Upgrade Tips

[Cavan8000000]

   ((New to the forum, tried looking around and this seems like the best spot for something like this.)) Hi, I am wondering what I can do to upgrade my PC, it has done me well over the years but it's unfortunately been caught up with and is starting to wither away slowly. It's getting signs of age, slowing, though that really shouldn't be software. I clean the thing regularly, make sre it's free of viruses and other things, etc.

 

   I was just wondering what some upgrades for my current rig would be, I mainly use it for gaming. I will provide Benchmarks on a couple games I play on a day-to-day basis.

 

Hardware:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 2.83 GHz

8gB DDR2 667 MHz RAM

Intel DQ45CB Motherboard (I think.)

700W Non-Modular, PSU, don't  know the rails.

Asus Strix R9 380 Graphics Card

Dual 1440x900 Samsung SyncMaster 953BW monitors

Intel SSD SA2M160G2GC SATA, 150gB-OS Drive

OCZ-AGILITY3 SATA SSD 240 gB-Game Drive

WDC WD1002FAEX-00Y9A0 SATA HDD 1TB - Data Drive, this is my oldest drive.

 

Software:

Windows 10 Home

McAfee Total Protection

Malwarebytes Premium

On-Use Scanners, (hitmanpro, Kaspersky etc)

 

Game Specs:

World of Warcraft on Ultra Def, 1440x900 resolution: 35FPS

Mad Max, Highest Detail setting, 1440x900: 20-60 FPS, fluctuates depending on what happens in the scene

Runescape, Max Detail: 15-40 FPS it seems at times.

Diablo 3, Max Settings 40~ FPS

 

Typing is sometimes sluggish, as in, you type something and it takes about a minute for the whole thing to type out after you finish typing.

 

   If someone out there can lead me to some new hardware to keep an eye on, as well as some tips for a 'beginner PC builder' (I have done some modding of this PC, and 'worked' [Co-op terms in highschool] for a couple IT departments in the past, I would very much appreciate your help!

 

-Cavan

 

[Aytex]

Upgrade your cpu, your getting bottleneck

[VintageSalad]

4 minutes ago, Cavan8000000 said:

   ((New to the forum, tried looking around and this seems like the best spot for something like this.)) Hi, I am wondering what I can do to upgrade my PC, it has done me well over the years but it's unfortunately been caught up with and is starting to wither away slowly. It's getting signs of age, slowing, though that really shouldn't be software. I clean the thing regularly, make sre it's free of viruses and other things, etc.

 

   I was just wondering what some upgrades for my current rig would be, I mainly use it for gaming. I will provide Benchmarks on a couple games I play on a day-to-day basis.

 

Hardware:

Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 2.83 GHz

8gB DDR2 667 MHz RAM

Intel DQ45CB Motherboard (I think.)

700W Non-Modular, PSU, don't  know the rails.

Asus Strix R9 380 Graphics Card

Dual 1440x900 Samsung SyncMaster 953BW monitors

Intel SSD SA2M160G2GC SATA, 150gB-OS Drive

OCZ-AGILITY3 SATA SSD 240 gB-Game Drive

WDC WD1002FAEX-00Y9A0 SATA HDD 1TB - Data Drive, this is my oldest drive.

 

Software:

Windows 10 Home

McAfee Total Protection

Malwarebytes Premium

On-Use Scanners, (hitmanpro, Kaspersky etc)

 

Game Specs:

World of Warcraft on Ultra Def, 1440x900 resolution: 35FPS

Mad Max, Highest Detail setting, 1440x900: 20-60 FPS, fluctuates depending on what happens in the scene

Runescape, Max Detail: 15-40 FPS it seems at times.

Diablo 3, Max Settings 40~ FPS

 

Typing is sometimes sluggish, as in, you type something and it takes about a minute for the whole thing to type out after you finish typing.

 

   If someone out there can lead me to some new hardware to keep an eye on, as well as some tips for a 'beginner PC builder' (I have done some modding of this PC, and 'worked' [Co-op terms in highschool] for a couple IT departments in the past, I would very much appreciate your help!

 

-Cavan

 

What's your current budget?

[Mark77]

I suspect your "lagged typing" problem is more related to software, than hardware.  But yeah, sounds like you could benefit from an upgrade to an i5 or i7 Skylake.  That's 8-9 year old gear.  If you are leaving it on 24/7 power savings will be nice.

[tahmidkhan123]

That cpu is seriously holding you back. If your budget allows, go with an upgrade. An i5 is a good sweet spot (both current and last gen).

[Cavan8000000]

@VintageSaladAt the moment... About a grand, 1000 CAD, I'd like to keep my Graphics card and my PSU, they are new/decently new

[Cavan8000000]

6 minutes ago, Mark77 said:

I suspect your "lagged typing" problem is more related to software, than hardware.  But yeah, sounds like you could benefit from an upgrade to an i5 or i7 Skylake.  That's 8-9 year old gear.  If you are leaving it on 24/7 power savings will be nice.

I do not leave it on 24/7, I turn it off every night. I've heard good things about both keeping it on and turning it off.

