Does my computer suck?

[AnubisRaven]

For awhile, I've been thinking my system was pretty ok, but honestly, I'm not so sure. I have a slight suspicion that something isn't exactly up to spec here...

 

Current specs

 

Operating System

MS Windows 7 32-bit SP1

CPU

Intel Core i3 2100 @ 3.10GHz 38 °C

Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology

RAM

4.00 GB Single-Channel DDR3 @ 665MHz (9-9-9-24)

Motherboard

ASUSTeK Computer INC. P8H61-M LE/CSM (LGA1155) 86 °C

Graphics

ASUS VH242H (1920x1080@60Hz)

ASUS VH242H (1920x1080@60Hz)

AMD Radeon HD 6700 Series (XFX Pine Group) 40 °C

Hard Drives

488GB Seagate ST500DM002-1BC142 ATA Device (SATA) 34 °C

Optical Drives

ATAPI iHAS124 B ATA Device

Audio

Realtek High Definition Audio

 

 

Am I right in thinking I should probably upgrade or get a new system?

[RubikNight]

It's a little better then my business laptop but honestly I would upgrade it if you have the money and have had this kit for a while.

[Thandal]

How much work (re-installing programs) are you willing to do?

If you're up for it, go to a 64-bit OS (Win7 or Win8) and add 4GB of RAM.

Then (if you have more spare cash) upgrade the graphics card.

 

Otherwise, not bad at all!

 

My specs are in my profile except that the profile doesn't reflect that I'm running a triple-boot Win8/Win7/WinXP machine on three separate 1TB hard disks! :tongue:

[Vagrant0]

Your processor is probably what is currently your bottleneck unless you are using several high-RAM usage programs at once. The i3, even if it has comparable mhz really isn't designed for anything other than office applications due to the way it actually handles data. You can get around this limitation somewhat by pruning unnecessary processes before starting any gaming so that you have more free cycles, but your processor will probably still not play more demanding games (ones that aren't designed around console specs) particularly well.

 

I wouldn't bother switching to a 64 bit OS unless you plan on installing more RAM though. And at that point, you might even be better off just buying/building a new computer.

[AnubisRaven]

Your processor is probably what is currently your bottleneck unless you are using several high-RAM usage programs at once. The i3, even if it has comparable mhz really isn't designed for anything other than office applications due to the way it actually handles data. You can get around this limitation somewhat by pruning unnecessary processes before starting any gaming so that you have more free cycles, but your processor will probably still not play more demanding games (ones that aren't designed around console specs) particularly well.

 

I wouldn't bother switching to a 64 bit OS unless you plan on installing more RAM though. And at that point, you might even be better off just buying/building a new computer.

 

Can I upgrade my processor or something? It seems kind of silly that because one part isn't up to date, I have to scrap everything else and buy a new computer.

 

Honestly, everything's running pretty dandy. I can play Skyrim on tweaked high setting, with a ton of mods, I don't really have any stutter or graphics problems or anything with the games I'm playing.

 

Do I really need 8gb or RAM though? One of my more tech savvy friends told me that 4gb was usually enough, and anything past that was kind of irrelevant.

Edited January 23, 2013 by AnubisRaven

[Ihoe]

Can I upgrade my processor or something? It seems kind of silly that because one part isn't up to date, I have to scrap everything else and buy a new computer.

 

Honestly, everything's running pretty dandy. I can play Skyrim on tweaked high setting, with a ton of mods, I don't really have any stutter or graphics problems or anything with the games I'm playing.

 

Do I really need 8gb or RAM though? One of my more tech savvy friends told me that 4gb was usually enough, and anything past that was kind of irrelevant.

I wouldn't recommend upgrading anything at all. wait for the Next set of console and we might see a big worthwhile boost in the hardware market.

 

If you really feel like upgrading, Core i5-3470 is the best and most expensive you could get for a gaming PC. don't even with RAM unless you multitask, like crazy.

[AnubisRaven]

Can I upgrade my processor or something? It seems kind of silly that because one part isn't up to date, I have to scrap everything else and buy a new computer.

 

Honestly, everything's running pretty dandy. I can play Skyrim on tweaked high setting, with a ton of mods, I don't really have any stutter or graphics problems or anything with the games I'm playing.

 

Do I really need 8gb or RAM though? One of my more tech savvy friends told me that 4gb was usually enough, and anything past that was kind of irrelevant.

I wouldn't recommend upgrading anything at all. wait for the Next set of console and we might see a big worthwhile boost in the hardware market.

 

If you really feel like upgrading, Core i5-3470 is the best and most expensive you could get for a gaming PC. don't even with RAM unless you multitask, like crazy.

 

I don't. Thanks.

 

I'll upgrade probably when we get games I feel like upgrading for.

[2ndss29]

low end :rolleyes: the upgrade is necessary Edited January 26, 2013 by 2ndss29

[DarthFalcon]

I'd upgrade the processor and get windows 7 64-bit, get a nice quad-core cpu

[hoofhearted4]

I'd upgrade the processor and get windows 7 64-bit, get a nice quad-core cpu

wouldnt be worth the money. theres little difference in x64 and x32 bit in all honesty. if choosing from scratch, no reason to not get x64, but if you already have x32, there is no reason to upgrade.