Computor Upgrades (Skyrim Preperation)?

Question

Im currently running a Dell Dimesion E520, specs are something like this:

Windows Xp

Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300

Processor Speed: 1860GHz

Videocard: Nvidia GeForce 6150 LE

Memory: 3Gb (Originally came with 1024mb and I added more)

Link: http://www.pcworld.com/product/29435/dell_dimension_e520.html?p=specs

So heres my problem, i've been having some performance issues running recent games such as New Vegas and are wanting to upgrade. I understand that my PC is far from a Gaming 1337 Machine, but I don't exactly have the cash to buy a brand new PC, so im wondering if you people have any ideas on upgrades for my PC. Im just abit worried that my current setup isn't going to be able to run Skyrim, which would be a disaster.

So any ideas on what to buy? I'd preferably like to keep prices under £100 if possible.

Also I WILL pick best answer, as that is something that not alot of the community like to do and is only my true way of paying you back for your advise.

Answer 1

Honestly, the best upgrade you could do is to buy or build a new PC with better specs.



Let's start with you processor...

Your Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 is in the Low Mid Range CPUs based on benchmark score of only 1,116 out of 10,604 maximum for best CPU

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E6300+%40+1.86GHz



Buying a better graphics card would most likely mean buying a bigger power supply (PSU). If you add maxing the RAM (if not already maxed out), you are basically throwing good money after bad. And you won't be able to do all this on 100 quid anyways....



Good luck.

Answer 2

I'm running a C2D E6550 with 4GB of Ram, and I play New Vegas just fine. I've had good frame rates, no lag. I don't know anything about NVidia cards, or how that compares to my ATI card, which is a Radeon HD 4650. The only big difference I can see between you and I is that you are using XP and I'm on Win 7 x64. In my experience Win 7 runs muuuuch smoother and more stable than XP. Even my very old computers run better on 7 than on XP.



Keep in mind that Skyrim will be released on the Xbox 360, the same platform as both Fallouts and Oblivion. The Windows and 360 versions are practically identical, even the save games are interchangeable, so I wouldn't expect a huge leap in system requirements, just a better use of the same requirements.



I know the drill... when Morrowind came out, I had to upgrade for it. When Oblivion came out, I had to upgrade again. I think Skyrim will be their first Elder Scrolls game that won't require a huge step up in hardware.



You will probably notice huge leaps in performance just from getting a fairly nice video card. Make sure all your RAM is the same exact speed, if one stick is DDR2-3200 and the other two are DDR2-6400, the faster ones slow down to match the slowest one, and you're better off with less RAM that is running faster. If you want a faster proc, you can pick them up on ebay pretty cheap. The one I have is only about $50 and there are better ones that should fit your system without any problems.

Answer 3

The reason why you are having performance issues with recent games is because your equipment is fairly old. It simply cannot keep up the the graphical demands of newer games. The best advice for you is to purchase Skyrim for PS3 or Xbox360.



The reason is:

- Upgrading CPU would need new motherboard ($$$).

- Upgrading your videocard would bottleneck due to the slow and old processor speed.



You could try saving abit more until you can purchase a new CPU + Mobo + Graphics + RAM (Probably an AMD computer).

Answer 4

Your cpu and ram are both ok for now. I'd suggest you get a new graphics card. Newer versions of games are more demanding in terms of graphics.



The Nvidia 9800gtx is a time tested and a really good graphics card.

The Nvidia GeForce GTS 450 is a more recent card which gives decent performance.It also supports DirectX 11 and has the required hardware for tessellation used in more recent high graphics games like Crysis2.

Both come for less than £100 and wouldn't require you to upgrade your existing Power Supply.



Also if your budget permits do check out the Nvidia GTX 460.



Hope this helps.. :)