Upgrade V.S. New build

[Criticafailgamer]

Hey everyone,

 

first time posting here so please forgive me if I'm at the wrong place. So I've had my PC going on I think 5 years and so far I have been satisfied with small upgrades (I replaced my drive to an ssd recently and a few years back upgraded my GPU). I do find recently that certain games are starting to be an issue, I don't really care about max graphics that's why I'm hesitant on rebuilding my entire rig but I would like to at least be able to run say Overwatch and get some solid frames going (not that I have anything terrible now to my standards I get 70 to 80 during big fights) but lets face it a soon as I hit the stream button I drop down to 30 to 40... Now I don't plan on being a streamer or anything like that but every once in a while with friends it would be nice... I'm basically wondering If with the rig I currently have Is there a way I can upgrade and still get something decent at a good price or at this point I have to bit the bullet and Start fresh.

 

I did build my PC 5 years ago myself But I haven't really kept up so I have no Idea what I'm doing anymore...

 

Current specs. (I don't know all the info you awesome people need so if I am missing anything let me know).

Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II x4 965 processor 3.4gigs
Ram: 6 gigs pc3 10666 Platinum series OCZ3P1333L V6GK 7-7-7@1.65V (3X 2 gig sticks)
Motherboard: ASUSTEK M4A785T-m socket AM3(938)
Graphics: GeForce GTX 750
SSD:Samsung 850 evo 250g
Power Supply: Antec Earthwatts 650w

 

I do understand eventually I will need a full upgrade but if I can push it back to a time I can better afford it that would be the ideal situation. (or even if I can upgrade and get decent performance but the pieces I use to upgrade I can also use on my rebuild rig in a year or so from now That would be even better.)

 

I know there are a few things like ram I could upgrade 6 gigs isn't much anymore lol but Basically I just don't know If the price to performance Is worth it and I know I might be asking alot to try and stretch the old tech I have another year or so but if I could afford a new build today I wouldn't be asking. any advice is appreciated.
I also live in Quebec Canada If that helps for costs.

 

Thank you very much in advance.

[Sreno1]

You should consider switching to Intel. I would recommend the i3-6100. Your ram is a bit low but maybe not worth upgrading just yet. The 750 will struggle with new games and you should look at getting a RX 470 or GTX 960.

[PRTI]

Save the SSD,GPU for first hand until you can afford something better,You could save the PSU but i would get a better one and use that Antec for first hand,a CPU,Ram,Mobo,Case (From what i can guess its a shitty case with no potential so i would upgrade it) is a must, get something like a i5 6400,8gb (1 stick instead of 2 for upgradeability),and a cheap B150 mobo and a new case

[m0k]

if youre using a stock cpu cooler, i would say upgrade the cpu cooler and overclock to 3.8-3.9ghz
i think the 945 chip can hit that without too much effort

 

[Criticafailgamer]

Thanks everyone for the replies... If I understand correctly my biggest issue is cpu speed? I like the idea of just bring a cpu cooler and overclocking so I can get better performance for now and do a full rebuild next year when I can afford it better but the the thing that scares me is I have no idea how to overclock (I've never tried in the past), Is this something I can do with research or am I better of not trying since I just don't know what I'm doing?


 

[m0k]

2 hours ago, Criticafailgamer said:

Thanks everyone for the replies... If I understand correctly my biggest issue is cpu speed? I like the idea of just bring a cpu cooler and overclocking so I can get better performance for now and do a full rebuild next year when I can afford it better but the the thing that scares me is I have no idea how to overclock (I've never tried in the past), Is this something I can do with research or am I better of not trying since I just don't know what I'm doing?


 

just looked up your motherboard
i take that back, i would not recommend overclocking on that motherboard
the CPU only takes a 4pin power connection which is only good for 65watts

considering your CPU is rated for 125watts im not sure how youre even able to run the CPU stable at all

[Criticafailgamer]

Well that's good to know I've had this for the past 5 years with no problems.... lol

 

 

So I guess I am SOL and should not bother trying to upgrade then....

[m0k]

1 minute ago, Criticafailgamer said:

Well that's good to know I've had this for the past 5 years with no problems.... lol

 

 

So I guess I am SOL and should not bother trying to upgrade then....

yea unfortunately 
for what its worth your pc is actually really well balanced,
just play at lower settings until you can afford a new platform upgrade

[Criticafailgamer]

thanks for the advice I really do appreciate it! 

