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How far behind is Core 2 Duo and DDR2 these days?


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Well, I know C2D CPUs aren't that great nowadays, and DDR2 has been replaced with DDR3, which will in turn be replaced by DDR4. I know my PC can't measure up to any of those, but I'm wondering how far did it fall behind.

 

While I'd be happier with buying a new PC, the components are quite expensive around here while incomes are rather pathetic, so I've been thinking of just upgrading the graphics card and leaving the rest (meaning CPU and mobo) as-is, if it's actually worth anything. The components I have at the moment are as follows (ugh, this is gonna be a long one so I'll just put it in a spoiler):

 

debian-lxde
    description: Desktop Computer
    product: System Product Name (To Be Filled By O.E.M.)
    vendor: System manufacturer
    version: System Version
    serial: System Serial Number
    width: 32 bits
    capabilities: smbios-2.5 dmi-2.5 smp-1.4 smp
    configuration: boot=normal chassis=desktop cpus=2 family=To Be Filled By O.E.M. sku=To Be Filled By O.E.M. uuid=C023B23C-DAB8-DE11-9CAF-90E6BAC94536
  *-core
       description: Motherboard
       product: P5KPL-AM IN/ROEM/SI
       vendor: ASUSTeK Computer INC.
       physical id: 0
       version: X.0x
       serial: MT7099K31903058
       slot: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
     *-firmware
          description: BIOS
          vendor: American Megatrends Inc.
          physical id: 0
          version: 0503
          date: 09/14/2009
          size: 64KiB
          capacity: 960KiB
          capabilities: isa pci pnp apm upgrade shadowing escd cdboot bootselect socketedrom edd int13floppy1200 int13floppy720 int13floppy2880 int5printscreen int9keyboard int14serial int17printer int10video acpi usb ls120boot zipboot biosbootspecification
     *-cpu:0
          description: CPU
          product: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E4500  @ 2.20GHz
          vendor: Intel Corp.
          physical id: 4
          bus info: cpu@0
          version: 6.15.13
          serial: 0000-06FD-0000-0000-0000-0000
          slot: Socket 775
          size: 1200MHz
          capacity: 3800MHz
          width: 64 bits
          clock: 273MHz
          capabilities: boot fpu fpu_exception wp vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx x86-64 constant_tsc arch_perfmon pebs bts aperfmperf pni dtes64 monitor ds_cpl est tm2 ssse3 cx16 xtpr pdcm lahf_lm dtherm cpufreq
          configuration: id=1
        *-cache:0
             description: L1 cache
             physical id: 5
             slot: L1-Cache
             size: 64KiB
             capacity: 64KiB
             capabilities: internal write-back data
        *-cache:1
             description: L2 cache
             physical id: 6
             slot: L2-Cache
             size: 2MiB
             capacity: 2MiB
             capabilities: internal write-back instruction
        *-logicalcpu:0
             description: Logical CPU
             physical id: 1.1
             width: 64 bits
             capabilities: logical
        *-logicalcpu:1
             description: Logical CPU
             physical id: 1.2
             width: 64 bits
             capabilities: logical
     *-memory
          description: System Memory
          physical id: 22
          slot: System board or motherboard
          size: 2GiB
        *-bank:0
             description: DIMM DDR2 Synchronous 800 MHz (1.2 ns)
             product: PartNum0
             vendor: Manufacturer0
             physical id: 0
             serial: SerNum0
             slot: DIMM A1
             size: 1GiB
             width: 64 bits
             clock: 800MHz (1.2ns)
        *-bank:1
             description: DIMM DDR2 Synchronous 800 MHz (1.2 ns)
             product: PartNum1
             vendor: Manufacturer1
             physical id: 1
             serial: SerNum1
             slot: DIMM B1
             size: 1GiB
             width: 64 bits
             clock: 800MHz (1.2ns)
     *-cpu:1
          physical id: 1
          bus info: cpu@1
          version: 6.15.13
          serial: 0000-06FD-0000-0000-0000-0000
          size: 1200MHz
          capacity: 1200MHz
          capabilities: ht cpufreq
          configuration: id=1
        *-logicalcpu:0
             description: Logical CPU
             physical id: 1.1
             capabilities: logical
        *-logicalcpu:1
             description: Logical CPU
             physical id: 1.2
             capabilities: logical
     *-pci
          description: Host bridge
          product: 82G33/G31/P35/P31 Express DRAM Controller
          vendor: Intel Corporation
          physical id: 100
          bus info: pci@0000:00:00.0
          version: 10
