Is CPU too old to bother with GPU upgrade?

[varrys]

My brother's system is ancient. I sent him my former mobo/CPU/RAM/hard drive nine months ago, but because he's a bit more reluctant in new PC assembly -- and also has two kids under 4 -- he hasn't yet tried to swap out his PC core for the upgrade I sent him. Now I'm considering other ways to help him get upgraded. The first option is simply upgrading his GPU from his GTX 650 1GB. However, his CPU is, I believe, a AMD Phenom II X4 945. I know, it's ancient.

 

The question for this forum: If I got him a low-end but much newer GPU like a 1050 or the like, would it help his gaming at 1080p? Or is he likely more CPU locked than anything for modern games?

[Herman Mcpootis]

you can just give it to him and prepare for a cpu upgrade next time, the 945 isn't that bad.

[IPD]

I'd guess there's a real possibility he'd be CPU locked.  And you can get better iGPU graphics with a current gen CPU than with his existing setup.  So my $.02 is to just get a new mobo/cpu/ram--and then upgrade the GPU later.  It can't possibly be worse than what he's got now.

[varrys]

4 minutes ago, IPD said:

I'd guess there's a real possibility he'd be CPU locked.  And you can get better iGPU graphics with a current gen CPU than with his existing setup.  So my $.02 is to just get a new mobo/cpu/ram--and then upgrade the GPU later.  It can't possibly be worse than what he's got now.

That was one of my ideas, to get a 5600G computer that would likely give him better gaming than his old GTX 650. But not many prebuilt PCs out with that yet. I see (seemingly paid) articles pushing an entire line of HP machines, but I'm reluctant to do the proprietary brand stuff.

 

I'd be looking at a full prebuilt shipped to him because, as I said, I already sent him a mobo/CPU/RAM core, and he won't bother installing it...

[varrys]

8 minutes ago, Herman Mcpootis said:

you can just give it to him and prepare for a cpu upgrade next time, the 945 isn't that bad.

I worry that the Phenom will hold him back though. It's not a great source, I know, but the UserBenchmark shows the Phenom as the 594th CPU... Even a basic (refurbished) prebuilt from NZXT has a 9100F that is ranked 150th, plus it comes with the whole PC ready to go. If I drop a few hundred on just a GPU, and he ends up CPU bottlenecked, then I'll likely have to buy a new entire PC for him anyway because he doesn't tinker himself and lives 1,200 miles away from me so i can't build for him.

 

So is dropping maybe $250 on just a GPU worth it, or best to save for a $800-950 entirely built PC that has a GPU included?

[IPD]

You know, at a certain point....a person has to be willing to help themselves.  You can lead a horse to water and all that.....

[varrys]

Just now, IPD said:

You know, at a certain point....a person has to be willing to help themselves.  You can lead a horse to water and all that.....

You're right to a degree. But some people are uncomfortable doing PC work, and as I said, two young kids take up his time. I'm looking into my options for helping him before I tell him to shove off.  Constructive comments are appreciated.

[Dedayog]

2 kids under 4, so he knows how to fit things into things.  Building a PC isn't any more difficult.

 

I assume you offered to walk him thru it over the phone.  Maybe instead of spending money on a GPU for him that he may not insert, fly over there and help him upgrade in person.  Would be good to see your niece/nephew and the PC would get upgraded and some bonding.

 

And yeah, his CPU is too old to throw money around IMO.

 

2 minutes ago, varrys said:

You're right to a degree. But some people are uncomfortable doing PC work, and as I said, two young kids take up his time. I'm looking into my options for helping him before I tell him to shove off.  Constructive comments are appreciated.

As a parent myself, I have to counter your "constructive comments" comment with "realistic excuses only" please

 

2 kids... they go to sleep do they not?  Grandparents babysit?  

 

Life doesn't shut down when you have kids, infact it gets more robust.  I would wager he needs to build them a PC soon even, so he best start learning

 

 

[varrys]

Just now, Dedayog said:

2 kids under 4, so he knows how to fit things into things.  Building a PC isn't any more difficult.

 

I assume you offered to walk him thru it over the phone.  Maybe instead of spending money on a GPU for him that he may not insert, fly over there and help him upgrade in person.  Would be good to see your niece/nephew and the PC would get upgraded and some bonding.

 

And yeah, his CPU is too old to throw money around IMO.

A flight up may be an option. And I guess if I plan that anytime soon, then a basic GPU for $200-250 is okay to pair with the i5-4690 I sent him. Of course, with cost of round-trip plane ticket, it'll come to about the same as the NZXT systems. The bonus for me is that I get to see the family.

 

For the record, I feel he would do a GPU swap. He just doesn't feel comfortable gutting the entire core (mobo/CPU/RAM).

[Elijah Kamski]

Maybe a Ryzen APU?

 

Both a GPU and CPU upgrade

 

And then you can upgrade the GPU later on by putting a discreet GPU in.

[varrys]

3 hours ago, Elijah Kamski said:

Maybe a Ryzen APU?

 

Both a GPU and CPU upgrade

 

And then you can upgrade the GPU later on by putting a discreet GPU in.

That's one path for sure. Probably a 5600g, but so far I'm seeing only HP prebuilds with them, and don't have good history with HP. See how things shake out in another month and what my options are.