Computer lags in games

[Teeton]

Hello.

I have been experiencing a LOT of bad performance from my computer in the newest games.
I have run games like Battlefield 4 and Hardline just fine with my current specs, but I fear, that my CPU is getting too old, and I have too little RAM.
I have the latest drivers for my graphics card. I am sure i forgot something, but if you need more information, then say, and i'll tell you. Appreciate all the help.

Here are some of my PC specs:
GPU: MSI R9 380 4G
CPU: Intel i5 661
4GB RAM
PSU is 500W, but I can't remember the model.
I have my GPU on one PCI connector, which divides in the end to two connectors, which are both connected to the GPU. Should I get two separate connectors, or does GPU get full power like this.

Here are two examples of poor performance:
In Black ops 3, I get 60fps on highest settings, but I get constant minor screen freezes all the time, when I start the game. Once I have played for a while the freezes stop. Could this be caused by my processor, or RAM? Anyway, the next example:
In Fallout 4, I get very low fps in bigger areas, such as cities and forests. We are talking about the 15-20fps range.
I know, that my GPU is good enough to run Fallout at max graphics at 60FPS, but I dont know it needs two separate CPI connectors, or I need a better CPU, or more RAM. What goes for Black Ops 3, I suspect the RAM or CPU. Again, appreciate all the help.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Hi.

1. 4 Gb RAM is not enough these days, especially if you are doing anything else at all on your computer. Upgrading with an identical stick, to 8Gb will help.

2. A good PSU will have plenty of power on its cables to run your GPU that way. I run a GTX 980 like that.

3. Your PSU matters. We need to know exactly what it is. It may not have enough 12v amps available on the rail you are using.

That's not the greatest CPU either, but replacing it will be expensive, since you need a new motherboard too.

 

[Mr Kagouris]

The Fallout 4 issue is definitely the RAM and the CPU (it might help if you set it to Borderless Window mode instead of Fullscreen as Fallout 4 also has engine-related issues that cause stuttering and such even on pretty high end hardware).

 

[Teeton]

Are you sure about the motherboard thing, because i have Asus p7p55d pro, and that should be compatible with todays i5:s and i7:s.

 

[DonkeyOatie]

Yes. You have a dual core processor with an LGA 1156 socket. Modern chips are LGA 1151 or LGA 2011v3, and the previous generation was LGA1150. you need a different motherboard to run modern CPUs.

A four core processor would help some too, but in your socket, it will be slower.

 

[Teeton]

Would you have any recommendations then, somewhere in 300-400€ limit?

 

[DonkeyOatie]

That motherboard is a bit after and before my time (I had a big gap). I think it runs DDR3, so:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (€180.68 @ Mindfactory)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (€89.79 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Memory: G.Skill NS Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (€21.28 @ Amazon Deutschland)
Total: €291.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-17 19:25 CET+0100

German prices with CPU, Motherboard, and DDR3 memory and about the minimum I would want. Money saved by going previous generation, but still plenty good.

More expensive, but with the possibility of BCLK overclocking for additional performance.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (€215.45 @ Mindfactory)
Motherboard: Asus Z170-P ATX LGA1151 Motherboard (€116.94 @ Mindfactory)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws 4 series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory (€53.64 @ Mindfactory)
Total: €386.03
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-01-17 19:29 CET+0100

 

[Teeton]

Alright. I'll check these out, then see if there is any better options .

 

[Teeton]

Would these work? I can't post links because you probably don't understand finnish, so i'll just say the titles.

AsRock H97M Anniversary

Intel Haswell i5-4690K

 

[DonkeyOatie]

That motherboard is one of the cheapest and less featured ones out there. It would go OK with the i5 4460, but it is not really suitable for the i5 4690K. That CPU is unlocked and needs to be overclocked to get the best value out of it. That motherboard will not allow that.

OK, so you are in Finland. The CPU has more potential than the i5 4460 I suggested; it is a little faster and can be overclocked further. I had one of those and got it to 4.8Ghz, with 4.6Ghz for 24/7 use.



Give me a budget in Euros and a link to a site you might buy from (I am familiar with a couple of site there) and I'll tell you what I think your best choices are.

 

[Teeton]

I usually use this website http://www.jimms.fi/ to check on the parts, but I know people who know people, And from them I get a minor discount. My budget as I said would be around 300-400€, but of course the less money I use, the better, without getting too outdated components.