          width: 32 bits
          clock: 33MHz
        *-pci:0
             description: PCI bridge
             product: 82G33/G31/P35/P31 Express PCI Express Root Port
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1
             bus info: pci@0000:00:01.0
             version: 10
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pci pm msi pciexpress normal_decode bus_master cap_list
             configuration: driver=pcieport
             resources: irq:40 ioport:d000(size=4096) memory:fe900000-fe9fffff ioport:e0000000(size=268435456)
           *-display
                description: VGA compatible controller
                product: RV710 [Radeon HD 4350]
                vendor: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI
                physical id: 0
                bus info: pci@0000:01:00.0
                version: 00
                width: 64 bits
                clock: 33MHz
                capabilities: pm pciexpress msi vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom
                configuration: driver=fglrx_pci latency=0
                resources: irq:46 memory:e0000000-efffffff memory:fe9e0000-fe9effff ioport:d000(size=256) memory:fe9c0000-fe9dffff
           *-multimedia
                description: Audio device
                product: RV710/730 HDMI Audio [Radeon HD 4000 series]
                vendor: Advanced Micro Devices [AMD] nee ATI
                physical id: 0.1
                bus info: pci@0000:01:00.1
                version: 00
                width: 64 bits
                clock: 33MHz
                capabilities: pm pciexpress msi bus_master cap_list
                configuration: driver=snd_hda_intel latency=0
                resources: irq:45 memory:fe9fc000-fe9fffff
        *-multimedia
             description: Audio device
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family High Definition Audio Controller
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1b
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1b.0
             version: 01
             width: 64 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pm msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list
             configuration: driver=snd_hda_intel latency=0
             resources: irq:44 memory:fe8fc000-fe8fffff
        *-pci:1
             description: PCI bridge
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family PCI Express Port 1
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1c
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.0
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pci pciexpress msi pm normal_decode bus_master cap_list
             configuration: driver=pcieport
             resources: irq:41 ioport:1000(size=4096) memory:80200000-803fffff ioport:80400000(size=2097152)
        *-pci:2
             description: PCI bridge
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family PCI Express Port 2
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1c.1
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1c.1
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pci pciexpress msi pm normal_decode bus_master cap_list
             configuration: driver=pcieport
             resources: irq:42 ioport:e000(size=4096) memory:fea00000-feafffff ioport:80000000(size=2097152)
           *-network
                description: Ethernet interface
                product: RTL8101E/RTL8102E PCI Express Fast Ethernet controller
                vendor: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
                physical id: 0
                bus info: pci@0000:02:00.0
                logical name: eth0
                version: 01
                serial: 90:e6:ba:c9:45:36
                size: 10Mbit/s
                capacity: 100Mbit/s
                width: 64 bits
                clock: 33MHz
                capabilities: pm vpd msi pciexpress bus_master cap_list rom ethernet physical tp mii 10bt 10bt-fd 100bt 100bt-fd autonegotiation
                configuration: autonegotiation=on broadcast=yes driver=r8169 driverversion=2.3LK-NAPI duplex=half firmware=N/A latency=0 link=no multicast=yes port=MII speed=10Mbit/s
                resources: irq:43 ioport:e800(size=256) memory:feaff000-feafffff memory:feac0000-feadffff
        *-usb:0
             description: USB controller
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1d
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.0
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: uhci bus_master
             configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
             resources: irq:23 ioport:c480(size=32)
        *-usb:1
             description: USB controller
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1d.1
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.1
