Needed: Upgrade advice for a Useless individual!

[NathanL]

Hello all!

This is my first ever post here, and as you're about to tell, I'm a complete moron. So please, bear with me.

I'm know you get plenty of these sort of forums posts daily, and am aware you're probably fed up of them all by now! But if you happen to have some spare time. I could do with a bit of advice!

I bought my first 'Gaming PC' about, well, about 5 years ago now and it was basically a £800 start up machine.
Since then, I haven't upgraded it at all (apart from an additional hard drive), and haven't really used it for it's purpose of gaming at all, apart from less intensive games (Civilisation, etc, etc).
Now.. I'm very useless at this sort of stuff, and I didn't build the PC in the first place, I just bought it on PC specialist and went from there.

However, a couple of days ago, I bought that new Battlegrounds game, as I thought it looked a laugh and not too graphically intense. But, upon running the application, my computer sounded like it was going to explode and I'd already started to structure an Anderson shelter in my garden..
My computer started whirring so loudly i could hear it over my headphones and the game played as well as an Elephant trying to play the violin. It maxed at around 20fps, from my guessing. Meanwhile, the rest of the PC froze and i struggled to even tab out.
That's when I realised my PC was far from new anymore.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure what inside actually needs upgrading as I have no idea what is acceptable inside it.
The current specs are (Some may be guesses):

• GPU: GeForce GTX 560 Ti (My opinion of what the issue may be)
• CPU: i5-2500k 3.30ghz
• Memory: 8gb Ram
• Power Supply: 600W Quiet 80 Plus QUAD Rail PSU +120 mm Case fan (Whatever this is)
• Motherboard: ASUS P8Z77-V LX
• Case (If necessary to know): InWIN MANA-136 Case

Having also just looked inside the PC, it's incredibly dusty. What would be recommended to clean it out to have it looking sparkly once again.

I'd be very grateful if someone could help me! Just imagine i'm a male damsel in distress. I want to start making it my project to keep upgrading sop any advice anyone has would be much appreciated.

Cheers! I hope this post is easy to decipher for you!

 

[mickyflinn]

I just us a paint brush and a vacum cleaner to suck up the dust, i would certanly say that its time for a new gpu.

 

[Plec]

Welcome to the forum - I suspect half the kids on this forum are wondering what the hell is an Anderson Shelter - and why isn't he using his own

The good news is that the 2500K is more than capable at running BF1 - in fact any modern game when paired with a decent clock and more importantly a modern GPU.

You have a decent setup, motherboard included - and should be able to clock the CPU to an easy 4.3GHz no problem (you don't want to go nuts if you're after a quick fix and stable system - but 4.5GHz ).

You will need to change your cooler, if you only have the stock one installed, - it will help decrease that Junker dive bombing sound that's telling you to run to the Anderson shelter - plus it will keep the clock stable and keep the CPU frosty in relative silence.

The big expense will be the GPU - I personally recommend you get the GTX 1070 if you can afford it. But if funds are tight the RX 480 8Gb or the GTX 1060 6Gb will give your system a much needed boost especially if you only game at 1080p. Be warned the RX 480 isn't as slutty/compatible in older motherboards as the Nvidias - and also draws more power.

You will need to update your BIOS also for the new GPU - before you install it - this can be quite intimidating for the novice but we can talk you through it when required. But, when you do - make sure you do it via the BIOS environment.

So to totally revitalise your rig and make it all spangley and hip again (and it really will be able to roll with the big boys - they're great chips still):

• Clock the CPU (anything over 4.2GHz will be fine - stability is king)
• Get a new third party heatsink - I will need to check your case dimensions but if you're on a budget the Cooler master 212 is great value.
• Get a new GPU - ideally a GTX 1070 (approx £335 if you shop around) or the cheaper RX 480 8Gb or GTX 1060
• Upgrade your BIOS before anything

What's your budget?

 

[NathanL]

I just us a paint brush and a vacum cleaner to suck up the dust, i would certanly say that its time for a new gpu.

Paint Brush, hadn't thought of that, I'll bear that in mind!

