HELP! Is my PC anygood or do i just need a new graphics card?

[Urban]

Hi All,

Please help me as I am a complete “noob” when it comes to pc gaming.

I am bored of the limitations of console gaming and have recently got Steam installed on my computer, I initially got it and ran with half life 2 which is does pretty well. However I have now moved onto Skyrim, as this was the main reason for getting steam.

However it is practically unplayable, I have to have all the settings on the lowest, which makes it look worse then the xbox 360 version , even on the lowes settings the FPS limit is at time running at 10-15fps, which is unplayable, ive gone through all the tweaks on the .ini files and installed all the booster mods, but still it looks rubbish and is so slow as hell.

I have copied my system specs below; the question I have is, will me buying a better graphics card be the solution so I can play on high/ultra settings with good fps rate, or will I need a new cpu, graphics card, memory etc. im new to pc gaming so really have no idea what to do?

Oerating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 7850 Dual-Core Processor, MMX, 3DNow (2 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 3328MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8500 GT

Any help would be much appreciated

Regards
Andy

[oldwrld]

you need a new graphics card for sure. you also need a new cpu and new ram, basically a whole new rig. Your ram im gonna guess is DDR2, today we use DDR3 this means all the new games will lag really badly on that rig.

OP id advice buying a new computer over upgrading that one, as youll waste more money for little benifit on the upgrading of such old hardware over outright buying a new computer.

Since you cannot build ill give you proper specs of a modest rig.

AMD FX 8350
GTX 660ti
16GB of ram
750W PSU
The motherboard depends on your price range for it.

[Zukabazuka]

Next question would be how much money would you be willing to spend when it comes to upgrading. Might need a new PSU too.

[Urban]

Thansk for the reply's all.

Yea sounds like a new pc is required, which is good in a way as i can start from fresh and enjoy the games as there suppose to be played.

My price range is around £600-£800, i could stretch a little further but dont want to over spend on somethign that may need upgrading again a few years down the line.

I have seen the below priced at £750, how would this stack up?

The Vortex 750 Gaming PC

•Intel® Core™ i5-4590
•ASUS® Z97M-PLUS
•8GB Kingston DDR3 1600MHz
•2GB AMD RADEON™ R9 270X
•1TB 3.5" SATA-III 6GB/s

Thanks again

[Pomelo]

Автор сообщения: The iron masked knight.

Since you cannot build ill give you proper specs of a modest rig.

AMD FX 8350
GTX 660ti
16GB of ram
750W PSU
The motherboard depends on your price range for it.

a) FX is outdated and AM3+ is a dead end. Better get an Intel for a little more, it'll outperform the FX
b) 660Ti is outdated, can get a 270X or better for that price
c) 16GB of RAM is unnecessary for a "modest" rig. 8GB will do fine, especially as OP likely wont want to spend too much on the rig
d) 750W PSU is only needed for Multi-GPU. However a "modest" rig wont be SLI/Crossfire. Also a single GPU setup is always preferable to a multi GPU setup (microstutter, bad scaling, power consumption, heat etc).

more like
i5 4xxx(-k if you want to OC)
mobo depends, for haswell opt for Z87 if OCing or B85/H87 if not, for Haswell Refresh Z97 if OC or H97 if not
8GB DDR3-1600 CL9 (2x4GB)
R9 270X / GTX760 or better
1TB 7200rpm HDD
quality 500-600W PSU (Seasonic, XFX, be Quiet!, Corsair)
and ofc a Case
also a disc drive if you want

this will perform very good without stretching the budget too much (optional upgrades are e.g. SSD)

[Monkey Mafia]

Автор сообщения: The iron masked knight.

you need a new graphics card for sure. you also need a new cpu and new ram, basically a whole new rig. Your ram im gonna guess is DDR2, today we use DDR3 this means all the new games will lag really badly on that rig.

OP id advice buying a new computer over upgrading that one, as youll waste more money for little benifit on the upgrading of such old hardware over outright buying a new computer.

Since you cannot build ill give you proper specs of a modest rig.

AMD FX 8350
GTX 660ti
16GB of ram
750W PSU
The motherboard depends on your price range for it.

16GB is overkill

[Saifear]

besides agreeing to what was already said (vadim best), I think your main problem is the graphic card.
You COULD just buy a new one and be fine without playing on ultra of course.

But because thats the most expensive part and not the exclusive solution to your problems a new thing would be the best idea therefore.

and i dont know the prices in england, but I could build a good one with about 600 to 800 euros (not pounds..), so this should be totally fine for the next 4-5 years if you dont have to high needs..

[bchuvz]

The AMD FX 6 and 8 core chips are plenty of power for modern gaming on a budget. Tom's Hardware gives the 6-core version an honorable mention for a 1080p target system on a budget.

[ZigZach]

If you are on a budget go with AMD, despite what other people say you will be very pleased with the performance you get. Intel chips are more efficient, that being said, I feel AMD offers a much better price/performance margin.