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: uhci bus_master
             configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
             resources: irq:19 ioport:c800(size=32)
        *-usb:2
             description: USB controller
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1d.2
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.2
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: uhci bus_master
             configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
             resources: irq:18 ioport:c880(size=32)
        *-usb:3
             description: USB controller
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family USB UHCI Controller #4
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1d.3
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.3
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: uhci bus_master
             configuration: driver=uhci_hcd latency=0
             resources: irq:16 ioport:cc00(size=32)
        *-usb:4
             description: USB controller
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1d.7
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1d.7
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pm debug ehci bus_master cap_list
             configuration: driver=ehci_hcd latency=0
             resources: irq:23 memory:fe8fbc00-fe8fbfff
        *-pci:3
             description: PCI bridge
             product: 82801 PCI Bridge
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1e
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1e.0
             version: e1
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: pci subtractive_decode bus_master cap_list
             resources: memory:feb00000-febfffff
           *-network
                description: Wireless interface
                product: AR9227 Wireless Network Adapter
                vendor: Atheros Communications Inc.
                physical id: 0
                bus info: pci@0000:04:00.0
                logical name: wlan0
                version: 01
                serial: a0:f3:c1:87:0f:7b
                width: 32 bits
                clock: 66MHz
                capabilities: pm bus_master cap_list ethernet physical wireless
                configuration: broadcast=yes driver=ath9k driverversion=3.2.0-4-686-pae firmware=N/A ip=192.168.1.5 latency=168 link=yes multicast=yes wireless=IEEE 802.11bgn
                resources: irq:20 memory:febf0000-febfffff
        *-isa
             description: ISA bridge
             product: 82801GB/GR (ICH7 Family) LPC Interface Bridge
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1f
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.0
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: isa bus_master cap_list
             configuration: latency=0
        *-ide:0
             description: IDE interface
             product: 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1f.1
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.1
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             capabilities: ide bus_master
             configuration: driver=ata_piix latency=0
             resources: irq:18 ioport:1f0(size=:cool: ioport:3f6 ioport:170(size=:cool: ioport:376 ioport:ffa0(size=16)
        *-ide:1
             description: IDE interface
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family SATA Controller [IDE mode]
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1f.2
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.2
             logical name: scsi2
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 66MHz
             capabilities: ide pm bus_master cap_list emulated
             configuration: driver=ata_piix latency=0
             resources: irq:19 ioport:c400(size=:cool: ioport:c080(size=4) ioport:c000(size=:cool: ioport:bc00(size=4) ioport:b880(size=16)
           *-disk:0
                description: ATA Disk
                product: ST3250318AS
                vendor: Seagate
                physical id: 0.0.0
                bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0
                logical name: /dev/sda
                version: CC38
                serial: 9VMAMALK
                size: 232GiB (250GB)
                capabilities: partitioned partitioned:dos
                configuration: ansiversion=5 sectorsize=512 signature=d5ad5be3
              *-volume:0
                   description: EXT4 volume
                   vendor: Linux
                   physical id: 1
                   bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0,1
                   logical name: /dev/sda1
                   logical name: /media/home
                   version: 1.0
                   serial: bbdb3193-d49f-4469-afea-ac85bf043227
                   size: 219GiB
                   capacity: 219GiB
