Advice for upgrading PC

[WinterandStars]

Hey there!

 

I've been unsure about where to post this, but I guess this is the correct place.

 

Recently I've started to get fed up with the low fps I get when playing my heavily modded Skyrim with ENB. My PC may be okay, but it's just not made for gaming, especially with such demanding mods and ENBs I play Skyrim with. So - and yes, you may laugh now - here are my current specs:

 

Foxconn 2ADA mainboard

6GB memory (1x2GB, 1x4GB)

Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor

MSI NVIDIA Geforce GT 630 2GB

 

(I hope I didn't forget anything?)

So as you might figure, I'm really new to building PCs, especially since this one was pre-built. I mainly want to get a new graphics card, since my current one is just ridiculous.

 

My main problem is, though, that I currently don't have that much money to spare. So while I would love to build a beast rig, I just cannot afford it. I currently think on spending up to 230€ (~316$) for my graphics card, since I most likely also will have to buy a new power supply, and probably a new case.

 

First and foremost, I want my PC to be decent for a heavily modded Skyrim, but I also play other TES games, as well as sometimes fps and action adventures such as Castlevania.

 

Thanks for taking time to help a complete newbie.

 

[Rennn]

Your RAM is fine, your CPU is fine, your motherbord is meh but it'll do well enough.

 

I'm going to make two plans. First is assuming you want to spend $300 on everything, second is assuming you want to spend $300 just on the video card.

 

First plan: $340

This video card will run vanilla Skyrim on ultra at 50-60 fps at 1080p. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826

This PSU will be enough for a mid-range card. I wouldn't try to put a GTX 770 SC on it or anything though. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817438014

This case is plain but highly reliable and has enough space. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

 

Second plan: $510

This'll run Skyrim on ultra at 60 fps, should handle ENB well enough. It's probably 25% stronger than the cheaper card, and it will handle HD textures much better. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130949

This PSU is a slight bump up, just to be safe. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

This case is excellent, and offers a lot of room for upgrades later. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139010

 

 

Ofc, you could mix and match any parts from those two plans. But I don't necessarily recommend using the weaker power supply with the stronger video card. I mean, it'd probably work... But you don't really want to take undue risks with the PSU.

 

As far as cases are concerned, you're really just looking for a mid tower with ATX support rather than micro ATX, to ensure you have enough space for a good PSU and video card.

Edited February 19, 2014 by Rennn

[Werne]

.........low fps I get when playing my heavily modded Skyrim with ENB......... MSI NVIDIA Geforce GT 630 2GB.........

I'm surprised it even runs.

 

Seeing as how it's a pre-built, yeah, you'll need a new PSU. Case is less important, if the card fits and can have enough air so it doesn't overheat it's all good, but if there's not enough room you'll need a new case.

 

Assuming you'll spend $320 in total on everything, here's my suggestion on that...

 

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $60 - plenty of airflow and a decent amount of space for future upgrades

PSU: XFX Core Edition 550 Pro, full wired - $61 - quality SeaSonic-made unit, offers plenty of upgrade room (won't run CF/SLI but will power any single-card configuration, and you can't even have CF/SLI on that crap of a mobo).

Graphics card: ASUS GTX 660 - $220 - The EVGA superclocked Rennn mentioned is 3% faster while using a reference cooling solution (reference cooling sucks), ASUS GTX 660 is one of the best 660s around for the price point, runs cool and quiet and overclocks great to boot.

 

In case you want to spend $320 on the card alone, there's only one candidate in that price range - Gigabyte Windforce GTX 760, you're $20-25 short of the 770 ($340), has same clocks as that EVGA Rennn mentioned but runs cooler and can overclock better cause of that.

 

Has 4GB VRAM, people seem to worship VRAM for some reason, the 2GB model will perform the same for $40 less cause 760 is too slow to utilize 4GB VRAM. That amount of memory on a 760 is only useful for GPGPU workloads and multi-monitor setups (3 and up, on which 760 can't run games well anyway).

[Rennn]

 

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $60 - plenty of airflow and a decent amount of space for future upgrades

PSU: XFX Core Edition 550 Pro, full wired - $61 - quality SeaSonic-made unit, offers plenty of upgrade room (won't run CF/SLI but will power any single-card configuration, and you can't even have CF/SLI on that crap of a mobo).

Graphics card: ASUS GTX 660 - $220 - The EVGA superclocked Rennn mentioned is 3% faster while using a reference cooling solution (reference cooling sucks), ASUS GTX 660 is one of the best 660s around for the price point, runs cool and quiet and overclocks great to boot.

 

In case you want to spend $320 on the card alone, there's only one candidate in that price range - Gigabyte Windforce GTX 760, you're $20-25 short of the 770 ($340), has same clocks as that EVGA Rennn mentioned but runs cooler and can overclock better cause of that.

