FPS issues when playing games

ArronT

ArronT

ArronT

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Joined
14 Jan 2016
Posts
9
Before i Start i would just like to say i have little knowledge at all about computer hardware and would just like help with an issue i am experiencing.

I bought my computer two years ago for general purposes but recently use it for gaming, Ive had no issues until recently when playing high detailed games, my computer just cant handle it and has a huge drop in FPS making games unplayable, even when lowering the game graphics quality I still recieve FPS issues.

These are the specs of my computer:
CyberpowerPC
Processor: AMD FX-4170 Quad-core processor
Installed RAM 8GB (4GB usable)
Graphics card: AMD Radeon HD 7700 Series

What do I need to upgrade in order to play games such as fallout 4 in at least high detail with no issues? I take it a new graphics card but do you need to upgrade anything else in conjunction to handle the new graphics card?

I am not looking for the best in the market, just something to eliminate the problems im having.

Thanks
 
What resolution is your monitor?

What case and PSU do you have?

Do you know what motherboard you have?
 
1280 x 1024 is my monitor resolution

My motherboard is a Biostar Ta 970, this isnt the original motherboard in my computer as my old one broke, dont know if this plays a part in it?

Dont know anything about my psu but it says AC 230V.

My case is a Cooler master elite 310 mid tower gaming case.
Hope this helps
 
Open the case up and usually there's a label on the side of the PSU with a make and model number/wattage.

This will help determine if,

A) you need a new PSU to support a stronger gfx card.

B) what gfx card you can potentially run off your current PSU.


Why do you have 4GB ram usable? Is it because you have a 32bit operating system installed?
 
Ill open the case now and check, but no i have a 64bit operating system installed, is 4GB ram usable far too low or something? sorry i really dont have a clue about all this haha.
 
The PSU is a worry and I would suggest changing for something from a known make/oem with strong amps on the 12v rail.

I dont understand why you have 4gb usable when you say you have 8gb installed, what does cpu-z (a program you can download) say on its memory tab?
 
This is your case,

http://www.coolermaster.com/case/mid-tower/elite-310/

Maximum Compatibility VGA card length: 275mm / 10.8 inch
CPU cooler height: 155mm / 6.1 inch
Click to expand...

So it can take ok'ish length gfx cards, easily any you are possibly wanting to upgrade to.

I guess what budget would you like to spend is another key question.

I see CPU-Z says 8Gb on single channel, do you have a single ram stick or a pair fitted (i.e two lots of 4Gb) as if you do have a pair then they are in the wrong slots and that board is able to run dual channel for best bandwidth.
 
Well im willing to spend anything upto about £600 would that be enough for what im asking?

And im sorry but im totally lost with that, im literally grandad when it comes to computer hardware. is there anyway i can check if i have a single ram or pair fitted?
 
ArronT said:
Well im willing to spend anything upto about £600 would that be enough for what im asking?

And im sorry but im totally lost with that, im literally grandad when it comes to computer hardware. is there anyway i can check if i have a single ram or pair fitted?
Click to expand...

£600 could make a new PC that will play games at 1080P resolution, so higher than your current monitor.

To check your ram you will have to look at the four slots by the cpu on the actual motherboard and see how many are filled, and if you have two filled are they using the same colour slots (red or black x 2).

Can you also show me the SPD tab of cpu-z, just incase you have faster ram fitted and are only running it at 1333mhz rather than potentially better/higher speed.

As for the 4Gb usable, i think your saying thats what is left free from the 8gb while running the desktop etc and while sat typing on these forums, which is normal, cpu-z does say you have 8Gb fitted and that is what is available in total when needed, 8Gb for games is a spot on amount.
 
The SPD tab:
https://gyazo.com/f02fdd82da33ef004e6cce060db13152

Ok ill get onto that right in the morning, wont be in much longer.

Could be me just repeating the information wrongly tbh, not my forte at all.
If you was in my situation with my specs, and £600 to spend would you just buy a new computer or upgrade what i already have?
Bare in mind i wouldnt have a clue how to install bought components, would have to rely on friends or pay to have them fitted.

Edit: Also found on the SPD tab, the same information is found on slot#3 also.
 
So 666Mhz (666x2 as its DDR for double data rate = 1333Mhz) so your RAM is running at its correct speed, just potentially maybe in single rather than dual channel operation.

You could start off with spending just £50 on a good 550W PSU and say up to a max of £150 for a nice gfx card (GTX960 or R9 380) that will easily running the monitor you have (amount of physical pixels) and even a 1080P monitor.

Then say add an SSD (to run the OS and games from) which wont add any more frames per second or allow you to increase the in-game details settings but will make the PC more responsive and snappier to use compared to using an old mechanical HDD, a 256GB SSD is like £60.

Then see how that performs with your current CPU and go from there maybe to a intel i5 CPU if you are still not happy.

One more question is do you have all the drivers for the chipset of the motherboard and the AMD gfx drivers installed etc.
 
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