Upgrade the old computer?

[GoStumpy]

So I built my new gaming computer, LOVING IT. However, my last computer is now sitting in the living room corner with a 17" LCD doing basically nothing... I wouldn't mind playing BFBC2 or L4D, or something not as taxing as BF3 on it... Or BF3 at lowest possible settings *IF* that's possible.

Current specs:
Foxconn M61PMV Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813186155
AMD Sempron 3400+ @ 1.86ghz
2GB DDR667 Ram
Zotac GeForce GT220 1GB
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16814500129
Seagate Barracuda 7200rpm 80GB HDD

I'm hoping I only have to upgrade the CPU to be able to play these games on minimum... I realize I will have to upgrade the GPU to play BF3 at all of course...

Really I don't know what processors will fit this motherboard? I am certain that my CPU is holding even a lowly GT220 back to some extent...


AM2/AM2+, but newegg doesn't even list those anymore..LOL

 

[Ken g6]

Well, looking over the L4D CPU benches, I think your current CPU should get over 30FPS, anyway. So if it's not working now the bottleneck there would seem to be your GPU, which is only good for HTPC work. Any decent GPU would play it fine unless your resolution's a lot higher than I thought.

Evidently, BFBC2 pretty much requires at least a tri-core CPU, and a decent graphics card.

 

[GoStumpy]

Are there any dual-core or higher AMD CPU's that fit the AM2+ socket? I read that they're backwards compatible, but I haven't seen anyone actually DO it before :\

 

[Ken g6]

Absolutely. It just looks like AMD has stopped selling them in favor of Bull($*!&)dozers AM3 models. Search in FS/T I guess. :\

Although whether they work in your AM2+ board is another question. Edit3: Here's someone who tried.

Edit: Isn't your current CPU dual-core? I can't imagine a 1.8GHz CPU getting such a high number (3400+) if it wasn't.

 

[GoStumpy]

Absolutely. It just looks like AMD has stopped selling them in favor of Bull($*!&)dozers AM3 models. Search in FS/T I guess. :\

Although whether they work in your AM2+ board is another question. Edit3: Here's someone who tried.

Edit: Isn't your current CPU dual-core? I can't imagine a 1.8GHz CPU getting such a high number (3400+) if it wasn't.

According to task manager, there is only one core Definitely a single-core processor. It was Sempron's first foray into 64-bit as far as I know...

 

[mfenn]

Foxconn didn't test very many newer CPUs with that board, but the did test at least one Heka. I'm betting that any (95W or less) Athon II or Phenom II will work. I'm not sure how much you're looking to spend, but an Athlon II X2 starts at $60.

A GT 220 is also a very weak GPU, I'm not sure how much of an improvement you're likely to see out of just upgrading the CPU. I wouldn't bet on much though.

 

[lehtv]

You can turn it into a great budget gaming machine with the Athlon II X2 mfenn suggested (if the mobo accepts it), and a midrange GPU like XFX 6770 or 6850.

 

[GoStumpy]

Well played a little bit today, trying to play Battlefield: Bad Company 2...

CPU is definitely a serious bottleneck... I think the GPU can actually handle this game...

Screenshots:

GPU never exceeded 40% usage, at stock clocks...

CPU was pegged at 100% the entire time...

 

[lehtv]

Oh wow. That's pretty interesting. Did the framerate indicate that getting a few times better GPU usage % would make it playable?

 

[GoStumpy]

I didn't get an actual framerate benchmark (may try that soon), it was *almost* playable, framerates were probably in the 15-20 range... I felt like if the GPU was running at 100%, it would be playable... Especially if I could overclock the GPU a little bit, but as it sits that's totally pointless.

 

[Spikesoldier]

BF2 sounds more up that computer's alley.

 

[GoStumpy]

Did a quick benchmark in BFBC2, multiplayer of course

Min: 3
Max: 24
Avg: 11.2


Yeah, not very good at all

 

[mfenn]

I didn't get an actual framerate benchmark (may try that soon), it was *almost* playable, framerates were probably in the 15-20 range... I felt like if the GPU was running at 100%, it would be playable... Especially if I could overclock the GPU a little bit, but as it sits that's totally pointless.

What detail and resolution are you running at? I agree that a CPU upgrade is absolutely needed. A GPU may not be needed if you are OK with low details or resolution (as you've seen).