 

Has 4GB VRAM, people seem to worship VRAM for some reason, the 2GB model will perform the same for $40 less cause 760 is too slow to utilize 4GB VRAM. That amount of memory on a 760 is only useful for GPGPU workloads and multi-monitor setups (3 and up, on which 760 can't run games well anyway).

 

 

All excellent suggestions, as well.

 

Buy yeah, 4GB of VRAM is nearly useless. I only recommended that because *technically* Skyrim can use 3GB of RAM, meaning 3GB is also mirrored into VRAM on DX9. People claim to get performance returns from above 2GB on a 760 when they use ridiculous amounts of HD textures in Skyrim. Not sure if it's true, but that was also one of the only overclocked 760s I could find so I suggested it. The 760 you recommended would almost certainly perform better.

[WinterandStars]

 

I'm surprised it even runs.

 

Uhm, well, barely, but it runs!

 

 

But thanks a lot, both of you, this really helped me a lot.

So I guess I've decided on the GTX 760 2GB (still unsure about whether to choose Gigabyte or EVGA, tending towards the Gigabyte Windforce one though) and that XFX Core Edition PSU.

 

The thing is, I want to order all of that stuff from an online shop based in the country I live in, and I couldn't find any of those cases you recommended there. Any recommendations on how to decide which one I should take?

 

I don't think that's gonna help you at all, but my current case is pretty small:

• Height: 36.8cm (14.4")
• Width: 16.5cm (6.4")
• Depth: 38.9cm (15.3")

[Rennn]

 

 

I'm surprised it even runs.

 

Uhm, well, barely, but it runs!

 

 

But thanks a lot, both of you, this really helped me a lot.

So I guess I've decided on the GTX 760 2GB (still unsure about whether to choose Gigabyte or EVGA, tending towards the Gigabyte Windforce one though) and that XFX Core Edition PSU.

 

The thing is, I want to order all of that stuff from an online shop based in the country I live in, and I couldn't find any of those cases you recommended there. Any recommendations on how to decide which one I should take?

 

I don't think that's gonna help you at all, but my current case is pretty small:

• Height: 36.8cm (14.4")
• Width: 16.5cm (6.4")
• Depth: 38.9cm (15.3")

 

 

Gigabyte is generally the better choice for cooling, they're well known for that. Since the performance difference is so small, you'd therefore be better off going for the Gigabyte version that Werne suggested.

 

Yeah, you'll almost certainly need a new case at that size. Chances are your video card wouldn't fit. Do you have a link to the online shop you're using?

Edited February 20, 2014 by Rennn

[WinterandStars]

Alright. The difference regarding the price is also only very small, so I guess the Gigabyte will be a fine choice.

 

Here it is. It's a German shop though, but I guess navigating won't be too hard for you.

(now I hope I didn't just overlook those cases you suggested...)

[Rennn]

Okay, well, assuming midi means mid, and that ohne NT means no PSU... :3

And assuming that 10mm=1cm, and that 1 inch=2.54cm...

 

It's not really a complex task to get a case. Some are nicer than others, or ship with quieter fans or USB 3.0, but generally as long as everything fits without having to bend it you're all set.

Any of these would be good options, depending on what kind of aesthetic you want to go for and how much you want to spend. Since they support ATX motherboards, you should also be able to get a full size motherboard eventually instead of the small one you have, if you want to at some point.

http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/CoolerMaster-N400-mit-Sichtfenster-Midi-Tower-ohne-Netzteil-schwarz_916999.html

http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/Raidmax-Super-Aeolus-mit-Sichtfenster-Midi-Tower-ohne-Netzteil-schwarz_936358.html (might need to add an additional fan if you notice it running hot)

http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/CoolerMaster-K380-mit-Sichtfenster-Midi-Tower-ohne-Netzteil-schwarz_822211.html (might need to add an additional fan if you notice it running hot)

http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/NZXT-Lexa-S-Midi-Tower-ohne-Netzteil-schwarz_619661.html

http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/Antec-Three-Hundred-Midi-Tower-ohne-Netzteil-schwarz_427619.html

http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/Zalman-Z9-Plus-Midi-Tower-ohne-Netzteil-schwarz_688989.html

 

If you plan to look for a different case, make sure it supports ATX motherboards (it'll make upgrading later much easier for several reasons), has a width of at least 190mm, and is listed as a mid-tower with no PSU. USB 3.0 support is ideal, but by no means required.

Edited February 21, 2014 by Rennn

[WinterandStars]

Wow, I wish you could give people more kudos, because you most definitely deserve them...

 

Thanks a lot, you really helped me! If I have any more questions, I'll just post it here, but so far I think I can pretty much start actually buying all the new components.

[Rennn]

In case it wasn't clear, btw, the 2GB 760 will be a better option for cost/performance ratio than the 4GB version.