Where in my system is the bottleneck (for gaming)?

dubcat · 16 May 2014 at 14:07

I built a machine some time ago which i played warcraft a lot on. After kicking my warcraft addiction I stopped gaming pretty much. Now I'm toying with the idea of gaming again, maybe Skyrim, maybe something else. It has to look beautiful whatever it is.

Anyway, my system is pretty out of date.

Graphics: NVidia GeForce 9800 GTX+, it's only there because I used to run a hackintosh and it made my life easy. This is the first thing I know I will need to upgrade. Have not decided on what to get. I run Win 8.1 now btw.

Mobo and RAM: GA EX58 UD5 mobo with 6GB triple channel 1600 RAM, is this enough RAM? Is this RAM too slow by today's standards?

Processor: i7 920 2.66Ghz, is this too slow by today's standards?

Sound: I use the optical out from my mobo built in sound card and send it to a logitech 6.1 system. Is this good enough (the logitech and using built in mobo sound card)?

I generally use my system for Lightroom and it's fine for that. I figure it's going to need updating for gaming though.

Mrjobby · 16 May 2014 at 14:55

You will likely find that if you stick a new GPU in that rig for standard 1080 resolution games you will be fine.

More so if you stick a bit of a overclock on that 920.

Still very strong CPU's.

Idleman · 16 May 2014 at 15:03

A decent Gpu and a cooler if you don't already have one, then OC that chip.

Do you have access to the MM?

dubcat · 16 May 2014 at 15:09

Sorry what's an MM?

MM-Seat · 16 May 2014 at 15:12

dubcat said:
Sorry what's an MM?

The members market here on ocuk. You don't have access cause your posts are not above 1000

Idleman · 16 May 2014 at 15:13

dubcat said:
Sorry what's an MM?

The Members Market.

Just wondered if you met the requirements, as you are a long time member.

Idleman · 16 May 2014 at 15:15

MM-Seat said:
The members market here on ocuk. You don't have access cause your posts are not above 1000

That's not entirely correct, as he may have met earlier requirements, as there are members with fewer posts than the OP who have access.

dubcat · 20 May 2014 at 17:35

Yes i have access to members market. Not sure what i should buy though hence this post

tyketto · 21 May 2014 at 07:42

ive been a member of overclockers since may 2006 and I don't have access to members market...

,ive only got 195 posts...and I browse the site regularly.

Marine-RX179 · 21 May 2014 at 07:47

What monitor are you using btw?

From the look of the spec of your PC, you really just need to upgrade your graphic card and grab a decent CPU cooler and overclock that i7 920.

If you are still using some 1680x1050 display, then you should upgrade that as well. A game would only look as good as the display is capable of, which is something that are quite commonly overlooked with people thinking "max graphic settings in game- done"

Clav · 21 May 2014 at 09:10

There are some threads popping up with people getting rid of mining gear if you don't mind a gpu that has seen some heavy use there could be a bargain 290 or 280x to be had. Even a 2nd hand 7950 or 7970 would do you perfectly well.

Attu90 · 21 May 2014 at 17:10

A 7950 and a bit of overclock on the CPU and you will be fine for a while.