Question Old computer / What graphic card is possible?

[TiluChris]

Hello All

I would like to improve an old computer, in order to give it to my young niece.

Configuration:
MB: MSI B85M-G43
CPU: Intel i3-4150 3.5 GHz (2 cores)
RAM: Vengeance DDR3 4GB
Cooling: normal fans (no water cooling)
OS: Windows 10

My questions:
- Is it worth trying? Nowadays, standards are so much higher! I'm not sure if it makes sense that I invest into this machine.
- If I go for improvement, what graphic card could I build in, matching well enough to maintain acceptable performances of the compy? Should I upgrade the RAM then maybe?

Thanks.

 

[boju]

Psu be the most critical information here. Ram upgrade 2x8gb should be a priority, 4gb is rather low. Graphics card perhaps 3050, but if were to upgrade cpu to something like 4770 or 4790 then gtx 1080 / rtx 3060 (or around there!) isn't far fetched. I used to run 1080ti with 2600k clocked at 4.5 and the combo ran quite well in both 1080p and 1440p.

 

[Lutfij]

1| No it isn't honestly since Windows 10 will be 10 years old as soon as 2025 comes around. You'll find that anything spent now is best spent towards something concurrent.

2| Make and model of your PSU and it's age? Why do you need to drop a discrete GPU onto the build? It'll end up being a money pit that has no end result apart from being a nostalgic build, IMHO.

 

[geofelt]

What would niece use this pc for?
If the pc does not have a ssd, that would be the first upgrade I would do.
Desktop will be much quicker and a ssd can be used on whatever the future brings.
4gb is very small, but if w10 is the 32 bit version, that is all it can use.
A 2 x 4gb or better, yet, a 2 x 8gb ram upgrade is in order.
Unless fast action gaming is desired, integrated graphics works well.

For fast action gaming, you want a discrete graphics card.
Here is a chart of gpu capabilities:
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html
A EVGA GTX1050ti would be appropriate, and will run on whatever psu you have now.
It runs on slot power.
To do much better, we would need to know the make/model of the current psu.

 

[TiluChris]

Your replies make me realize I forgot to tell my PSU and my disks.

PSU: Seasonic 360W
SSD on which is OS: Samsung 850 EVO 250GB
HD for storage: WD Green 2TB

My niece is fan of drawing and I would probably install Clip Studio Paint on the machine.

 

[punkncat]

IMO, stay with something low power enough not to need a PCI connector. The ASRock Arc A380 should be a worthwhile add on for that use case.

 

[Lolomid]

for a medium-tier Intel i3 CPU, the best choice is Nvidia GTX1060 or AMD RX570 as they will offer enough GPU power to provide enjoyable gaming experience

 

[geofelt]

I see no need for a discrete gpu.
Up the ram to 2 x 8gb which should not be expensive.
1600 speed will help with the integrated graphics.

 

[stonecarver]

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=ddr3+ram...dr3,electronics,237&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_4

Your only out give or take $20.00 for a huge improvement to the PC.

 

[TiluChris]

Nvidia GTX1060 and AMD RX570 have GDDR5: will that match with my MB that has DDR3?

On the internet, I find contradictory input about that, so I don't know what to trust.

 

[boju]

Nvidia GTX1060 and AMD RX570 have GDDR5: will that match with my MB that has DDR3?

On the internet, I find contradictory input about that, so I don't know what to trust.

System and video card memory have no relation and not restricted in any way.