New GPU vs. New System

[AxisHax66]

A friend just told me he wants to upgrade his PC, it currently has a Xeon L5420 + 4GB of RAM + HD 5670 1GB and he's wondering what would be better (for light gaming): Upgrading to a 1050 Ti? Or to a completely new system (Pentium G4560 + 8GB of RAM)? He can't do both right now.

[FrankV]

I'd expect a new system would be a better option given the other aspects of the system.... It does depend on which games are played though. 

 

Edit: In the case of a computer upgrade, would we be keeping the same video card? 

[AxisHax66]

Just now, FrankV said:

I'd expect a new system would be a better option given the other aspects of the system.... It does depend on which games are played though. 

He's desperate about improving his LoL experience (more FPS, less stuttering)...

[VerticalDiscussions]

A new system seems like a better idea. Altough, waiting for Ryzen 3 and saving a little more for a 1060 would be the best idea, but if he cant wait then i suppose its 1050 Ti all the way, if just for LoL at 1080-1440p.

[Sors]

The integrated video in the New CPU could be better than the video card your friend is using.

 

I found a few videos in youtube with people using the intel HD 610 graphics in that Pentium G4560 to play LOL and the movement seem pretty fluid.

 

 

[Zyndo]

5 minutes ago, AxisHax66 said:

He's desperate about improving his LoL experience (more FPS, less stuttering)...

If LoL specifically is the only game hes after, get a Kaby lake Pentium with a HD 630 iGPU (such as the G4560). Something like that can play LoL very well (as well as a large number of graphically less intensive games, even some AAA titles on Low settings).

then over the years, you can upgrade specific items as more money becomes available by simply dropping in upgrades as needed.

[Zyndo]

40 minutes ago, AxisHax66 said:

Snip

What would be the budget if hes doing a new system? we could try to make some build lists for you to see if its worth it.

[yathis]

Depends on what they are doing.

Are they using email and playing Solitaire, or are they video streaming and rendering, or playing Crysis and GTA at the same time.

[AxisHax66]

Just now, Zyndo said:

What would be the budget if hes doing a new system? we could try to make some build lists for you to see if its worth it.

Well, it's hard to say because we live in Argentina and prices may vary between our countries, but here's a list we just did:
Intel Pentium G4560
ASRock B150M-HDS (Kaby Lake BIOS)
Mushkin Redline 1x8GB 2666MHz
Everything's the cheapest we could find.

[AxisHax66]

2 minutes ago, yathis said:

Depends on what they are doing.

Just LoL.

[yathis]

Just now, AxisHax66 said:

Just LoL.

I got no clue if you are laughing out loud or is that a game?

[AxisHax66]

Just now, yathis said:

I got no clue if you are laughing out loud or is that a game?

League of Legends, boi...

[yathis]

1 minute ago, AxisHax66 said:

League of Legends, boi...

Not too much action in the game is there. Just need an average gpu then.

[AxisHax66]

Just now, yathis said:

Not too much action in the game is there. Just need an average gpu then.

What would be a better investment? "New GPU vs. New System", it's in the title... Also, his PC only has a 10 YO CPU paired with 4GB of RAM, I think a completely new PC with no dedicated GPU would be better for him...

[NinJake]

I'd say get the new PC. Save money and get a GPU in future as his taste in gaming hopefully improves

[AxisHax66]

Just now, NinJake said:

I'd say get the new PC. Save money and get a GPU in future as his taste in gaming hopefully improves

Okay, I've been telling him to try new AAA games, but he won't (apparently), hahahaha...

[Megah3rtz]

50 minutes ago, Zyndo said:

If LoL specifically is the only game hes after, get a Kaby lake Pentium with a HD 630 iGPU (such as the G4560). Something like that can play LoL very well (as well as a large number of graphically less intensive games, even some AAA titles on Low settings).

then over the years, you can upgrade specific items as more money becomes available by simply dropping in upgrades as needed.

Only the Pentium G4600 and G4620 have HD 630. The G4560 has HD 610, which isn't really an upgrade. 

 

1 hour ago, AxisHax66 said:

A friend just told me he wants to upgrade his PC, it currently has a Xeon L5420 + 4GB of RAM + HD 5670 1GB and he's wondering what would be better (for light gaming): Upgrading to a 1050 Ti? Or to a completely new system (Pentium G4560 + 8GB of RAM)? He can't do both right now.

G4600 + b250 + 8gb RAM, use the integrated graphics, and save for an RX 460/gtx 1050 ti. 

[yathis]

You have no use nor need for a new GPU

[Zyndo]

18 minutes ago, AxisHax66 said:

Well, it's hard to say because we live in Argentina and prices may vary between our countries, but here's a list we just did:
Intel Pentium G4560
ASRock B150M-HDS (Kaby Lake BIOS)
Mushkin Redline 1x8GB 2666MHz
Everything's the cheapest we could find.

I would recommend (if you could afford it)

get a pentium with a HD 630 in it. I thought the cheapest one of those was the 4560, but it turns out that one has a mere 610 in it. Not bad if you're 100% certain the only thing he'll ever play is LoL, but a couple bucks more for a 4600 (marginally faster CPU, but comes with the HD630 in it, which is a fair bit better) may be worth it investment.

 

I would also recommend a better motherboard. everything else is fairly easy and cheap to upgrade as you go, but once you start talking upgrading the motherboard then you start talking platform upgrades as well which can be very costly. if your chosen motherboard there has all the features you think you/your friend could want then its fine. but if some day you feel like having USB C, or surround sound, or NVMe drives, or anything like that.... you might be kicking yourself if its not already there.

 

 

 

all that being said, if that list there is all you can afford (or is otherwise all that is available to you), it should do a very good job of LoL gaming.

[AxisHax66]

Just now, Megah3rtz said:

G4600 + b250 + 8gb RAM, use the intergrated graphics, and save for an RX 460/gtx 1050 ti. 

The only Pentium available here is the G4560 and the B150 (7th Gen. BIOS) we found is almost half the price of the cheapest B250.

[Megah3rtz]

2 minutes ago, AxisHax66 said:

The only Pentium available here is the G4560 and the B150 (7th Gen. BIOS) we found is almost half the price of the cheapest B250.

How much does an RX 550 cost? (If available ) 

[AxisHax66]

1 minute ago, Megah3rtz said:

How much does an RX 550 cost? (If available ) 

$130, 4GB ver. His budget is around $220...

[Megah3rtz]

6 minutes ago, AxisHax66 said:

$130, 4GB ver. His budget is around $220...

Yeah, go for the Pentium G4560. 

 

You could try switching back between iGPU and the HD 5670 to see which performs better, but the CPU should make a bigger difference. 

[Ordinarily_Greater]

6 hours ago, AxisHax66 said:

A friend just told me he wants to upgrade his PC, it currently has a Xeon L5420 + 4GB of RAM + HD 5670 1GB and he's wondering what would be better (for light gaming): Upgrading to a 1050 Ti? Or to a completely new system (Pentium G4560 + 8GB of RAM)? He can't do both right now.

Wait what cores does that Xeon has? And go for the New system if he wants DDR4, if the current RAM is DDR2 that's a total upgrade

[AxisHax66]

15 hours ago, Ordinarily_Greater said:

Wait what cores does that Xeon has?

4-core 4-thread.