• Clock the CPU (anything over 4.2GHz will be fine - stability is king)
• Get a new third part heatsink - I will need to check your case dimensions but if you're on a budget the Cooler master 212 is great value
• Get a new GPU - ideally a GTX 1070 (approx £335 if you shop around) or the cheaper RX 480 8Gb or GTX 1060
• Upgrade your BIOS before anything

Thank you for the detailed advice! But you may need to assist with most of it, to be honest!!!

Firstly, Apologies, I have no idea how to do this, will it be difficult or is it something a simple youtube video can teach?
Secondly, These are my Case Specs, just to save you checking!

Spoiler: Case Specs Inside

Model MANA136
Color Black, White
Case Type Mid Tower
Case Material SECC
M/B Compatibility 12" x 9.6" ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX
Expansion Slots PCI-E X 7
High-end Graphics Card Compatible
- Length: 290mm Maximum
- Height: 160mm Maximum
Front Ports 1 x USB 2.0
2 x USB 3.0
HD Audio
External Drive Bays 3 x 5.25"
Internal Drive Bays 6 x 3.5“
- 2 x EZ-Swap
2 x 2.5"
Thermal Solution Compatibility 2 x 120mm Front Fan(Pre-installed/Blue LED x 1)
1 x 120mm Rear Fan (Pre-installed)
2 x 120mm Top Fan
2 x 120mm Side Fan
Water Cooling Hole Ready
CPU Heatsink Compatible
- CPU die surface to side panel height: 160mm Maximum
Power Supply Compatibility PSII: ATX12V and EPS12V
- Length: 220mm Maximum
Product Dimension
(H x W x D) 432mm x 190mm x 495mm
17" x 7.5" x 19.5"
Package Dimension
(H x W x D) 483mm x 260mm x 570mm
19" x 10.2" x 22.5"
Net Weight 5.5kg/12.2lb
Gross Weight 6.6kg/14.6lb

Thirdly with the GPU, yeah I'll look to buying the 1070 in the next month or so, It'll definitely fit in my case yes?
Aaaand finally, (I'm going to sound really useless here!!) I really have no idea what a BIOS is, oh dear!

Thank you both for your assistance though! If you could provide further knowledge that'd be a great help!

Edit - No real instant budget, just looking at trying to upgrade it constantly (slowly) as a bit of a little project of sorts

 

[Plec]

You tube and the forum will be your saviour with most of this - I recommend a combination.

Clocking to 4.3Ghz should be relative breeze with a new cooler - even without . But we'll address that when you're equipped for the job - but I recommend reading around the topic and youtube (Do some searches on the forum they'll be scores of threads on this CPU). And then you can either go for it yourself or we'll guide you - but at least you'll know the BIOS - it's meaning and environment by then.

The Heatsink I mentioned will fit by 1mm (it's 159mm in height) - probably a bit too close for comfort but there are plenty of other to choose from.

And the case will take a full size GTX 1070 with no problems - MSI GTX 1070 armour OC is 170mm long for example

And the BIOS update - again we can talk you through this - but again familiarise yourself with the process via youtube so it won't seem so alien when you're ready to brick - sorry update your computer

No real budget(?) - well for approx £360 - £400 (i'll keep you on budget) you could totally reinvigorate your build. I wasn't kidding when I said with a healthy clock and new GPU your system will be able to keep up with the big boys when gaming (well hold its head up) - with minimal costs...

Additional: If budget really isn't an issue you could consider an additional 8Gb of memory as games are utilizing this more and more - but this isn't a game changer upgrade like the clock and GPU.

 

[NathanL]

Again, thank you very much for the reply.
So to recap, I should first look at doing the BIOS, secondly, new cooler, thirdly OC to 4.2ghz and finally get the new graphics card.
I'll look into all of this over the bank holiday weekend and will try and report back!

(You've panicked me when mentioning bricking though!!!!)

 

[Plec]

You will need to learn how to enter the BIOS - getting in and out without saving - basically getting familiar with the environment. Press and hold delete (or tap it repeatedly like a demented being) when the computer starts to post. Once in take a look around - but when you leave press ESC and DON'T save changes.

You would ideally take pictures of all your BIOS settings - really easy now we all have 'vunder' phones. This will help you set your BIOS back to the original settings after the flash. And don't worry - it's perefctly safe when updating in the right environment.

I'll look for some smaller coolers later - a couple come to mind. You have the option of an AIO (all in one cooler) - but they're expensive and you can get the cooling and relative silence with smaller air coolers.

