Upgrade or new computer?

[xmacrosx]

Come the beginning of the year I either want to upgrade my existing computer or buy a whole new rig. I'm looking for the cheapest route possible to be able to play Skyrim and other games with graphic settings at the max (with ENB's and HD etc...). I can run Skyrim on high with 150+ mods no problem as long as theres not to many HD mods in my lineup with a good framerate, but my current comp is aging and I'm not as computer literate as I once was.

 

See the attachments. I'm running 32bit and I know I really need to upgrade my system to 64bit which I think my hardware it compatable. I'm not sure how good my motherboard, graphics card and processor are compared to whats out now. I don't like to overclock either. With the information I provided would it be cheaper to upgrade what I currently have and if so what do I need to upgrade or would it be cheaper to buy a new rig? I've never built my own and don't know if I'm capable so I would have to buy one from whatever company.

 

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!

[zyg0tic]

Get a retail copy of 64bit Windows 7, a GTX 670 or 680 (or AMD eqivalent if you prefer) and 8GB RAM and you'll be fine probably.

 

DDR2 RAM can be hard to find in retail shops now so if you have trouble finding/buying it you're best asking in the trading section of enthusiast PC forums.

 

Win 64-bit and the graphics card will both be transferrable to a new rig if you decide to upgrade the CPU and motherboard in the future.

 

The problem with Skyrim is that even with a great rig, performance is very finnicky and requires ini editing and patience in that process. Skyrim CFG Maker and Skyrim Configurator will help to get you up and running.

 

Some graphics issues like mountain flickering can only be minimised, and fixes can introduce micro stutter. You will still get pop-in, and Whiterun will still look sucky at distance for the most part. I have an i7 OCd to 3.5ghz and a GTX 680, and still the game is troublesome.

 

A SSD drive also helps.. I have Skyrim installed on a Samsung 840 Pro and still get loading stutter. Mods also effect that.

[xmacrosx]

Get a retail copy of 64bit Windows 7, a GTX 670 or 680 (or AMD eqivalent if you prefer) and 8GB RAM and you'll be fine probably.

 

DDR2 RAM can be hard to find in retail shops now so if you have trouble finding/buying it you're best asking in the trading section of enthusiast PC forums.

 

Win 64-bit and the graphics card will both be transferrable to a new rig if you decide to upgrade the CPU and motherboard in the future.

 

The problem with Skyrim is that even with a great rig, performance is very finnicky and requires ini editing and patience in that process. Skyrim CFG Maker and Skyrim Configurator will help to get you up and running.

 

Some graphics issues like mountain flickering can only be minimised, and fixes can introduce micro stutter. You will still get pop-in, and Whiterun will still look sucky at distance for the most part. I have an i7 OCd to 3.5ghz and a GTX 680, and still the game is troublesome.

 

A SSD drive also helps.. I have Skyrim installed on a Samsung 840 Pro and still get loading stutter. Mods also effect that.

 

I was curious about solid states drives and if they're worth getting. I currently have my primary 250gb 7200 rpm sata hard drive and a secondary 1tb 7200 rpm sata. From what I've posted is my motherboard good enough to handle newer video cards, 64bit operating system, etc? Is my processor good enough or would something newer be beneficial?

[CannabisKing]

Getting a new mobo and CPU would be so beneficial, 775 is really outdated. An ssd is pretty nice for boot times and some load times, but not really necessary. You really just need a new graphics card and CPU to play on ultra with some sexy texture mods.

[bigv32]

You are asking for the cheapest route, but that honestly depends. From what I can see of your motherboard, I can't tell what kind it actually is. It says alienware, but that just means they bought it from someone else. As for CPU upgrade, you are looking for a CPU socket 775 LGA. You are running at about 2.83 GHz. While thats not bad, you would actually see a massive improvement in frame rates with just that upgrade alone with your current mod list (before someone jumps on me, I would like to point out I said with his current mod list which does not include HD mods). Skyrim on vanilla settings can actually become CPU limited quicker that GPU limited.

 

As for your GPU, if you want HD mods, than obviously this is a must. If you upgrade, make sure your motherboard has the correct/compatible PCI slot (most likely you would need PCI 2.0 (3.0 for the newest cards)). However, if you upgrade your GPU, you will become CPU limited with your current CPU lol.

 

As for the RAM picture you showed us, the only thing I would point out is that Skyrim has been patched (or so they say lol) to use more RAM, so going to 8GB couldn't hurt. Some notes on this. If you are on a tight budget and upgrading, I would make RAM the last thing I looked for. Also, whenever you buy RAM, you should make sure it will work with your CPU/MOBO combo.