[Karokiyu]

On 9/23/2016 at 5:42 PM, Criticafailgamer said:

Hey everyone,

 

first time posting here so please forgive me if I'm at the wrong place. So I've had my PC going on I think 5 years and so far I have been satisfied with small upgrades (I replaced my drive to an ssd recently and a few years back upgraded my GPU). I do find recently that certain games are starting to be an issue, I don't really care about max graphics that's why I'm hesitant on rebuilding my entire rig but I would like to at least be able to run say Overwatch and get some solid frames going (not that I have anything terrible now to my standards I get 70 to 80 during big fights) but lets face it a soon as I hit the stream button I drop down to 30 to 40... Now I don't plan on being a streamer or anything like that but every once in a while with friends it would be nice... I'm basically wondering If with the rig I currently have Is there a way I can upgrade and still get something decent at a good price or at this point I have to bit the bullet and Start fresh.

 

I did build my PC 5 years ago myself But I haven't really kept up so I have no Idea what I'm doing anymore...

 

Current specs. (I don't know all the info you awesome people need so if I am missing anything let me know).

Processor: AMD Phenom(tm) II x4 965 processor 3.4gigs
Ram: 6 gigs pc3 10666 Platinum series OCZ3P1333L V6GK 7-7-7@1.65V (3X 2 gig sticks)
Motherboard: ASUSTEK M4A785T-m socket AM3(938)
Graphics: GeForce GTX 750
SSD:Samsung 850 evo 250g
Power Supply: Antec Earthwatts 650w

 

I do understand eventually I will need a full upgrade but if I can push it back to a time I can better afford it that would be the ideal situation. (or even if I can upgrade and get decent performance but the pieces I use to upgrade I can also use on my rebuild rig in a year or so from now That would be even better.)

 

I know there are a few things like ram I could upgrade 6 gigs isn't much anymore lol but Basically I just don't know If the price to performance Is worth it and I know I might be asking alot to try and stretch the old tech I have another year or so but if I could afford a new build today I wouldn't be asking. any advice is appreciated.
I also live in Quebec Canada If that helps for costs.

 

Thank you very much in advance.

You could upgrade what you have....but I'd consider doing a new build.

 

Also, what resolution are you running games at?

 

What does your budget look like? I can help you pick out some new parts for a new build if you want.

[Brooksie359]

5 hours ago, Criticafailgamer said:

Well that's good to know I've had this for the past 5 years with no problems.... lol

 

 

So I guess I am SOL and should not bother trying to upgrade then....

I have a similar am3 motherboard with a cpu rated at 125W if you try to overclock it won't work trust me I've tried. Just wait for zen and hope it makes cpu prices go down then build a new pc.

[Criticafailgamer]

18 hours ago, Karokiyu said:

You could upgrade what you have....but I'd consider doing a new build.

 

Also, what resolution are you running games at?

 

What does your budget look like? I can help you pick out some new parts for a new build if you want.

I would love the help! I am in no incredible rush to rebuild today  but if the prices are right I would consider investing, I don't have a particular preference between AMD and Intel so thats not an issue. If I can save some of the parts I have for now and and get the essential and then upgrade the rest when I can afford it better (say I keep the ssd video card and power supply and case for now and change the rest that would be the best suggestion. I would love to hear what my options are. 

 

I do play games in 1080x 1920 usually and I would love to be in a position in  this build where I can play a game on say high on one screen and have music and facebook on in the other and say every once in a while I want to stream I have the options where it does not drop my frames to 30,,,

 

as for budget to be frank I don't really know how far my money can go anymore Its been so long I haven't built a PC... last time when i first put this current system together it cost me 900$ (that included buying windows and a screen). 

 

any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

 

[Criticafailgamer]

16 hours ago, Brooksie359 said:

I have a similar am3 motherboard with a cpu rated at 125W if you try to overclock it won't work trust me I've tried. Just wait for zen and hope it makes cpu prices go down then build a new pc.

multiple people have mentioned this zen cpu whats so special about it compared to whats out now? anyone know how much it will be?

[Brooksie359]

2 minutes ago, Criticafailgamer said:

multiple people have mentioned this zen cpu whats so special about it compared to whats out now? anyone know how much it will be?

based on benchmarks its going to be competitive with Intel where as amd's current cpus arent competitive. once amd can compete with intel cpus the prices of all cpus will likely go down. as to price nobody really knows until its released which is why its best to make a decision once it comes out. 

[Criticafailgamer]

Just now, Brooksie359 said:

based on benchmarks its going to be competitive with Intel where as amd's current cpus arent competitive. once amd can compete with intel cpus the prices of all cpus will likely go down. as to price nobody really knows until its released which is why its best to make a decision once it comes out. 

ok so basically I should wait a few months before building because chances are prices will overall go down.  thanks good to know!

[Brooksie359]

Just now, Criticafailgamer said:

ok so basically I should wait a few months before building because chances are prices will overall go down.  thanks good to know!

no problem.