Rate my setup.

[HeavyProtocol]

-Asus p75h55M-LX Motherboard
-4 gigabytes of Kingston RAM
-ECS GeForce 9800gt
-IMAX P4-LGA-450 W+ PSU
-Core i5 650
-Powerlogic azzura m1000

I use this for gaming a lot, but I found it starting to show signs of lag in newer games lately.

 

[geofelt]

I think you are asking what to do for better performance in games.

If you need more graphics power, your PSU should be capable of running a graphics card as good as a GTX660ti or a 7850.
IMAX is not a familiar brand, so I might suspect it's quality. If it is poor, you might want to replace it regardless.

On the cpu side, you have a good duo which could probably be replaced by a quad like a i5-760.
That is of value if your games are multi core capable.

My take is that it is better to completely revamp the total rig instead of pouring money into a partial solution.

If you can't do it all at once, then a better graphics card can help now, and be carried forward to a new motherboard/cpu rebuild.

To help clarify your options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.


Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.


If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

 

[captjack5169]

Keep the CPU, get a new GPU, and up the RAM to 8GB just to be safe. Then you are good to go. A SSD might improve speed. Im just bought a 7870 2 GB I like it, good price.

 

[HeavyProtocol]

I think you are asking what to do for better performance in games.

If you need more graphics power, your PSU should be capable of running a graphics card as good as a GTX660ti or a 7850.
IMAX is not a familiar brand, so I might suspect it's quality. If it is poor, you might want to replace it regardless.

On the cpu side, you have a good duo which could probably be replaced by a quad like a i5-760.
That is of value if your games are multi core capable.

My take is that it is better to completely revamp the total rig instead of pouring money into a partial solution.

If you can't do it all at once, then a better graphics card can help now, and be carried forward to a new motherboard/cpu rebuild.

To help clarify your options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.


Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.


If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.

I lowered my graphics settings in BF3, it showed a significant increase in fps; 80 while stationary, 50 in combat. Compared to the former 45 stationary and 25-30 in combat.

Oh sweet apple pumpkins, my PC is going to get a Palit GTX 650. +Ti if my PSU can handle it.

 

[geofelt]

I lowered my graphics settings in BF3, it showed a significant increase in fps; 80 while stationary, 50 in combat. Compared to the former 45 stationary and 25-30 in combat.

Oh sweet apple pumpkins, my PC is going to get a Palit GTX 650. +Ti if my PSU can handle it.

If your BF3 play is multiplayer, you will want to consider a cpu upgrade to some sort of a quad, it can be very cpu demanding with lots of participants.
Single player not so much.

 

[HeavyProtocol]

If your BF3 play is multiplayer, you will want to consider a cpu upgrade to some sort of a quad, it can be very cpu demanding with lots of participants.
Single player not so much.

My terrible connection here prohibits me from going multiplayer. 300+ ping
Does my PSU able to power the GTX 650 Ti card? or should I be getting the GTX 650 instead?

 

[geofelt]

My terrible connection here prohibits me from going multiplayer. 300+ ping
Does my PSU able to power the GTX 650 Ti card? or should I be getting the GTX 650 instead?

If your psu has a 6 pin pci-e power connector, you should be good.

 

[jnjnilson6]

If you want to have a good gaming PC in 2013 you need at least 6 GB of DDR3 RAM. Your video card is immensely old, and even if it was one of the best back in the days, it's the bare minimum for high-mid level gaming today. I'd say get a Radeon HD 7850 or better if you want a good gaming experience nowadays. Your CPU is mediocre and I'd say that it won't last much long in the future as well. Your PC isn't going to perform well in newer games such as Far Cry 3 and Crysis 3. I'd say get an entirely new PC, because if you upgrade the RAM and the GPU, the CPU is going to die out in a couple of months, which means that you're also going to have to change the motherboard as well for a Sandy or Ivy Bridge CPU. And besides, your 450 Watt PSU is going to need replacing as well, even if it's efficiency is high to the roof. Personally, I'd say ditch this system and buy a new one, of course, if you want a high-end gaming experience, if you are still happy with what you have, keep it, it may struggle to 2014 somehow on medium and 1440x900.

 

[HeavyProtocol]

If you want to have a good gaming PC in 2013 you need at least 6 GB of DDR3 RAM. Your video card is immensely old, and even if it was one of the best back in the days, it's the bare minimum for high-mid level gaming today. I'd say get a Radeon HD 7850 or better if you want a good gaming experience nowadays. Your CPU is mediocre and I'd say that it won't last much long in the future as well. Your PC isn't going to perform well in newer games such as Far Cry 3 and Crysis 3. I'd say get an entirely new PC, because if you upgrade the RAM and the GPU, the CPU is going to die out in a couple of months, which means that you're also going to have to change the motherboard as well for a Sandy or Ivy Bridge CPU. And besides, your 450 Watt PSU is going to need replacing as well, even if it's efficiency is high to the roof. Personally, I'd say ditch this system and buy a new one, of course, if you want a high-end gaming experience, if you are still happy with what you have, keep it, it may struggle to 2014 somehow on medium and 1440x900.

Far cry 3? I can run low-medium at an average of 60 fps. Crysis 3 needs a dx11 card. I'm beat.

I won't be needing high-end PCs using Three-way SLI GTX TITAN, just too darn expensive.

 

[HeavyProtocol]

If your psu has a 6 pin pci-e power connector, you should be good.

Sadly, no 6-pin thingies.
Guess I'll have to spend on a new PC then.