 

As for the ssd, it should be the last upgrade on your list honestly. Fast load times are great exspecially when you have HD mods, but you will not see the same bang for buck as you would with the CPU or GPU.

 

If you gave us a max budget you were willing to spend on either upgrades and/or building a new machine, it would be a little easier to help you out.

[xmacrosx]

You are asking for the cheapest route, but that honestly depends. From what I can see of your motherboard, I can't tell what kind it actually is. It says alienware, but that just means they bought it from someone else. As for CPU upgrade, you are looking for a CPU socket 775 LGA. You are running at about 2.83 GHz. While thats not bad, you would actually see a massive improvement in frame rates with just that upgrade alone with your current mod list (before someone jumps on me, I would like to point out I said with his current mod list which does not include HD mods). Skyrim on vanilla settings can actually become CPU limited quicker that GPU limited.

 

As for your GPU, if you want HD mods, than obviously this is a must. If you upgrade, make sure your motherboard has the correct/compatible PCI slot (most likely you would need PCI 2.0 (3.0 for the newest cards)). However, if you upgrade your GPU, you will become CPU limited with your current CPU lol.

 

As for the RAM picture you showed us, the only thing I would point out is that Skyrim has been patched (or so they say lol) to use more RAM, so going to 8GB couldn't hurt. Some notes on this. If you are on a tight budget and upgrading, I would make RAM the last thing I looked for. Also, whenever you buy RAM, you should make sure it will work with your CPU/MOBO combo.

 

As for the ssd, it should be the last upgrade on your list honestly. Fast load times are great exspecially when you have HD mods, but you will not see the same bang for buck as you would with the CPU or GPU.

 

If you gave us a max budget you were willing to spend on either upgrades and/or building a new machine, it would be a little easier to help you out.

 

 

I'd say $1500 or less

[Elysarian]

You are asking for the cheapest route, but that honestly depends. From what I can see of your motherboard, I can't tell what kind it actually is. It says alienware, but that just means they bought it from someone else. As for CPU upgrade, you are looking for a CPU socket 775 LGA. You are running at about 2.83 GHz. While thats not bad, you would actually see a massive improvement in frame rates with just that upgrade alone with your current mod list (before someone jumps on me, I would like to point out I said with his current mod list which does not include HD mods). Skyrim on vanilla settings can actually become CPU limited quicker that GPU limited.

 

As for your GPU, if you want HD mods, than obviously this is a must. If you upgrade, make sure your motherboard has the correct/compatible PCI slot (most likely you would need PCI 2.0 (3.0 for the newest cards)). However, if you upgrade your GPU, you will become CPU limited with your current CPU lol.

 

As for the RAM picture you showed us, the only thing I would point out is that Skyrim has been patched (or so they say lol) to use more RAM, so going to 8GB couldn't hurt. Some notes on this. If you are on a tight budget and upgrading, I would make RAM the last thing I looked for. Also, whenever you buy RAM, you should make sure it will work with your CPU/MOBO combo.

 

As for the ssd, it should be the last upgrade on your list honestly. Fast load times are great exspecially when you have HD mods, but you will not see the same bang for buck as you would with the CPU or GPU.

 

If you gave us a max budget you were willing to spend on either upgrades and/or building a new machine, it would be a little easier to help you out.

 

 

I'd say $1500 or less

 

I have to work in UK prices but the conversion is usually straight for computer equipment (i.e. £1 == $1 US)

 

The other posters who've pointed out that your upgrade options are limited are completely correct - the 775 board you have in there is pretty much maxed out with a C2Q in it (and is obsolete as far as Intel are concerned).

 

The above is not to say that an upgrade is out of the question though - you could easily keep your existing case, RAM, PSU and HDD (plus any other bits that aren't soldered onto the motherboard!), just upgrading the RAM, CPU, Mobo and OS to something more current.

 

There are two options I would consider:

 

a recent (i.e. Ivy Bridge Socket 1155) Intel Core i5 processor with an SLI/crossfire capable motherboard (options there for future upgrade to Core i7 and dual gfx cards should the need arise) + additional RAM (can't see how your RAM is configured in your current system so you may have to replace the lot if it's in 1GB sticks)

AMD FX processor (opinion is divided on these, they tend to be a little behind the Intels in pure performace but can save a little money) with an equivalent SLI/crossfire motherboard + RAM as for the Intel

 

I personally went for the second option and will be upgrading my gfx from my current GTX460 later this year, got the added bonus of SATA3 and USB3 ports on the new board for any future upgrades.

