Which Parts Should I replace on my Gaming PC?

Question

I don't have alot to bulid a new gaming PC. so i thought i should change my specs.

my spec

Processor: Inter(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40 GHz
RAM: 4.00 GB (3.00 GB available)
System Type: 32-bit Operating System, x64-based processor
Graphic Card: NVIDA GeForce GTX 285
500GB Hard Drive

looking for suggestions on what i should change. I need a good Gaming PC that can run game on Medium and High Graphic Settings. I can somehow run Far Cry 3 on High.

I only have $500 hundred to spare. I buy other parts later if needed.

Answer 1

Grab a new motherboard, cpu and ram. Stuff it into your current case (if custom) and carry on. Upgrade the GPU when you can make a good jump - the 285 is really incredible for being so old. Might want to look at swapping to a 64bit OS as well as adding a SSD. If there's no 8-pin connector on the PSU (I can't remember if the 285 uses one!) then you'll need a new PSU when you upgrade the video card.

Answer 2

A hard choice to be sure. A two part choice as well. You have an out-dated system.

In order to move up you need to do a new system almost entirely except for the

case. To do the best AMD system you will spend about as much as an Intel one.

That is assuming you do it at one time(which you won't) so it will cost more than

an Intel will cost. I've heard that some games don't recognize Sli so if that is true

you would be hurting yourself that way also.

Games will work on 4G Ram but they do play better on 8G so you need a 64 bit

O.S.

AMD only has Pci 2.0 so using a 3.0 card on one keeps you from getting the full

potential from your GPU. You have two choices with AMD, neither of which seem

to fit what you want. The inexpensive boards have out-dated chip sets and only

one Pci express slot. The Better boards are $140.00 up. I have known people

who had good rigs(for gaming) that had the inexpensive boards though if you

decide that one card is best.

So then it's down to the CPU's. AMD has three actually good CPU's unless you

get one from e-Bay (the 970 and 975 are there). The 965 may not satisfy you

forever since you know that there are two that are better than it just waiting for

you out there. While the FX 4170 does deserve honorable mention one has to

ask themselves why buy a CPU that just is equal(almost) to the 965 when I

can get two that are better than the 965 ? Actually there are more than two but

why again get a CPU that has other models in the same line which are better

when you are up-grading. Just wait till you can get the top one in that model

and be done with it. Till then use what you have. So from the 965 you would

want to go to either the FX4300 which doesn't make much sense if the six

core FX 6300 cost only $10 more and gets a better rating on Tom's Hardware

CPU charts. Or the other logical choice is the FX 8350 but cost $200.

So then your up into spending the Intel money and why not do Intel and get

the Pci 3.0 ?

You have Intel so I don't know if you are thinking AMD or not but just in case

I thought you might like to know those things. I started/w AMD so I did it

when I up-graded. Have a two core AMD Phenom(to get started cheap)

but am holding out for the FX6300.

I would think your most logical way to go would be to get a decent board,

CPU, Ram and O.S. now (Intel) and wait till later, using your GPU till you

can buy a better one. Then get the better one and a case to put all the good

parts into returning the old GPU to the original rig and sell it or keep it as

a second computer.

This is the board I've seen used/w the AMD budget rigs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128565

These are the most common boards for the Intel mid range rigs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131823

For one GPU slot or this for two.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131837

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128544

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128546

And this/w one slot.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128543

Answer 3

Replace the CPU and motherboard, Im assuming thats DDR3 memory, if not do that aswell and then try to pick up a second GTX 285 and SLI them. That should be about $500. I suggest going for a Phenom X2 Black edition, they usually run about $120 and motherboards for them are about $60-100 for a decent one. Make sure the motherboard has 2 PCI Express 2.0 slots so that the second GTX 285 can be SLI'ed.

Answer 4

Buy 4 more gigs of ram, Then buy this graphics card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127696

That's extemely good and can run anything on ultra at over 80 frames per second. That's all you should upgrade the processor doesn't matter all that much in gaming the one you have will be the same if you bought the 2nd best intel one. Overall thats only like 360 $

Answer 5

I don't know but if you can build a PC your future is assured