Locating my bottleneck with my system

[Alec Shern]

I'm having low FPS in games and am trying to figure out what component it is.
System:
Acer x1700
4GB ddr2 RAM
Core 2 Quad q8600
EVGA GT 730 (2GB GDDR5)
7200 RPM WD blue drive

I'm trying to play games like CSGO and CS: Source but I am only getting ~19 fps in CSGO on lowest bare minimum settings. I'm not even playing on a 1080p+ resolution, it's less than 720p.

I figured these specs would be able to play CSGO with at least 30fps.
I'm on the latest version of windows 10.

 

[ingtar33]

that gt730 isn't' a gaming card. it's a word processing card at best. You probably need something in the range of a r7-250x at the LEAST for "gaming", though considering the pricing I probably would spend a little extra and get a gtx950.

furthermore, you have a 8yo cpu, and you are wondering why you can't game? that cpu will be a problem as well. still I would replace the gpu first.

 

[Ryan_78]

but looking upon it CSGO s old and would play well on grandma computers. a Q2Q and a 730 could play it well. a Q2D will cause some stuttering at low settings but paired with a 9800 GT it will play good 50 fps.
the issue is most likely the game itself. wait for an update to be downloaded and it should fix the problem. its more of a valve issue than a computer issue. maybe need some hotfixes

 

[filippi]

CSGO is an old 2012 simple fps game.
4GB+Q8600+GDDR5-GT-730 should be more than enough for smooth 720p gaming. You need to get reliable nvidia drivers.

 

[Alec Shern]

This is a computer I can run GTA5 on with lowest settings and get ~30fps. Min req processor for games like GTA5 and Project cars is a Q6600. I know this pc is old but I feel like I should be able to run CSGO on lowest settings.

Also note that this exact graphics card was on last years toms hardware GPU list as the best budget -$100 entry level gaming card. I'm not expecting much.

 

[filippi]

This is a computer I can run GTA5 on with lowest settings and get ~30fps. Min req processor for games like GTA5 and Project cars is a Q6600. I know this pc is old but I feel like I should be able to run CSGO on lowest settings.

Also note that this exact graphics card was on last years toms hardware GPU list as the best budget -$100 entry level gaming card. I'm not expecting much.

Actually the GT 730 1GB GDDR5 still is the "PLAYABLE HD" Graphics Card Top Picks.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gpus,4380.html

 

[Alec Shern]

This is a computer I can run GTA5 on with lowest settings and get ~30fps. Min req processor for games like GTA5 and Project cars is a Q6600. I know this pc is old but I feel like I should be able to run CSGO on lowest settings.

Also note that this exact graphics card was on last years toms hardware GPU list as the best budget -$100 entry level gaming card. I'm not expecting much.

Actually the GT 730 1GB GDDR5 still is the "PLAYABLE HD" Graphics Card Top Picks.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gpus,4380.html

I even got the 64 bit version they say is better. I just want playeable frames on CS:GO!

 

[Ryan_78]

didn't I post something. that is usually the issue with csgo. wait for an update and it should work, keep updated drivers and such. its most likely a game optimization issue than a hardware issue

 

[Alec Shern]

didn't I post something. that is usually the issue with csgo. wait for an update and it should work, keep updated drivers and such. its most likely a game optimization issue than a hardware issue

I didn't ignore what you said Ryan, thanks for the answer as well, but my frames can also drop in games like CS: Source.

 

[tsnor]

Suggest you look at you tube videos of gameplay for framerate. See if yours are really slower.

If you really are slower then run specialized benchmarks. Like memory benchmarks. CPU benchmark. 3DMARK for video, etc. and look to see which component scores abnormally. Game FPS can tell you something is wrong, but they cannot really help you isloate it.

Examples of strange problems: PCIe slot has some dirt in it so is acting as a x4 slot vs a x16 slot. Memory timings in bios are messed up. Storage controller is streaming errors into the PC so that most of its time is spent handling errors. etc.

Update: a good starting place for benchmarks are the benchmarks used by Toms and notebookcheck to test PCs. For example, the "synthetic benchmarks" in tom's builders marathon http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/newegg-system-builder-marathon-q4-2015,4401-2.html

 

[Alec Shern]

Suggest you look at you tube videos of gameplay for framerate. See if yours are really slower.

If you really are slower then run specialized benchmarks. Like memory benchmarks. CPU benchmark. 3DMARK for video, etc. and look to see which component scores abnormally. Game FPS can tell you something is wrong, but they cannot really help you isloate it.

Examples of strange problems: PCIe slot has some dirt in it so is acting as a x4 slot vs a x16 slot. Memory timings in bios are messed up. Storage controller is streaming errors into the PC so that most of its time is spent handling errors. etc.

Update: a good starting place for benchmarks are the benchmarks used by Toms and notebookcheck to test PCs. For example, the "synthetic benchmarks" in tom's builders marathon http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/newegg-system-builder-marathon-q4-2015,4401-2.html

I will test these out thanks