 

The operating system "upgrade" (you will have to do a clean install!) - some retailers will sell you an OEM (cheaper) version of windows as long as you order it at the same time as your hardware - you may even still be able to get Win7 from some too.

 

Beyond this my only advice would be on gfx cards: if you go nVidia avoid anything that has a second digit lower than a 6 for gaming! (example: GTX640 is worse than a GTX560 despite being a newer card)

 

Can't advise you on AMD/ATI gfx as I fell out with those years ago! (they may have improved since but once bitten, twice shy when it comes to crap drivers and poor AA performance)

 

EDIT: As for building it yourself - not that hard really... the only tool you need is a crosshead screwdriver, it's not physically possible to plug anything in the wrong way around or in the wrong hole nowadays and itwill be cheaper than a complete new rig :)

Edited January 21, 2013 by Elysarian

[xmacrosx]

You are asking for the cheapest route, but that honestly depends. From what I can see of your motherboard, I can't tell what kind it actually is. It says alienware, but that just means they bought it from someone else. As for CPU upgrade, you are looking for a CPU socket 775 LGA. You are running at about 2.83 GHz. While thats not bad, you would actually see a massive improvement in frame rates with just that upgrade alone with your current mod list (before someone jumps on me, I would like to point out I said with his current mod list which does not include HD mods). Skyrim on vanilla settings can actually become CPU limited quicker that GPU limited.

 

As for your GPU, if you want HD mods, than obviously this is a must. If you upgrade, make sure your motherboard has the correct/compatible PCI slot (most likely you would need PCI 2.0 (3.0 for the newest cards)). However, if you upgrade your GPU, you will become CPU limited with your current CPU lol.

 

As for the RAM picture you showed us, the only thing I would point out is that Skyrim has been patched (or so they say lol) to use more RAM, so going to 8GB couldn't hurt. Some notes on this. If you are on a tight budget and upgrading, I would make RAM the last thing I looked for. Also, whenever you buy RAM, you should make sure it will work with your CPU/MOBO combo.

 

As for the ssd, it should be the last upgrade on your list honestly. Fast load times are great exspecially when you have HD mods, but you will not see the same bang for buck as you would with the CPU or GPU.

 

If you gave us a max budget you were willing to spend on either upgrades and/or building a new machine, it would be a little easier to help you out.

 

 

I'd say $1500 or less

 

I have to work in UK prices but the conversion is usually straight for computer equipment (i.e. £1 == $1 US)

 

The other posters who've pointed out that your upgrade options are limited are completely correct - the 775 board you have in there is pretty much maxed out with a C2Q in it (and is obsolete as far as Intel are concerned).

 

The above is not to say that an upgrade is out of the question though - you could easily keep your existing case, RAM, PSU and HDD (plus any other bits that aren't soldered onto the motherboard!), just upgrading the RAM, CPU, Mobo and OS to something more current.

 

There are two options I would consider:

 

a recent (i.e. Ivy Bridge Socket 1155) Intel Core i5 processor with an SLI/crossfire capable motherboard (options there for future upgrade to Core i7 and dual gfx cards should the need arise) + additional RAM (can't see how your RAM is configured in your current system so you may have to replace the lot if it's in 1GB sticks)

AMD FX processor (opinion is divided on these, they tend to be a little behind the Intels in pure performace but can save a little money) with an equivalent SLI/crossfire motherboard + RAM as for the Intel

 

I personally went for the second option and will be upgrading my gfx from my current GTX460 later this year, got the added bonus of SATA3 and USB3 ports on the new board for any future upgrades.

 

The operating system "upgrade" (you will have to do a clean install!) - some retailers will sell you an OEM (cheaper) version of windows as long as you order it at the same time as your hardware - you may even still be able to get Win7 from some too.

 

Beyond this my only advice would be on gfx cards: if you go nVidia avoid anything that has a second digit lower than a 6 for gaming! (example: GTX640 is worse than a GTX560 despite being a newer card)

 

Can't advise you on AMD/ATI gfx as I fell out with those years ago! (they may have improved since but once bitten, twice shy when it comes to crap drivers and poor AA performance)

 

EDIT: As for building it yourself - not that hard really... the only tool you need is a crosshead screwdriver, it's not physically possible to plug anything in the wrong way around or in the wrong hole nowadays and itwill be cheaper than a complete new rig :)

 

 

Wow, thatnks for the in depth response. I think I'll gut what I have and do what you said and replace...mobo, graphics card, more ram, operating system, cpu....im guessing newegg is the best place to start. just gotta research to make sure all the parts i want will play nice together. I made a big mistake almost a decade ago and bought the best of everything and I ended up with hardware that didnt play nicve together!