Help me identify my bottleneck please.

[secretGamer]

Should I (a) upgrade components, (b) sell or dismantle and rebuild?

I have $250-$300 max to upgrade or sell off and rebuild.

I use this mostly for gaming Battle field series games including BF3 and family use for Syncing iPhones (qty 3) and ipads (qty 2)to a seagate 2TB external drive over 3 users ID.

BF3 is a little jumpy at ultra but about 25-30 FPS at high settings.

Thank You in advance.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/9/2012, 12:51:04
Mother Board: AUSUS M4N68T-M
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.120330-1504)
BIOS: BIOS Date: 12/21/11 15:15:09 Ver: 08.00.14
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X4 630 Processor (4 CPUs), ~2.8GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4096MB RAM
Page File: 2259MB used, 7975MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

Storage : ST316031 8AS SCSI 150 Gig
Starage : Seagate FA GoLex Desk USB 2TB

Optic: ATAPI iHOS104 SCSI CdRom
Optic: SAMSUNG CD-R/RW SW-252S ATA

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 460
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0E22&SUBSYS_13623842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 2530 MB
Dedicated Memory: 738 MB
Shared Memory: 1791 MB
Current Mode: 1360 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: SK-32H640G
Monitor Id: WDE17A6
Native Mode: 1360 x 768(p) (59.799Hz)
Output Type: HDMI
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 8.17.0012.9573 (English)
Driver Version: 8.17.12.9573
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 2/9/2012 21:13:00, 17642816 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C

 

[Uther39]

Heres what id do..

Upgrade your Mobo BIOS to the latest version,

Then buy this..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

and this....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145324

Total together = $150 after rebates.

Then sell your old cpu, ram and gtx 460 on ebay, put the monry you get with the $150 you have left and buy this...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161411

These upgrades will give you a significant all round performance boost.

 

[secretGamer]

Thanks for the equick reply!

Do I need more power since i'm running 500W now? Im interested in a modular power supply for my next whole system upgrade in about 1 year or so.

 

[secretGamer]

Also, what would be a good selling price for the old cpu, ram and gtx 460 on ebay so I don't get called an idiot for over pricing but still get what they are worth. I only have the original boxes for the Mobo and Graphics Card.

 

[amuffin]

I suggest you overclock.

 

[Microgoliath]

I 2 suggest you overclock. That athlon x4 can do 3.4 ghz easy (that's what mine is running at) and add another 4gig of cheap ram, BF3 runs noticeable better with 4gig<.

My system athlon x4 620 @ 3.4ghz
12gig value ram
Ati 5770

Tested now, got 30-40 fps @ 1080p high with no AA. Usually play on everything low, game looks better like that to me lol.

 

[secretGamer]

If I overclock don't I need better cooling. I just have the stock. My mobo comes with a overclocking utility where I just have to hit the power button but I have never overclocked before. I am afraid I will bur out somthing.

I guess what I am saying is that I am sure I can figure out how to overclock but I don't know what my temperature limits are so I don't fry my only gaming rig?

 

[Uther39]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

if you want to try overclocking buy and fit the above first.