Do I need to upgrade my CPU?

[Mike Green]

Hello people. I have finally decided that my xbox 360 is now a little outdated and games on steam are like a billion times cheaper. However, my pc and its organs are ancient and will need to be swapped out for new ones to play games. My current system is:

- ASUS P5LKPL-AM IN/GB motherboard
- Pentium dual-core E5400 @ 2.7GHz CPU
- PNY nVidia GeForce 9600GT GPU
- Crucial 2x4GB RAM
- 2 WD Caviar Blue 500/300GB HDDs

So after a conversation with one of my PC gamer buddies, he suggests that my CPU should be fine for gaming as long as my GPU is good (I was thinking of getting the GT 780). But, some places on the interwebs suggest otherwise. I would rather not have to buy a new CPU as being a student, I can't really afford it (and to be honest having to go through that may warrant getting an entirely new pc anyway). Also, I'm not looking for next-gen graphics, just enough so I don't have to run games like a sack of s***, and I don't get 1fps and ridiculous tearing.

So to summarise, can I get away with just updating my graphics card, and if so, what graphics card should I get within the £50-£120 price range?

 

[smorizio]

you rig is an older 775 and is at the age to put it out for a newer gaming pc. if you want you can buy a 750ti that faster teh the gpu you have now and is not a lot of money or the amd 7770 or it replacment. any faster gpu and the gpu will be help back by your cpu.

 

[TechyInAZ]

You NEED a new CPU, core 2 duo is ancient. Not up to the task of running games 6 years newer.

What's your budget?

 

[pasow]

if your going for anything above middle of the performance spectrum graphics cards, i would upgrade that CPU. even then, i would consider upgrading it. your model is 5 years old and it was a slower model for its time.

 

[liquidpower]

i would up grade the cpu even a Pentium G3258 will kill your current cpu and its only 70$ (http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Pentium-G3258-vs-Intel-Pentium-E5400) this will also let you get ddr 3 and a newer pci-e. but really it comes down to the games you will play but id still say upgrade that cpu

 

[Mike Green]

Yeah this pc has kept me going for a good 6 years now. Well, my budget is not a lot haha. The only thing about upgrading my CPU means that I'll have to upgrade my motherboard and my RAM is ancient too so I'll probably have to get new RAM to fit the new motherboard etc. Gaming is a bit of a money pit.