[VintageSalad]

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/BpjThM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/BpjThM/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($308.50 @ shopRBC) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($39.25 @ Vuugo) 
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($207.25 @ Vuugo) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($46.65 @ DirectCanada) 
Total: $601.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-19 21:28 EDT-0400

 

Future proof. USB 3.1 and all

[Cavan8000000]

6 minutes ago, VintageSalad said:

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/BpjThM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/BpjThM/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-6600K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($308.50 @ shopRBC) 
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($39.25 @ Vuugo) 
Motherboard: Asus Z170-A ATX LGA1151 Motherboard  ($207.25 @ Vuugo) 
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory  ($46.65 @ DirectCanada) 
Total: $601.65
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-04-19 21:28 EDT-0400

 

Future proof. USB 3.1 and all

Thank you! This PC as I've said is old, it's kept me going for a long time. Surprisingly enough, it's kept me going on the stock intel CPU fan     -_-... And one case fan, how in the hell has this thing not completely died on me yet... Anyways, bookmarked, and I'll be buying these when next I can!

[vanished]

Yup, 2 comments above hit on it: You would seriously benefit from a new CPU, but that lag typing is almost certainly the fault of software.  Reinstalling windows should fix it since, although that CPU is old, it should still be more than enough for general use like typing.

 

Oh yeah, and that's probably too many AVs.

Edited April 20, 2016 by Ryan_Vickers

[Cavan8000000]

7 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

Yup, 2 comments above hit on it: You would seriously benefit from a new CPU, but that lag typing is almost certainly the fault of software.  Reinstalling windows should fix it since, although that CPU is old, it should still be more than enough for general use like typing.

 

Oh yeah, and that's probably too many AVs.

I have a feeling it's the fault of the drivers for my keyboard themself. This keyboard was designed for up to Windows Vista, getting it to work on windows 7 before was a pain but since the upgrade to 10, it's become sluggish, the software isn't meant for this version of windows and I can't really do anything about it at this point, I'm so accustomed to the gameplay with my gamepad.

 

FYI, it's a Steelseries Merc Stealth.

Mouse is a Razer Naga Epic.

 

Also, Kaspersky and Hitmanpro are only on-use scanenrs on a Flash drive, not Real Time, only McAfee and MBAM are used for Real-Time.

[vanished]

Just now, Cavan8000000 said:

I have a feeling it's the fault of the drivers for my keyboard themself. This keyboard was designed for up to Windows Vista, getting it to work on windows 7 before was a pain but since the upgrade to 10, it's become sluggish, the software isn't meant for this version of windows and I can't really do anything about it at this point, I'm so accustomed to the gameplay with my gamepad.

 

FYI, it's a Steelseries Merc Stealth.

Mouse is a Razer Naga Epic.

 

Also, Kaspersky and Hitmanpro are only on-use scanenrs on a Flash drive, not Real Time, only McAfee and MBAM are used for Real-Time.

You should only have at most one full-time, real-time scanner.  Supplement with as many "on demand" scanners as you need though I guess

 

And a keyboard should work with any operating system - it's a very generic USB device.  Perhaps additional software installed to get additional features out of it or something like that is causing issues?

[Cavan8000000]

5 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

You should only have at most one full-time, real-time scanner.  Supplement with as many "on demand" scanners as you need though I guess

 

And a keyboard should work with any operating system - it's a very generic USB device.  Perhaps additional software installed to get additional features out of it or something like that is causing issues?

The software with it is used to activate the keyboard itself, it will not work without the drivers and those very specific ones, the SteelSeries Engine for the keyboard itself and the ZEngine for the Gamepad/Programming the keys

 

[vanished]

2 minutes ago, Cavan8000000 said:

The software with it is used to activate the keyboard itself, it will not work without the drivers and those very specific ones, the SteelSeries Engine for the keyboard itself and the ZEngine for the Gamepad/Programming the keys

 

oh, that sucks.  that seems like a really stupid design imo... do you have the budget for a new keyboard?  Honestly that "functionality" (or lack there of) would drive me crazy.  Not sure how you're feeling about it

[Cavan8000000]

6 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

oh, that sucks.  that seems like a really stupid design imo... do you have the budget for a new keyboard?  Honestly that "functionality" (or lack there of) would drive me crazy.  Not sure how you're feeling about it

I have other keyboards to use, they don't have the gamepad on the side of it though with my wasdqe and 1234567890--= all within a few inches for quick access with other keys put about for easy keybinding. That's the reason I keep it, is for that fact alone, other than that it seems they keyboard is just a pain.

[vanished]

1 minute ago, Cavan8000000 said:

I have other keyboards to use, they don't have the gamepad on the side of it though with my wasdqe and 1234567890--= all within a few inches for quick access with other keys put about for easy keybinding. That's the reason I keep it, is for that fact alone, other than that it seems they keyboard is just a pain.

Does gaming at least work on it?  I mean, if typing has like a multi second lag, I can't imagine any games would be even close to playable... 

[Cavan8000000]

6 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

Does gaming at least work on it?  I mean, if typing has like a multi second lag, I can't imagine any games would be even close to playable... 

Yes it does work, I thought I mentioned this but it's only at times that I have a multi-second delay and for the life of me I cannot figure out what causes it, nothing in Task manager taking up a lot of resources, again, it could just be my stuff is old and I need an upgrade as it's like "OH GOD GET ME OUTTA HERE NOW!"