What would you upgrade?

khare

khare

khare

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Joined
26 Aug 2010
Posts
186
Location
South UK
Hi guys, I'm looking at upgrading something on my PC, as times have moved on since I purchased it and although the PC was great 3 or 4 years ago, it's since been surpassed by better components and games are struggling to play properly.

Here are the specs.

AMD Athlon II X4 635 (overclocked to 3.5ghz)
Asus M4N68T Motherboard
Nvidia GTX 470 Graphics card (overclocked)
Corsair XMS3 1600mhz 12gb RAM (2 x 2GB, 2 x 4GB)
OCZ ZS Series 650W '80 Plus Bronze PSU

What component do you think should be upgraded? I'm thinking motherboard, but which one? I'm not looking to spend more than £45 or so (I don't mind buying B Grade stuff!)
 
Even with £100 you're struggling to get any appreciable gain. Your computer is only as quick as the slowest component so spending £100 in one area will not make a massive difference.
 
Mobo upgrade won't give you any performance boost - it'll just let you upgrade the CPU to AM3+ units.

What games do you play, and what settings? it could be the CPU or the GPU holding you back.
 
To be honest I don't really play much other than BF3, BF4 and the odd racing game. BF3 runs silky smooth in high settings, BF4 stutters and has the odd visual issue on low settings.
 
Multiplayer BF4 presumably?

Probably the CPU if it happens even at low settings. You can get an FX-6300 and a Gigabyte 970A-DS3P mobo for a combined £147. You'd probably get £50 or so back if you sold your current CPU + mobo.

Alternatively, you could get a used Phenom x6 for your current mobo. £100 should get you a 1090T or similar.
 
Yeah BF4 multiplayer. I do reckon it's the CPU, when the computer is under load some things take forever to do. Where about is that combo you mention?
 
Nice one mate thanks very much. What's the difference between the DS3P and US3P then? Mobos I really don't understand.
 
The voltage regulation is much beefier (it's 8+2 phase rather than 4+1 - which translates to being able to handle a bigger power draw from the CPU before it starts to throttle power delivery). Also takes an 8-pin ATX power connector rather than the 4-pin for the DS3P.
 
Don't know what that means but I'm excited!

will%2Bferrell.jpg
 
Bought the UD3P board and the FX 6300 :D

So much for £45 budget.....

Now one question.

I run 2 2GB XMS3 sticks, and 2 4GB XMS3 sticks.

Would it be better to run the 2 4GB sticks on their own rather than mixing them with 2 2GB ones?
 
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