3.0ghz) and GTI 460 512mb and 4GB ram, on win10. I just bought a 2560x1080 ultra wide monitor so I need something that can drive that resolution in games.

I haven't gamed much last few years, but looking at recent games, I don't think my PC meets the requirements... Seems like latest games are requiring at least 1gb of vram which I don't have.

I am not sure about my current CPU being able to hold up, but I realize that the video card is really not suitable. Would just an upgrade of video card allow me to game as I mentioned earlier? I'm thinking it's better to start with a new computer with the newer quad core CPU (or should I get a dual core?) and a decent video card with at least 1gb.

What do you guys think?

 

[UsandThem]

I'd replace it if you want enjoyable gaming above the standard 1920 x 1080 resolution.

If the budget allows, a quad core CPU is best, and you want a modern video card with 4 GB minimum. Most new cards are 8 GB, with the GTX 1060 reportedly with 6 GB.

Civilization games, especially late stage games really chew up CPU clocks with the calculations. Civ6 will likely be much more demanding than Civ5.

You are probably looking at around a roughly 70% increase in overall CPU performance if you moved to a 6600k from your current PC.

That's not even factoring in faster RAM and a SSD with SATA3 performance.

 

[aigomorla]

Q6600 @ 4.0ghz would pretty much get spanked hardcore by a skylake @ stock with DDR-4000 ram. :X

It would also give you usb3.0 + possibly 3.1 type C if u get a premium board + sata 6g ports.

If your looking to upgrade, i would get a Skylake i7-6600k or a 6700k if you can afford it, and try to grab a gtx 1070 gpu if your a gamer, and it should pretty much last you though the next decade @ your resoltion on ultra settings even.

Being a gamer... there is a big difference between medium and Ultra.
Once u played on ultra @ a full 60fps, you can never go back to medium.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

I replaced my Q6600 three years ago and was not disappointed. It's time.

Any of the boring i5 builds that get tossed around in threads here would work fine with a 1080-capable "enthusiast" GPU of your choice (480X, 970, 1070, 1060, 380X, etc.) without breaking the bank.

Repeat after me:

“I must have an SSD. HDDs are the time-killer. HDDs are the slow-death that brings totally low IOPS. I will face my HDD. I will replace it and pass over it to an SSD. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. When the HDD has gone there will be no spinning rust. Only NAND will remain.”

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm still rocking a Q6600... in my unRAID server. Underclocked to 1.8Ghz. Bought it used off of C List for $200 (Edit: over five years ago, probably longer), Gigabyte P35C-DS3R mobo, Q6600, and some RAM I think. Totally overkill for current usage, but oh well. Haven't checked it's power-consumption. Probably not great.

 

[mjdupuis]

Yes.
The 480 or 1060 will suit you fine. I'd go with an i5, the higher clockspeed options should be better for gaming from what I've gathered (6600?).

 

[MongGrel]

Q6600 @ 4.0ghz would pretty much get spanked hardcore by a skylake @ stock with DDR-4000 ram. :X

It would also give you usb3.0 + possibly 3.1 type C if u get a premium board + sata 6g ports.

If your looking to upgrade, i would get a Skylake i7-6600k or a 6700k if you can afford it, and try to grab a gtx 1070 gpu if your a gamer, and it should pretty much last you though the next decade @ your resoltion on ultra settings even.

Being a gamer... there is a big difference between medium and Ultra.
Once u played on ultra @ a full 60fps, you can never go back to medium.

What he said of course, I replaced my Q6600 SLCKR @ 4.0 with new X58 build I7 920 when they came out.

Still using that setup with a X5680 @ 4.5 these days, and it's feeling a bit old.

I'd just be repeating things at this point, other than agreeing the Q6600 is a bit old for gaming.

I'd probably get a 6600K myself these days if I were rebuilding one, and OC it a bit.

I use a Dell 2560X1080 EW monitor myself, but the R9 280 DCUII is even a bit old these days with it.

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

You can go cheap and buy some used parts.. I'm sure there are some good deals out there on Sandybridge...

 

[minmaster]

Thanks everyone for the input. Didn't realize my quad core was that outdated... hopefully I can get a new rig come fall 🙂