[Tip] Upgrade Core2Duo to play

[Jose_Turok]

Hello I am new to the forum,
I bought my desktop computer a couple of years ago and there are already some games that I can't play.
I wanted to ask for your advice on what hardware components I could improve (replace) to upgrade my computer.

Thanks a lot and regards!
Here is the description of my desktop PC:

CPU type
DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3000 MHz (9 x 333)

Motherboard name
Gigabyte GA-EP31-DS3L v2 (3 PCI, 3 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN)

System memory
4096 MB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)

Video card
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (1024 MB)

Video card
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (1024 MB)

3D accelerator
nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250

[Fassou]

You can start by putting a better graphic or jumping into changing the platform, but the first thing you should do is read the pinned posts: What PC to buy? and What do I need?, that's what they're for.

Salu2!

[_Neptunno_]

@Jose_Turok:

Hello, I'm new to the forum,
I bought my desktop a couple of years ago and there are already some games that I can't play.
I wanted to ask for your advice on which hardware components I could improve (replace) to upgrade my computer.

Best regards and thank you very much for your help!
Here is the description of my desktop PC:

Type of CPU
DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo E8400, 3000 MHz (9 x 333)

Motherboard Name
Gigabyte GA-EP31-DS3L v2 (3 PCI, 3 PCI-E x1, 1 PCI-E x16, 4 DDR2 DIMM, Audio, Gigabit LAN)

System Memory
4096 MB (DDR2-800 DDR2 SDRAM)

Video Card
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (1024 MB)

Video Card
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 250 (1024 MB)

3D Accelerator
nVIDIA GeForce GTS 250

It is also important to say how much you want to spend, and it also depends on the games you decide to use and how demanding you are
To give you an example from the forum, Cobito has a similar micro to yours (with OC it will be +/- equal in performance), 8GB of memory and an GTX460 and BF 3 runs decently.
Another thing is to ask to put everything to the max at FullHD, of course, but that's why it's important to know your level of demand;D

I have at home from my peers an E6700@ 3.6, 4GB and an GTX 460 and I play my vices in BC2 without problems.

So, it's possible that an GTX 560TI could be more than enough for you, but if you don't mind having an AMD-Ati, the HD6870 goes pretty well. A good friend has a micro like yours, with 4GB and an HD6870 and he is delighted. Previously he had an HD4850, but it died in the line of duty and he put this one.
They play a lot of Mass Effect 1,2,3, Dragon Age 1 and 2, Modern Warfare, etc and he is delighted.

Regards!!

[amd125]

I would also look into getting a second-hand Quad Core. A Q6600 would be fine. They go for around €60 and although they run at 2.4 GHz, it's relatively easy to overclock them to 3.0-3.2 with a good heatsink.

It's important to know what resolution you play at. I have the signature rig and I play at 1280*1024 so I have no problems, but if I wanted to play in Full HD, the CPU would be a bit short in some games.

But I would prioritize the graphics card over the CPU. Other than these two components, I wouldn't touch anything, because otherwise it would be more cost-effective to switch platforms and sell your components.

[CRASHON]

Good evening friends!!! How long!!!

I'm "snooping" in the post of friend Jose_Turok, since I have very similar doubts…the micro I have is even lower, but the poor thing has behaved well so far...

And the money I spent on the 8800 GTS I think was worth it, but in battlefield 3 I already saw myself veryyy but veryyy tight...I had to lower the resolution a lot, for COD it still works (expensive!! with that engine!!!)

Honestly I'm a lover of shooters, so I have doubts if I should use the current equipment to retire my p4 server and put in the c2d and change to the new platform or change the graphics card and try to get a better processor from 2nd hand...how do you see it?? do you know if I would get some money for the current graphics??

Thanks as always for your help, you are great!!!

[Sylver]

Hello CRASHON, welcome back here

I always see a better option as an update to the platform. Leave that C2D for eMule, sell the P4 that you can still get some money from, and you can also get some euros from the 8800.
As for the new platform, an Ivy right off the bat, or a Sandy with K that is great for overclocking, especially if you are going to play, accompanied by a good graphics card, and you will be delighted, I tell you that I updated three months ago to a 2500K jajaja

Best regards!

[CRASHON]

Thanks for the welcome, it's always a pleasure to deal in this forum...

Well, I have thought about your solution, yes, but I am very lost with the second-hand issue at the moment... orientatively, what value could the components have? Or would it be advisable to sell by pieces?

[Sylver]

Man, when it comes to a P4 you'll almost certainly end up selling for parts, the best place to do it is definitely Hard2mano, I don't know if you'll be a member…
About the graphics, I'd say you can get about 25€ or so, just by looking, maybe a little more or maybe a little less, I'm not sure. But in any case, don't expect to get a fortune for parts from a P4

Best regards!

[CRASHON]

Thanks for the reply, madre mia…the que.me cost me the graphics!!! Every time I have more clear that it's not worth betting on the latest....

No, I'm not a member as far as I remember, I sold the old computer a long time ago and I don't remember if it was through there...

I'm going to see first among acquaintances if they're interested...I'm about to sell everything and change platforms and get a NAS for downloads and server...it's all about seeing...

If anyone is interested in anything from the firm, I'm listening to offers!!

[CRASHON]

What do you think about 70 euros for the motherboard, processor, 4 GB of RAM and the graphics card of the main computer?

[_Neptunno_]

Due to the Physx issue, the G80/G92 are quite valued, you could possibly get 40-50€ for it, with that you could look at a second-hand Q6600 and not spend much money. And you look at some new graphics and you have for a while
Maybe having only 4GB could limit you for a medium future, but well.