                   capabilities: primary journaled extended_attributes large_files huge_files dir_nlink recover extents ext4 ext2 initialized
                   configuration: created=2013-07-22 16:08:46 filesystem=ext4 label=home lastmountpoint=/home modified=2013-08-10 16:55:21 mount.fstype=ext4 mount.options=rw,nosuid,nodev,relatime,user_xattr,barrier=1,data=ordered mounted=2013-08-10 16:55:21 state=mounted
              *-volume:1
                   description: EXT4 volume
                   vendor: Linux
                   physical id: 2
                   bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0,2
                   logical name: /dev/sda2
                   logical name: /media/Debian GNOME
                   version: 1.0
                   serial: 32564f60-4062-467b-b598-884071d5307c
                   size: 10GiB
                   capacity: 10GiB
                   capabilities: primary journaled extended_attributes large_files huge_files dir_nlink extents ext4 ext2 initialized
                   configuration: created=2013-07-24 17:52:44 filesystem=ext4 label=Debian GNOME lastmountpoint=/ modified=2013-08-10 18:54:04 mount.fstype=ext4 mount.options=rw,nosuid,nodev,relatime,user_xattr,barrier=1,data=ordered mounted=2013-08-10 18:54:04 state=mounted
              *-volume:2
                   description: Linux swap volume
                   physical id: 3
                   bus info: scsi@2:0.0.0,3
                   logical name: /dev/sda3
                   version: 1
                   serial: 640f5290-7c1b-4ff4-af01-9669ef36a6df
                   size: 2049MiB
                   capacity: 2049MiB
                   capabilities: primary nofs swap initialized
                   configuration: filesystem=swap pagesize=4096
           *-disk:1
                description: ATA Disk
                product: Hitachi HDT72103
                vendor: Hitachi
                physical id: 0.1.0
                bus info: scsi@2:0.1.0
                logical name: /dev/sdb
                version: ST2O
                serial: STF202ML367TLP
                size: 298GiB (320GB)
                capabilities: partitioned partitioned:dos
                configuration: ansiversion=5 sectorsize=512 signature=000d00f1
              *-volume:0
                   description: EXT4 volume
                   vendor: Linux
                   physical id: 1
                   bus info: scsi@2:0.1.0,1
                   logical name: /dev/sdb1
                   logical name: /home
                   version: 1.0
                   serial: aad17a10-c4c7-4216-a16b-a3686b49bab7
                   size: 279GiB
                   capacity: 279GiB
                   capabilities: primary journaled extended_attributes large_files huge_files dir_nlink recover extents ext4 ext2 initialized
                   configuration: created=2013-08-08 20:27:24 filesystem=ext4 label=games-home lastmountpoint=/home modified=2013-08-10 16:54:57 mount.fstype=ext4 mount.options=rw,relatime,user_xattr,barrier=1,data=ordered mounted=2013-08-10 16:54:57 state=mounted
              *-volume:1
                   description: EXT4 volume
                   vendor: Linux
                   physical id: 2
                   bus info: scsi@2:0.1.0,2
                   logical name: /dev/sdb2
                   logical name: /
                   version: 1.0
                   serial: 6afa5fe3-9e5c-493e-965b-0f547017fff4
                   size: 16GiB
                   capacity: 16GiB
                   capabilities: primary bootable journaled extended_attributes large_files huge_files dir_nlink recover extents ext4 ext2 initialized
                   configuration: created=2013-08-08 20:27:28 filesystem=ext4 label=Debian LXDE lastmountpoint=/ modified=2013-08-10 16:54:56 mount.fstype=ext4 mount.options=rw,relatime,errors=remount-ro,user_xattr,barrier=1,data=ordered mounted=2013-08-10 16:54:56 state=mounted
              *-volume:2
                   description: Linux swap volume
                   physical id: 3
                   bus info: scsi@2:0.1.0,3
                   logical name: /dev/sdb3
                   version: 1
                   serial: 5e7d5acf-c177-494e-bd06-1ddb2d9bbc81
                   size: 1880MiB
                   capacity: 1880MiB
                   capabilities: primary nofs swap initialized
                   configuration: filesystem=swap pagesize=4096
        *-serial
             description: SMBus
             product: NM10/ICH7 Family SMBus Controller
             vendor: Intel Corporation
             physical id: 1f.3
             bus info: pci@0000:00:1f.3
             version: 01
             width: 32 bits
             clock: 33MHz
             configuration: driver=i801_smbus latency=0
             resources: irq:19 ioport:400(size=32)

