What is keeping back my PC?

[The__Malteser]

Hi,

I've got a pretty average PC, with ok specs but I want to see if with some cheap-ish upgrade, if I can increase my performance a fair bit. Not looking to spend a lot, as I will do a totally new build in a few months (or next summer, but I can hang out till then)

Mobo
Asus P5KPL-AM
Pretty average/**** board from what I heard Keeps my CPU from OCing to a lot higher it seems. Maybe this is the 'worst' part? But if I upgrade this, then I have to remove ALL the stuff from my PC, invest in some thermal paste, and that's a big hassle

CPU
Intel Core Duo E5200 @2.5GHz
Heard this is a good OCing CPU but due to the mobo, it can't be OCed much more than 3GHz. I managed to get it to 2.9 with a pass in Prime 95, but after around a month, the OC seemed to fail, no idea why, so I put it back to 2.5. This ain't a very good CPU I think, maybe this is the weakest part?

GPU
HIS 4850HD 1GB
I don't think I use the full power of the GPU to be honest. Yes the clock speeds go to the max when I play, but stuff like the GPU load is still down to 70-ish%. Think this is the best pece of equipment tbh, and even though its not good, its definitely not what's keeping the PC from going that extra bit. Its also the newest piece of the system, as my PC is roughly 2 years old, maybe 3, and I got this bit around a year ago.

PSU
Stock 500W
No idea what the make of the PSU is as it was a pre-built system, but I think its just a stock PSU. It seems ok though, never had problems with it, even though I know that the PSU is, virtually, the most important part as if that fails, you can damage more hardware. I know this doesn't leave me much where to improve, but as the upgrade I want to do will be rather small, I doubt its holding me back.

Cooling
Stock Cooling
Just got stock cooling on both the CPU and GPU. Not a problem at all though imo. CPU idle is just under 40 deg, CPU at load NEVER goes over 60 deg, which is very good. GPU is 50 idle, and around 60 at load. One again its ok.

RAM/Memmory
4GB (2x2GB) Corsair @800MHz
800 MHz ain't the best, but I never actually use 4GBs of RAM, more like 3.5, so don't think this holds me back.

HDD
Western Digital Caviar GP WD5000AACS 500GB 5400 to 7200 RPM
Served me well tbh. Don't even use half of it, so defo not looking into upgrading this.


Allright so, can I, with a cheap-ish upgrade, take my PC one step further? I'd be happy to push 60fps in BF, as atm, its between 20-50 (average being around 40) at lowest settings, but I do think the GPU has the power to go a step further.

 

[SeraphX]

all depends on your budget,

first thing i would upgrade is the power supply, it's all well and good buying nice shiny bits that you can overclock but if you skimp on a PSU and it go's pop, you nice shiny hardware, wont be so nice anymore.

2nd place would be a quad core cpu, Dual cores are ok for day to day usage but a decent quad wont hold your graphics card back so much.

As your on Socket 775, the best quad for the money would be the Q6600, overclocked to around 3Ghz -3.5Ghz.

upgrade your cooling too, stock is ok for stock settings but it's not so great when you make things run faster

 

[Idleman]

I`ve got an E5200 with an Asus P5N-MX oc`ed stable at 3.4Ghz. But on the advice of some of the guys on here, got rid of the cheap unbranded PSU and replaced it with an OCZ ModXstream 600W and got a Hyper 212+ cooler.

Why not do what i did and then you can use them in your new build. My PSU and cooler are now in my 2500k build.


http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_775/P5KPLAM/#CPUS

Hell, i really have to learn to type faster.

 

[The__Malteser]

Well, it looks like the upgrades will cost a tad more than I am willing to spend, reason being that I don't want to take out from the money I got saved for the new build.

And also, the reason I don't want to use them in this system is because the build I'm going to get won't be a cheap build, but more in the 1.5-2k range, meaning I will need probs something better than 620W (hopefully it will have sore sort of i9, new GPUs).

Will see though.

 

[Zefan]

I'd definitely upgrade your PSU now, there's nothing stopping you using it in your next "proper" build.

As for what's holding you back, it depends entirely on the game you're playing and what settings/resolutions you're using. Metro 2033 for example would run fine with your CPU, but your GPU would die a serious death, whereas BFBC2 would run fine on your GPU but be crying out for an extra 2 CPU cores!

If I were you I'd get a cheap Quad processor (plenty of q6600s going on the MM for around £50-60) and invest in a £100 or so GPU - I believe there are some stonking deals on 6850s/6870s at the moment.

 

[daveash]

I'd definitely upgrade your PSU now, there's nothing stopping you using it in your next "proper" build.

As for what's holding you back, it depends entirely on the game you're playing and what settings/resolutions you're using. Metro 2033 for example would run fine with your CPU, but your GPU would die a serious death, whereas BFBC2 would run fine on your GPU but be crying out for an extra 2 CPU cores!

If I were you I'd get a cheap Quad processor (plenty of q6600s going on the MM for around £50-60) and invest in a £100 or so GPU - I believe there are some stonking deals on 6850s/6870s at the moment.

This. Q6600 + decent cooler. Plus a 6850/6870/5850 or GTX 460.

 

[Randomface74]

I wouldn't spend any money on this rig - much better off in the long run if you buy a completely new rig. My old rig is similarly specced to yours, and tbh I can't even tolerate using it anymore. New rig is epic, and it's a year or so old now. Make sure you order new pants with your 2500K.

Hmmm, now I want Maltesers

 

[The__Malteser]

I wouldn't spend any money on this rig - much better off in the long run if you buy a completely new rig. My old rig is similarly specced to yours, and tbh I can't even tolerate using it anymore. New rig is epic, and it's a year or so old now. Make sure you order new pants with your 2500K.

Hmmm, now I want Maltesers

This is what I'll probably do tbh.

Cheers all.

 

[Zefan]

Please for the love of god replace your PSU! There's no reason not to, a good PSU will last you multiple builds and it'll protect your current (lol wordplay) rig from the possibility of a horrible melty fate!

 

[arc@css]

Think PSU, the most important part of the PC. It might not be the most glamorous component, but if you buy el cheapo ones you could be in for a shock D) if it gives out.