Low Fps, low gpu load and cpu usage

[zagestone]

Hello,

I built this computer like 4 or 5 years ago and recently it's been struggling in games, such as GW2 and Tera. In Tera I get 14 fps max settings and 25 with min settings and resolution (and those are high values, in groups I dip down to about 5-10 on both settings.) I'm running:

-AMD Phenom II x4 965 3.4ghz
-Nvidia GTX 260
-M4A785TD-V EVO
-Windows XPx64 bit
-8gb Corsair xms3 ddr3

My GPU load sits at about 30% and CPU usage is between 40-50%. Drivers are all up to date. I'm not sure if it's the operating system that's slowing me down or the hardware. Appreciate any help, thanks.

 

[dragonlord12832]

Sounds like a good time to reinstall Windows.

 

[zagestone]

Sounds like a good time to reinstall Windows.

If that's the case, looks like it's probably time to upgrade to Windows 7. I have no idea where my CDs or keys are.

 

[zagestone]

By the way, is there any difference between OEM Windows 7 from Newegg? Or should I get a regular version?

And any other suggestions?

 

[tiny voices]

Your GPU is also old. Here is a comparison of it to an hd7750. The 7750 is the lowest of the modern cards and usually will game at low settings at 1080p.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/664?vs=535

 

[zagestone]

I heard MMO's are more CPU intensive than GPU. Should I get a new GPU and try to overclock my CPU? Along with getting Windows 7?

 

[tiny voices]

Yes, Overclocking the 965 is easy. I had mine at 4ghz for a year or so. Get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

 

[zagestone]

I tried overclocking once, but it didn't work. I don't know much about overclocking tbh, but I'll give it another try. Thanks for your help. I think I can only afford one upgrade at the moment, so I can either go with Windows 7 or the GPU/heatsink first.

 

[tiny voices]

If you don't get the heatsink, don't overclock. What GPU are you looking at?

 

[zagestone]

I was going to go with AMD 7850 I think. And do you know if Windows 7 OEM is worth getting?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

 

[tiny voices]

That's a good GPU choice.

OEM copies of windows are perfectly fine. They can only be used on one motherboard, however. You can usually call Microsoft and have them give you a new key if you ever need to change motherboards though.

 

[zagestone]

It'd come up to be around $360 for the GPU, heat sink, and Windows 7. Looks like I need to start saving money, haha. Thanks again.

 

[tiny voices]

Anytime, always glad to be able to help.

 

[zagestone]

One more quick question, could having 4x 2gb RAM slow anything down? would it be beneficial to switch my ram?

 

[tiny voices]

you have 4 2gb sticks? No, that's perfectly fine and won't slow anything.

 

[zagestone]

Yeah, I have four:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145263

 

[tiny voices]

Technically speaking, that's better than 2 4gb sticks.

 

[zagestone]

Ok, thanks. Just making sure.