p6td deluxe, i7 930 @ 2.8 ghz, gts 250? - should I upgrade some parts or new build for gaming?

[*****]

So as stated I have a Asus P6TD Deluxe motherboard and i7 930 processor in my current computer that was built like 6 years ago. It also only has 6gb ram, and a old graphics card that has never been updated (gts 250).

I don't really care about graphics being on high or anything but would like to be able to run any game without spending much money (really want to play Mafia 3).

I also have been attempting to learn Unreal Engine 4 and would like to be able to render textures, load levels, etc faster. I'm assuming this is mostly if not entirely GPU and RAM?

Is this motherboard worth still using?

Are there any significantly better for my purposes cpus that are cheap and would work with this MB?

Should I get more RAM and how much, what kind? Would it work on a newer MB if I wait a year to rebuild and swap out some parts or is the newer memory a different speed or slot or something now?

Is the nvidia gtx 1050 probably the best bang for buck (when it comes out)? Will it work with my MB? If not what would you recommend?

Does it just make more sense to build something new and try to find another use for this computer?

I don't have much money and it would be tough to afford a new build right now but I would hate to just piss away money on such a old computer if it can't perform well and I will have to rebuild anyways.

[*****]

Origineel geplaatst door banzaigtv:

You could try overclocking your CPU and getting a GTX 950. 2.8 GB CPU cores are a bit slow these days. If you could upgrade the PSU to at least 600w and get a decent CPU cooler, then you can get good overclocks and prevent bottlenecking most current GPUs.

So if I just keep cpu as as is you think a GTX 1060 6gb would be overkill? I don't really have a good understanding of how computers work. The CPU can't send GPU stuff to render fast enough or something?

I'm looking around and it looks like I can get a 4GB RAM card that would work with this MB for like 21 bucks. That would be "wasted" money as it won't work with a new MB but should speed things up for me nicely on the cheap.

With the graphics card it looks like I can get GTX 1060 for around 250 or a little less. I very well may build something new in a year or so and that would be reused as I'm not obsessed with graphics quality and could just put the POS250GTS back in this if I still want to use it for something.

It looks like a gtx 950 is about $100 - 120 cheaper but would that also be worth reusing? Also I have read the new 1050 will be around 150 which is about what the 950 is. I would think (hope) 1050 would be better then the 950 and also maybe reusable? Do you think 950 or 1050 will be below minimum specs for new games anytime soon?

[*****]

Oh wait even the GTX 950 you think I would have to overclock cpu to get full use of? What do you think is the fastest card I could fully use right now is?

[The Rock God]

You have triple-channel memory. Don't add a single 4GB stick to it. Replace your 3x2GB with a 3x4GB set.

A GTX 1060 would be a fine (and huge) upgrade. It also uses less power than a GTS 250, though I'd still recommend replacing the PSU.

[*****]

Origineel geplaatst door The Rock God:

You have triple-channel memory. Don't add a single 4GB stick to it. Replace your 3x2GB with a 3x4GB set.

A GTX 1060 would be a fine (and huge) upgrade. It also uses less power than a GTS 250, though I'd still recommend replacing the PSU.

Anything remotely new would be a huge upgrade at this point lol.

Why do you say don't add a single stick to it? Is that not possible (has to be in 3's?)? Do they all need to be the same size? It has 6 memory slots so theres room for it without taking one out.

You don't think the 400W is enough power? I guess it doesn't matter if I buy one now or later as it can be reused.

I think for now I'm just going to wait for 1050 to be released and try to figure out a card to buy then figure out if it makes sense to spend for memory that might only be of use for a year or so before I upgrade. Ill start looking at power supplies as that will be needed no matter what and probably won't change in price much in a year.

Thanks for the advice.

[banzaigtv]

If you don't overclock your CPU, a GTX 950 should be fine. You will need CPU overclocking for a GTX 1060, though.

[Brimac]

He said the system is 6 years old, no use pushing that generic psu further. All depends on how much you want to spend. A gtx 1060 + new psu could be used now, then transfer them later when you save enough to upgrade mobo/cpu/mem.