 

Ignore the fact that my HDDs are shown as PATA, they are in fact SATA but my BIOS is stupid.

 

The CPU is a Core 2 Duo E4500 with a stock frequency of 2.20GHz and two threads, 11x multiplier with a stock FSB frequency of 200MHz. The FSB has been raised to 273MHz with the CPU reaching the frequency of 3.0GHz, it can go to 275MHz but anything over that makes problems.

 

I'm not actually too knowledgable about RAM though, my guess is 1.2 nanoseconds is good (?) but 2GB isn't and I know that much, so I'm thinking of expanding that to 4, or preferably 8GB. DDR3 would require a new mobo which would require a new CPU and then I might as well change the whole damn thing.

 

In case the above is worth something, I'll swap out my Radeon HD 4350 with a GAINWARD Nvidia GeForce 650, 1GB GDDR5 VRAM, which I think is pretty decent and it's also the best graphics card I can afford for that kind of money around here. Got some money selling old crap, not much but enough for a new graphics card or another budget PC.

 

The games I intend to play are not that CPU demanding (well, they chill at 40% CPU usage, reaching 63% tops). You know, Fallout 3, New Vegas, that sort of thing. Even Skyrim doesn't use 100% of it, ME3 comes close though. I'm hoping to be able to run FO4 once it comes out, I'd be perfectly happy with 26FPS and less but more wouldn't hurt.

 

So, seeing as how the current hardware will support the games I play at the moment, for how long do you guys think I'll be able to drag this old CPU before it becomes completely useless? How long until the games run it over completely and it wouldn't be able to run them? And finally, is this hunk of metal I call a PC actually useful anymore, or is it already a museum exhibit?

 

Those are the things I'd like to know, please be gentle and try not to laugh at it much.

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Fallout 4 will most likely be relased for next-gen gaming (xbox one and the like)...that means your chances of being able to run it are small. Even if you can, it will be trash.

 

I've had a pathetic pc (far worse than yours) for...8 years or something. At the beginning you think "oh well, 20 fps isn't that bad" but after a while it really starts to affect your patience.

 

If you can afford an i7 processor, buy it. Even i5 is too slow for me, i want everything now now fast fast. Also, if you're buying new ram, yes. DDR3 is the way. I sit at 1600Mhz dual channel (that means, you buy a motherboard compatible with dual-channel RAM that can support that ram speed or 1333 is fine too) i personally have 8gb ram (2 x 4gb) and everything runs very smoothly.

 

I built my pc with months of researching cost-efficiency so if it helps at all, here it is:

 

Video: Radeon HD 7770 (it's very similar in performance to the one you want to buy)

 

Processor: Intel i7 2660k (when i bought it, it was the fastest. Now it's i7 3370k or something)

 

Motherboard: GA-Z77M-D3H (from Gygabite. It's actually cheap and supports 8 ram slots, 2 video card slots and all that stuff)

 

RAM: XJAWS ( yea, something like that. 2 x 4 gb running at 1600Mhz)

 

hard disk doesn't matter. Just try to avoid 1tb ones. They don't really work well... for me.

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Your PC is pretty much a brick for new games, no offense. You'd be better off selling it and putting the cash towards something new. 2GB of DDR2 is virtually useless for upper-end games now, and it probably won't even hit minimum settings this time next year. Same for the CPU and video card. If you can't upgrade due to the expense, I recommend getting at least 4GB of RAM total, plus the 650. The RAM should be relatively cheap anywhere.

 

A GTX 650 is a reasonably good mid-range card, but it's honestly a bit of a waste with your other parts.

 

These aren't recommendations, but I am going to list my specs. I plan on competing directly with the PS4, and beating it once I add another video card. All things together, it cost me about $1000, but I could have gotten it for $700 or less if I'd been more experienced when I started building it.

 

RAM: 8GB DDR3 Ripjaw RAM, at 1600Mhz

CPU: AMD Phenom II 955 Quad Core, at 3.2Ghz

PSU: Antec Earthwatt modular 750w

GPU: GTX 660 GC 2GB GDDR5, with a core clock at 1Ghz

HDD: 1TB Hitachi model at 7.2Ghz

Edited by Rennn
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Fallout 4 will most likely be relased for next-gen gaming (xbox one and the like)...that means your chances of being able to run it are small. Even if you can, it will be trash.

 

I've had a pathetic pc (far worse than yours) for...8 years or something. At the beginning you think "oh well, 20 fps isn't that bad" but after a while it really starts to affect your patience.

 

If you can afford an i7 processor, buy it. Even i5 is too slow for me, i want everything now now fast fast. Also, if you're buying new ram, yes. DDR3 is the way. I sit at 1600Mhz dual channel (that means, you buy a motherboard compatible with dual-channel RAM that can support that ram speed or 1333 is fine too) i personally have 8gb ram (2 x 4gb) and everything runs very smoothly.

 

I built my pc with months of researching cost-efficiency so if it helps at all, here it is:

 

Video: Radeon HD 7770 (it's very similar in performance to the one you want to buy)

 

Processor: Intel i7 2660k (when i bought it, it was the fastest. Now it's i7 3370k or something)

 

Motherboard: GA-Z77M-D3H (from Gygabite. It's actually cheap and supports 8 ram slots, 2 video card slots and all that stuff)

 

RAM: XJAWS ( yea, something like that. 2 x 4 gb running at 1600Mhz)

 

hard disk doesn't matter. Just try to avoid 1tb ones. They don't really work well... for me.