If you're short of money, sell your equipment and buy an i5 go crazy. I suppose that for about 600/650€ you can get something decent.

If you're short of cash, then look at a Q6600, a little memory and buy a graphics card like HD7850 or similar and you'll have for a while.
For the P4 I don't think you'll get much and it can almost serve you for any need, but well.

Regards!!

P.D: I'm glad to see you buddy

P.D2: A Q6600 overclocked to 3.2-3.6Ghz performs great still, maybe in minimums it falls short, but it holds up pretty well.

[Sylver]

Not much for a C2D, you can only get 40€ out of the memory if it's DDR2, which is very sought after for PCs of this type.
I would ask for 100€, maybe it sounds a bit exaggerated to some but 25€ motherboard, 15€ micro, 40€ memory, 25€ graphics… rounding up 100€ would be its fair price.

Edit: Since according to Neptunno the graphics card is better valued, you could go up to 120€ for the set, +20€ for the graphics card (about 45€ alone)

By the way, don't bid here for your parts, I think buying and selling in threads is not allowed

Best regards!

[CRASHON]

Excuse moderators, it was not my intention to put anything up for sale, it was just reasonable doubts about the value of these components today.

Wow, I didn't think these components were worth so much…(if the memory is DDRII) and I also didn't think that upgrading would cost me 600 €, that amount just for the motherboard, memory, and card? What components were you recommending, neptunno???

To sum up, on the one hand, I either sell the graphics card and get a processor, which would leave me about the same... and I get an updated graphics card (120?) or I try to sell everything and spend a little more than 400 €.... is that right??

[Sylver]

I think it's a good idea to sell one of the two or sell both, and buy a new platform with new graphics.
For 600€ logically you can build the whole computer, not just the motherboard + memory + card
In fact, for about 400€ if you take advantage of parts like hard drive, case, etc., you can build a good machine to give a lot of fight.
For example, mine was:

-i5 2500K–---------------------------------------190€
-ASRock Z77 Extreme4-------------------------120€
-G.Skill Ripjaws X 8Gb (2x4Gb)----------------40€ (second hand with two months of use)
-Corsair TX 650 V2------------------------------50€ (second hand with 4 years of warranty still)

I reused the hard drive, graphics, case and disk drives, although I used the integrated graphics right now (which is not bad at all) but I have a powerful one for gaming :ugly: the 5850 Xtreme from the PC2 of my firm, which I am thinking about whether to get another one and mount it in crossfire or if I should get a superior one directly for that team, but anyway, that for barely 400€ you can build the main thing and add a little more for the graphics, or wait and save for the graphics, or get a processor a little simpler and a more economical motherboard, and with what you save get a decent graphics card. The important thing is that you will notice the change of platform, it depends on what you want the team to last, if you invest in components of higher quality and performance, they will last longer before asking for another update :sisi:

Regards!

[CRASHON]

I agree with your idea of quality components, I wouldn't know when I bought my current computer... but 0 problems from day one.

I probably already sold the motherboard, memory, processor, and graphics for 120 euros... so thanks for the recommendation.

Now, as you comment, I keep the case (that antec is good for a lot), power supply (it already cost me a lot), and hd... I would need a processor, motherboard (as long as it has gigalan, good sound, and not much more, that is, that it's good), memory, and graphics...

In the matter of graphics it's like everything, the truth is that the current one has given me a lot of fun... but from the 300 that I cost to the 40 practically that have been sold, I am clear that I will never buy the latest... so how is the market now, let's say to play battlefield 3 with good resolution and not everything at full but that you enjoy it well?

[Sylver]

That source is not bad, I think it will be good for you to feed all the new stuff, but be careful with overclocking and with putting in a very hungry graphics card, it can be dangerous.

Right now you have for example an i5-3570 for 196€
an ASRock Z77 Pro3 motherboard for 88€
G.Skill Ripjaws X 1600 8GB (2x4GB) memory for 37€
and a 7850 graphics card for example, which is around 170€

In total approx. 490€. With that you would already play perfectly everything with high resolutions and it would last you a while.
If you get it on Amazon you will probably save a little on each component, which lately have had some interesting prices and shipping is free.

¡Greetings!

[CRASHON]

Well I've checked prices and there's everything... the biggest differences in the processor but you should know that I'm going for that configuration... I've always listened to this family and I will continue to do so...
The only thing I'm unsure about is the graphics, I see that there are 1 and 2 gb I imagine that 2 gb will be recommended, right? Do you recommend any assembler?
If nothing happens next week there's a sale and I'll start ordering... thanks guys!!!!

[amd125]

Graphics I recommend 2 Gigas. Some current games like BF3 with a Giga are a bit on the limit to play in Full HD if you put filters. Assembler… it's up to preferences. The last ones I've had have been Sapphire and it's gone well. Don't buy a 1 Giga version to save less than 20€ that you will regret in the future.

Processor, well the 2500K or the 3570K. Better a K that comes unlocked and you can do an Overclock Majo. I prefer the 2500K it's cooler, it performs very well and it's cheaper.

[Sylver]

Here's another one who has good experiences with Sapphire :sisi: but indeed, it's a matter of preference, as amd125 rightly says.
As for the amount of memory, 2Gb is what you need since we are entering new generations of graphics. With 1Gb it's already good, but soon it will almost certainly be insufficient.

Greetings!

[_Neptunno_]

@amd125:

I prefer the 2500K it's cooler, it performs very well and it's cheaper.

Well, the truth is that there is barely any difference in performance between the two, but the 3570K is cooler, as it gives 77w compared to the 95w of the 2500k.
That is, I don't know the current prices, but depending on the difference, one or the other.

Personally, I think that for a long processor, choose one or the other

Regards!!