[_I_]

post a cpuz validation link
http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/cpu-z.html
cpuz -> validate button -> submit button
it will open a browser, copy the url (address) and paste it here


the first gen i7 is an easy overclocker if its not an oem mobo
requires fast ram and good cpu cooling

guide here
http://www.overclock.net/t/538439/guide-to-overclocking-the-core-i7-920-or-930-to-4-0ghz

but get a better gpu, gts 250 is ancient, go with a gtx 970 or better
8g+ of fast ram is recomended for newer games

Origineel geplaatst door The Rock God:

You have triple-channel memory. Don't add a single 4GB stick to it. Replace your 3x2GB with a 3x4GB set.

A GTX 1060 would be a fine (and huge) upgrade. It also uses less power than a GTS 250, though I'd still recommend replacing the PSU.

tri channel is no faster than dual
go with a 2x or 3x matching kit 1866+ if the mobo supports overclocking

[banzaigtv]

An i7-930 is 💩 nowadays if not overclocked. If you don't know anything about overclocking, then you should get a lower-grade GPU or start over with a new build.

[Pasi123]

Origineel geplaatst door banzaigtv:

An i7-930 is 💩 nowadays if not overclocked. If you don't know anything about overclocking, then you should get a lower-grade GPU or start over with a new build.

It is still pretty good cpu. A few mounths ago I still had i7-950 (same chip but higher clock speed) with GTX 960 and that gpu was the biggest bottleneck.
The only reason why I upgraded to X5670 was video rendering

[Alexalmighty502]

why not get a gtx 1060?

[banzaigtv]

You could grab a GTX 1060 and if your CPU starts bottlenecking badly, then upgrade the CPU / mobo / RAM. An i5-6600k or i7-6700k should be a sufficient upgrade for gaming.

[_I_]

1060 would be fine if he can overclock the i7 9x0 to 3.8-4ghz

[76561198332133266]

Current build:
First gen CPU - OK
GPU - upgrade
Ram - OK
PSU - Upgrade probably needed if new components, double check before

First gen CPU's are cheap and can be found on ebay that will work for your motherboard, same goes aswell for GPU's. Buy used if on a tight budget and not new "bang for the buck". Look for a used 390/960-970 but a 750 ti will also be sufficient for your needs and is the "budget" card.

New build:
Used GPU
Used CPU
Used RAM

New PSU ?
New motherboard

Your HDD
Your case
Windows 10 is free to use (100 $ saved)

Sell other stuff you don't use on current build and then a new build doesn't have to be "new" and it can be quite cheap actually

[*****]

I know nothing about overclocking and with my luck would fry the computer lol.

I never really watch my cpu and memory usage but decided to look at it while messing around in UE4 editor to see what happens. It was running better then usually for some reason and I added a bunch of stuff to a level with no problem.

Then I added "bogmyrtle_01" that comes with the kitedemo (triangles: 2537, vertices: 2543, UVChannels: 7, materials: 2, aprox size 45x49x96, lods: 3). It took 30ish seconds to compile shaders and the CPU usage spiked to 95 percent. Memory usually is about 5 just idle with it open and higher when doing anything.

I added some more stuff and then hit build lighting lol. It peaked at 98% CPU usage and 5.9 GB memory usage. Its still at 0% complete after about 2 minute although CPU usage is now down to 44% memory at 5.7 GB. Computer is randomly freezeing while typing this now.

Do you think I will still have this type of problem with a new GPU and more RAM?

[*****]

Origineel geplaatst door p a i n:

Current build:
First gen CPU - OK
GPU - upgrade
Ram - OK
PSU - Upgrade probably needed if new components, double check before

First gen CPU's are cheap and can be found on ebay that will work for your motherboard, same goes aswell for GPU's. Buy used if on a tight budget and not new "bang for the buck". Look for a used 390/960-970 but a 750 ti will also be sufficient for your needs and is the "budget" card.

New build:
Used GPU
Used CPU
Used RAM

New PSU ?
New motherboard

Your HDD
Your case
Windows 10 is free to use (100 $ saved)

Sell other stuff you don't use on current build and then a new build doesn't have to be "new" and it can be quite cheap actually

So with a 750ti 2GB you think I can run just about any game on low settings with my 6gb memory? Just maybe need a new PSU? I could probably get both for around 100 total which isnt too bad.

Any advice on where to get used parts cheap? Is ebay about the only option?