Cheap PC upgrade for WH III

[2guildwars]

Hi everyone. This are my spec:
Processor:
Intel Core i5-6400
4 threads - 2.7 GHz
Graphics Card:
GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950
2 GB VRAM
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Random Access Memory

I can play, but on low specs. The game stutters a lot, looks ugly and using some great but demanding mods doesn't help (or crash the game right away).
I've decided to invest in some upgrades: processor, graphic card and RAM.
What are the elements compatible with my pc, reasonably priced and allowing to play comfortably, with units on ultra and using Hooveric reskin mod?
Thanks

[KoboldUtopian]

I doubt you will be able to play on ultra at a low price.

I found a 1070ti used for 200$ and 32gb RAM is pretty cheap. I can play on high graphics with that. Don't forget to use a SSD too if you don't already have one.

[Elitewrecker PT]

What is "cheap"?

[Eldrin]

You understand that you may as well throw the entire computer into the trash bin as just about everything but the case would need an upgrade. And that is only if the case is big enough for the new larger video card. Depending on what DDR the ram is, it might be able to stay with only adding another 8gb. But the rest CPU, GPU, PSU, MOBO would need to be upgraded and there is no such thing as cheap.

I know the game has got a LOT better then it was on launch, even with a 4090 i could hardly run this, now they have fixed it to where at least with a 4090 i can run it for the most part smooth on max settings. That said i still would not trust recommended settings especially on Ultra. I would say to get at least Nvidia 2000 generation card if not 3000 if you want ultra and actually have it not run like garbage.

[2guildwars]

Thank You all. Well, in Poland new gaming PC will cost about 800 euro at least. Theoretically I can find some components for 400 althogether. The question is will they be possible to install on my old machine. All I want is to play smoothly with large unit size and possibly ultra units models. (for some great mods) The rest could be medium or even lower

[2guildwars]

By the way it is kind of frustrating, that I was able to play WH II quite well despite long loading times (yeah, I got an SSD, albeit not particularly strong). Regards

[Filthy Pollo 🐔]

GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950
2 GB VRAM

This won't help

[Eldi]

Originally posted by Filthy Pollo 🐔:

GPU NVIDIA GeForce GTX 950
2 GB VRAM

This won't help

Hence the upgrade

OP, might be good if you can post a few systems in your price range.

I've no idea about polish regional pricing sorry.
GPU is king though and likely require most of your budget.
CPU and ram can be relatively cheap in comparison.

[Nomak Drome]

I'm still running on an i7-6700 CPU @ 3.40GHz with GTX970 and it's performing okay at this time.

[strike478]

Originally posted by CoerciveUtopian:

I doubt you will be able to play on ultra at a low price.

I found a 1070ti used for 200$ and 32gb RAM is pretty cheap. I can play on high graphics with that. Don't forget to use a SSD too if you don't already have one.

32GB is useless for this game 12-16 is enough. Also SSD can work as virtual ram and give ok results even for PC's with 8gb.

[Greldinart]

SSD, best upgrade for the game.
->loading map or battle less than 20scd.

[strike478]

Originally posted by Greldinart:

SSD, best upgrade for the game.
->loading map or battle less than 20scd.

After installing windows and first games. Even best SSD need 20-25 seconds after year of use. 20 sec is is stat taken from enthusiasts who benchmarked it right after fresh install of windows, drivers and game.

[Eldrin]

Originally posted by 2guildwars:

Thank You all. Well, in Poland new gaming PC will cost about 800 euro at least. Theoretically I can find some components for 400 althogether. The question is will they be possible to install on my old machine. All I want is to play smoothly with large unit size and possibly ultra units models. (for some great mods) The rest could be medium or even lower

The moment you upgrade your CPU you will need a new Mobo. Chances are that the new mobo will support the old RAM but if it is very slow simply upgrading another two sticks of ram to a total of 16gb might not be enough.

Upgrading your video card along with CPU, Mobo, and extra ram will also most likely mean you need a new PSU as nvidia 2000 and 3000 series consume far far more power.

Finally with each generation nvidia video cards get BIGGER and BIGGER. If you put your 950 next to a 4090 you would literally be thinking wtf is this, the size differences are INSANE. Now 2000 and 3000 series arent nowhere near as insane but if you have a small case you might need a new one as the 2000 or 3000 series card might not fit.

[noxxnoxx]

Originally posted by strike478:

Originally posted by Greldinart:

SSD, best upgrade for the game.
->loading map or battle less than 20scd.

After installing windows and first games. Even best SSD need 20-25 seconds after year of use. 20 sec is is stat taken from enthusiasts who benchmarked it right after fresh install of windows, drivers and game.

Ehh I think I do 20secs at most a lot.. but I'm on PCI-E 5.0 NVME and a 7800X3D, so hmm. 🤔

EDIT: I just stopwatched loading a battle on the smol/medium side, took 15.5 seconds! :D

[trooperrob]

I would guess the most improvement would be from (changing) the video card.
16 gig ram might make a difference,
Any more than that and you are better off saving for a new machine. - everything will be faster! Get a much faster CPU and you need to change the motherboard etc...
most games are not great at getting the best out of multicore on the CPU, but graphics drivers are good at getting the best out of cards.
You also need to consider the age of your machine, bits might start failing.


- Play WH2 - its faster!

[FG42]

look at benchmarks and find out if TW WH3 is more CPU or GPU bound and spend more on what is needed more. Considering the nature of the game i assume it is heavily CPU bound though.
Might want to check out AMD CPU if money is limited. Buy a cheap AM4 mainboard + a cpu that performs well (58003dX). you can get them really cheap even brand new.
But like i said check some benchmarks first.