Wait... What are you talking about?

 

I5 and i7 are identical in performance with the current game generation.

You can also get Xeon 1230v2 or v3 to get the best "bang for buck" if you do something that benefits from HT. It's basically 3770k/4770k without iGPU and can't be OC'd, but costs 100 less.

And 4670k/4770k/1230v3 are the newest CPUs, new cpu generation (haswell) and mobo socket (1150, z87/h87/etc.) were released this year.

 

I see no sense in putting hd7770 on 2600k rig... 2600k can run 2 titans without bottlenecking...

Edited by kalikka
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I think it's time to bite the bullet and replace it, this time next year you won't be able to play any of the new releases. A newish i5 along with 8-12GB of RAM should do you, the new consoles will be making greater use of the GPU so that's where you'll want to spend the money. You'll need a 64bit OS as well.

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Bite the bullet? that monstrosity needs a bullet in the casing! It's time to get a new PC.

 

http://i.ebayimg.com/14/!CF7by9gEGk~$(KGrHqQOKpEE0WD9-hRvBN(CTLu+og~~_35.JPG?set_id=8800005007

 

This is about all a core-2 duo based system will run.

It's a darn good game but it's hardly complicated graphical

software.

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Yeah, I had a feeling I'd just have to replace my PC, I wish it weren't so. Won't be assembling it out of new stuff this time around, now I'll look into buying used parts. Since the price of components around here is like they're made out of solid gold with diamonds, the Core i{3-7} stuff is out of the question. I'm thinking AMD this time, I may like Intel more when it comes to CPUs but they are far more expensive. With a budget of 500$ if I manage to sell this thing, I'm stretched pretty thin.

 

*sigh* I hate electronics. :sad: If someone can suggest any cheap components that are actually worth anything, I'd be greatful.

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Fallout 4 will most likely be relased for next-gen gaming (xbox one and the like)...that means your chances of being able to run it are small. Even if you can, it will be trash.

 

I've had a pathetic pc (far worse than yours) for...8 years or something. At the beginning you think "oh well, 20 fps isn't that bad" but after a while it really starts to affect your patience.

 

If you can afford an i7 processor, buy it. Even i5 is too slow for me, i want everything now now fast fast. Also, if you're buying new ram, yes. DDR3 is the way. I sit at 1600Mhz dual channel (that means, you buy a motherboard compatible with dual-channel RAM that can support that ram speed or 1333 is fine too) i personally have 8gb ram (2 x 4gb) and everything runs very smoothly.

 

I built my pc with months of researching cost-efficiency so if it helps at all, here it is:

 

Video: Radeon HD 7770 (it's very similar in performance to the one you want to buy)

 

Processor: Intel i7 2660k (when i bought it, it was the fastest. Now it's i7 3370k or something)

 

Motherboard: GA-Z77M-D3H (from Gygabite. It's actually cheap and supports 8 ram slots, 2 video card slots and all that stuff)

 

RAM: XJAWS ( yea, something like that. 2 x 4 gb running at 1600Mhz)

 

hard disk doesn't matter. Just try to avoid 1tb ones. They don't really work well... for me.

Wait... What are you talking about?

 

I5 and i7 are identical in performance with the current game generation.

You can also get Xeon 1230v2 or v3 to get the best "bang for buck" if you do something that benefits from HT. It's basically 3770k/4770k without iGPU and can't be OC'd, but costs 100 less.

And 4670k/4770k/1230v3 are the newest CPUs, new cpu generation (haswell) and mobo socket (1150, z87/h87/etc.) were released this year.

 

I see no sense in putting hd7770 on 2600k rig... 2600k can run 2 titans without bottlenecking...

 

Opps i think i meant i3! Still new to intel processors anyway. Well yea...maybe i can run 2 titans but i don't really have the money for that....i could

barely afford the 7770 last month..and then i was fired. SO..yeah. I DO plan to upgrade, tho. Thanks for taking the time to correct me.

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