[Monkey Mafia]

i would get a intel i3 and later upgrade

[ZigZach]

TomHardware suggested it, it's exactly that, a suggestion. I use a FX-6200 at home, and a FX-8350 in my office. I game almost everyday on my home computer, and have only recently had to start making graphical changes(eg running at high settings instead of ultra). I am speaking from actual experience with both of those cpu's, not a benchmark or article. I am still very happy with the performance I get from my 2 year old CPU, and even happier with this newer 8350. So I could care less what your link says, my experience shows me that these 2 chips are very good, and able to perform in any task I give them.

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/GksRgs

[upcoast]

http://www.techspot.com/review/827-watch-dogs-benchmarks/page5.html

And more http://www.techspot.com/reviews/graphics-cards/#gaming

TBH, I still play on a x4 980 and 2 6870s xfire, recently bought SE3 and getting 80-130 fps ultra/high. Nothing wrong with a $100-$116 FX6300 at all or amd in general, get what you can afford and don't skimp on the vid card.

http://www.techspot.com/review/467-skyrim-performance/page7.html

Skyrim favors intel ^.

[chiefputsilao✖️ping]

if you want to buy new components:
cheap:
intel pentium 20th anniversary edition (G3258)
asus h81 mobo (or h97, or if you overclock, switch to asus z97)
2x2gb ddr3-1600 gskill (or if you want it, 2x2gb ddr3-2133 gskill) (max ram = 8gb)
SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze power supply unit
nvidia gtx 750 or amd equivalent (or higher)
1tb hdd seagate, hitachi, western digital
ssd optional
windows 8.1 pro x64 OS
antec one pc case (or your favorite cheap pc chassis)

expensive:
intel core i7-4770k (or i7-4790k)
asus z97 (or other z97 mobo)
2x4gb ddr3-1600 (or if you want it, 2x4gb ddr3-2133 gskill) (max ram = 16gb)
SeaSonic M12II 850 bronze power supply unit (may need more wattage if SLI, X-Fire?)
nvidia gtx 780 or amd equivalent (or higher)
3tb hdd
ssd
windows 8.1 pro x64 OS
your favorite expensive pc chassis

[Pomelo]

why would you, in these days, go for 4GB RAM? Or a G3258 with a non-Z motherboard?

If you wanna save money, get an i3 on a B85/H87 (or then H97) board, 8GB DDR3-1600 RAM and the rest which you suggested.

Also, a 850W PSU is already sufficient for multi GPU. If you stay with one GPU, a quality 500-600W PSU will run any single GPU system without issues. Except for maybe a FX9000+290X, but nobody in their right mind would go for a FX9000.

Also, no need for an expensive case. Expensive doesnt equal quality. Take a good case, not an expensive case.

Also, while 3TB make the build more expensive, they are not needed if he wanted to get more performance but still keep the price as low as possible. Then an SSD would still be optional and a 1TB HDD would do fine.

Also if you want to save money, why go for Win 8.1 Pro instead of simply Win 8.1?

[chiefputsilao✖️ping]

why would you, in these days, go for 4GB RAM?

because not everybody needs more than 4gb ram.

Or a G3258 with a non-Z motherboard?

because if rumors are correct, the unlocked pentium g3258 has the same performance gaming-wise as that of the more expensive i5-4430.

because of budget-constraints, the buyer has the option of buying the cheapest mobo he can at the moment, then switch to z97 when the pocket permits.

If you wanna save money, get an i3 on a B85/H87 (or then H97) board,

because if rumors are correct, the unlocked pentium g3258 has the same performance gaming-wise as that of the more expensive i5-4430.

Also, a 850W PSU is already sufficient for multi GPU. If you stay with one GPU, a quality 500-600W PSU will run any single GPU system without issues. Except for maybe a FX9000+290X, but nobody in their right mind would go for a FX9000.

basically agree with you in this aspect. the + is for allowance if the buyer opts for multiple power-hungry amd r9 290x.
beside, seasonic 500w + has almost the same price as the 620W.

Also, no need for an expensive case. Expensive doesnt equal quality. Take a good case, not an expensive case.

we don't have an idea what the buyer prefers.
i'm not losing a sleep if he buys a 50$ chassis or a 500$ one.

Also, while 3TB make the build more expensive, they are not needed if he wanted to get more performance but still keep the price as low as possible. Then an SSD would still be optional and a 1TB HDD would do fine.

we don't know if the buyer has a vast library of music, videos, and games.
since this part is in the 'expensive' build, why choose 1tb?

Also if you want to save money, why go for Win 8.1 Pro instead of simply Win 8.1?

again, this is in the 'expensive' suggestion.
besides windows 8.1 pro is there because of its advantages over the core.
(if windows OS is expensive, why not use linux?)

the buyer is free to follow my suggestions, wholly or partly, or reject it completely.
i am not the one looking for advice.

Автор сообщения: upcoast

http://www.techspot.com/review/827-watch-dogs-benchmarks/page5.html

And more http://www.techspot.com/reviews/graphics-cards/#gaming

TBH, I still play on a x4 980 and 2 6870s xfire, recently bought SE3 and getting 80-130 fps ultra/high. Nothing wrong with a $100-$116 FX6300 at all or amd in general, get what you can afford and don't skimp on the vid card.

http://www.techspot.com/review/467-skyrim-performance/page7.html

Skyrim favors intel ^.

i like this suggestion/information.