It will seem daunting as you're practically doing a build - as you'll be playing with the BIOS, swapping a major component and swapping out the heatsink which may require removal of the motherboard. But you'll learn a lot and it sounds more complicated than it really is - think mecano with the slim chance of ambiguous results...

Regretting posting yet?

 

[NathanL]

Slightly regretting it yes!!!
I believe I've accidentally ended up in the BIOS before when my computer occasionally shut off randomly and restarted, is that correct?
One this I remember from it is that my mouse never worked properly on it, it only moved on a horizontal axis and only when holding down the left mouse button. Does this sound wrong to you? Haha

 

[Plec]

Sounds like you were in the BIOS/UEFI interface.

It may change significantly when you flash the BIOS - but suspect the UEFI format would have been fully implemented with the motherboards release. It basically makes the BIOS far more user friendly - a better GUI.

You should be able to use the mouse but if not the: tab key, arrow keys, plus/minus keys and enter are your goto keys for navigating the legacy BIOS but will work just as well within UEFI environment.

Certain F keys will have their uses when your ready to make changes but just press ESC for now without saving to bug out.

 

[rmonkey100]

Don't worry about Battlegrounds running slugglish and slow currently as its only just been released & isn't optimized at all yet, most players even on top end PCs, myself included are having to play with all the settings on very low, and even then it gets big drops still, but with that I can get mostly 70-80fps stable in game

There is a big update coming in a few days which is meant to bring in some optimization, so it should start running better & smoother soon, might actually be able to crank it up to ultra!

 

[NathanL]

Oh that's a possibility!
So in regards to the BIOS, is that something I can (theoretically) do as soon as today, nothing needs to be done to do that?
Also just a quick one, (sorry for being such a moron), what do you mean by flash the BIOS? is that a fancy technical term or nothing to worry about?

If you've had any luck with a new cooler search, please do let me know. And thank you very much for your help Plec, you've been great

 

[mickyflinn]

Flash the BIOS means updating it to the latest version. If you still have your manual then read it if not download it from theAasus site for you motherboard, you will also find driver and bios software here .

https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_LX/HelpDesk_Download/

 

[NathanL]

Oh Brilliant thank you!

 

[Plec]

Oh that's a possibility!

rmonkey is right BF1 has had some issues lately - but he was referring to your pending upgrade (clocked CPU combined with GTX 1070) when he mentioned running everything on ULTRA (just in case you were confused).

If you've had any luck with a new cooler search, please do let me know. And thank you very much for your help Plec

Budget again is key here but for example you could spend a modest amount and easily achieve a clock of 4.3GHz with a quiet fan and respectable temps - when compared to the stock cooler

Alpenföhn BEN NEVIS - £21.95 - this will fit in your case comfortably at only 141mm tall. Edit - just looking at your motherboard - for memory clearance looks OK on initial inspection...

i'll edit in some others - but if ~£25 was your budget for a cooler - this will do the job...

 

[NathanL]

Hang on a second, I've just had a check of my orignal order and this is the cooler: SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE INTEL CPU COOLER. Is that Stock or something else?

 

[mickyflinn]

Hang on a second, I've just had a check of my orignal order and this is the cooler: SUPER QUIET 22dBA TRIPLE COPPER HEATPIPE INTEL CPU COOLER. Is that Stock or something else?

I beleive its a stock cooler which should be good for an overclock to 4 ghz.

 

[Plec]

Could you link a picture - I get a mixed bag when I put that cooler into images.

The words Super Quiet bring up third party hits - but as mentioned above could very well be intel.

 

[mickyflinn]

Hmm i thought it was but is best to check.

 

[Plec]

I beleive its a stock cooler which should be good for an overclock to 4 ghz.

Agreed - but he wants to reduce the noise levels of his PC and if he's got an aging stock cooler - a good value Alpenfohn should be a good compromise (although it could be the GPU that's the noise maker - but he's changing that too). Makes you realise how great these chips were/are - a retail K and sometimes getting 1GHz extra for free on the stock cooler...

 

[NathanL]

Jesus the dust looks bad on the photo, I'll get cleaning it this weekend!!!

Hoping that picture works. If not i'll have to edit.