[SOLVED] Should I upgrade my pc or buy a brand new one

[DirtySZN]

So I’m very new to building PC’s/upgrading/etc.
I currently have a custom “gaming” PC purchased off of eBay.
Specs - Intel i5-3470 @3.20 Ghz -4 threads
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
240GB SSD
Windows 10 Pro
8GB RAM ddr3
Lenovo motherboard/BIOS & case
Not sure what the power supply is, but I’m going to look inside of my pc later - I think it is 280W but I have to check later

So i only play 2 games(Fortnite & Call of Duty Warzone).
What should I upgrade here if I were to in order for it to run smoother. Meaning; when I play fortnite, even on low settings @1920x1080 resolution, I’m struggling to keep consistent frames(I couldn’t even give you an average FPS honestly) and there is definitely a lot of input delay compared to when I go to 1600x900 resolution(but this looks like garbage)..
And as far as warzone, the game is extremely hard to render in and play on this PC just overall.

So is it worth upgrading, and if so, how should I go about it for the first few steps?
Thanks in advance!

 

[jay32267]

I would start over with a new motherboard/CPU/PSU.

First...I don't know how much faster you can go with a CPU and that motherboard.
Second, I have found Lenovo MBs difficult to find upgrade information on.
and third, it probably has a proprietary PSU....and those can be difficult to work with/replace.

 

[DirtySZN]

I would start over with a new motherboard/CPU/PSU.

First...I don't know how much faster you can go with a CPU and that motherboard.
Second, I have found Lenovo MBs difficult to find upgrade information on.
and third, it probably has a proprietary PSU....and those can be difficult to work with/replace.

Gotcha! Now would you have any recommendations about 1. where to start off with a new PC with a budget of $1200 to run those specific games well; and 2. for the meantime until i would get a new pc, is it worth it at all to upgrade anything for a cheap amount to help it run better because I most likely wont get the $1200 one for another 2 months or so

 

[jay32267]

I would create a new post regarding the new PC. There are people on here that will be able to help you better than I can with that.

...as far as upgrading anything now...the only thing I might do is go to 16 MB memory....as that won't cost much.....and might get you something.

 

[geofelt]

First, find out if you are cpu limited or graphics limited.

Here is a simple test:
Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
This makes the graphics card loaf a bit.
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 more cpu limited.
As a corollary,
Limit your cpu, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.
Most games depend on single thread performance.
I found this study of fortnite.
It suggests that you should be playing well with your cpu/gpu combo.
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fortnite-best-performance-benchmarks,5541.html
Interesting, it found negligible difference when the game was limited to two threads.

As to Warzone, I have not researched that.

If you want a more capable processor, the strongest your motherboard can support is likely to be a i7-3770K.
You might find one used on ebay for $110.
What you would get would be 4 more threads which are not useful for fortnite, and only a5% boost in single thread performance.
Not much worth it, I think.
A better processor will be a current gen ryzen or intel 10th gen processor.
You will also need a new motherboard and ddr4 ram.
a 2 x 8gb DDR4 ram kit will be about $65.
A basic motherboard will be $100-$150.
A ryzen 3600 processor or a intel I5-10100 processor will be about $150.
The ryzen will have 12 threads and the intel will have 8.
The plus for the intel is that the single thread performance is a touch better for single thread performance.
FWIW, I just ordered a i5-10100 and a asrock B460m ITX motherboard for my son.

You should be able to reuse your case, graphics card, ssd and possibly your psu.
I doubt that your psu is only 230w which is insufficient for a GTX1060

If you need a stronger graphics card for fast action gaming, you will likely need a psu upgrade.

 

[DirtySZN]

First, find out if you are cpu limited or graphics limited.

Here is a simple test:
Run YOUR games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
This makes the graphics card loaf a bit.
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 more cpu limited.
As a corollary,
Limit your cpu, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.
Conversely what a 30% improvement in core speed might do.
Most games depend on single thread performance.
I found this study of fortnite.
It suggests that you should be playing well with your cpu/gpu combo.
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/fortnite-best-performance-benchmarks,5541.html
Interesting, it found negligible difference when the game was limited to two threads.

As to Warzone, I have not researched that.

If you want a more capable processor, the strongest your motherboard can support is likely to be a i7-3770K.
You might find one used on ebay for $110.
What you would get would be 4 more threads which are not useful for fortnite, and only a5% boost in single thread performance.
Not much worth it, I think.
A better processor will be a current gen ryzen or intel 10th gen processor.
You will also need a new motherboard and ddr4 ram.
a 2 x 8gb DDR4 ram kit will be about $65.
A basic motherboard will be $100-$150.
A ryzen 3600 processor or a intel I5-10100 processor will be about $150.
The ryzen will have 12 threads and the intel will have 8.
The plus for the intel is that the single thread performance is a touch better for single thread performance.
FWIW, I just ordered a i5-10100 and a asrock B460m ITX motherboard for my son.

You should be able to reuse your case, graphics card, ssd and possibly your psu.
I doubt that your psu is only 230w which is insufficient for a GTX1060

If you need a stronger graphics card for fast action gaming, you will likely need a psu upgrade.

I appreciate all of this info!
So you first mentioned upgrading the cpu if I am more cpu limited. I will definitely try the test out later when I get home that you gave me to do. I think, and I could be wrong, but I think I’m a bit more cpu limited for sure only because my FPS has stayed pretty much the same at all resolutions/graphical settings. The only thing I notice that truly changes is the better input delay at lower resolutions.
As far as the watts on the psu; I could be completely wrong; will check that later on as well and look inside the case.
If I can send you more information later about my motherboard, can you ensure me that the i7-3770K will be the most that it can possibly handle? I’m willing to pay a little more than the $110 if its worth it and can handle a little more. If not I’ll go with that.
By 8PM est tonight I’ll have some more info for you! Thanks!

 

[Juan_Bijero]

I’m struggling to keep consistent frames(I couldn’t even give you an average FPS honestly) and there is definitely a lot of input delay compared to when I go to 1600x900 resolution(but this looks like garbage)..
And as far as warzone, the game is extremely hard to render in and play on this PC just overall.

So is it worth upgrading, and if so, how should I go about it for the first few steps?
Thanks in advance!

What is the refresh rate of your monitor - 60hz or 75hz? Also what is the response time of the monitor? <4ms or >4? You won't get decent fps if your monitor is only 60 or 75hz. Input lag comes from the high response times. So please state your monitor name and model.

 

[Juan_Bijero]

You also need more head room than 8 GB of ram will give. 16GB should be your minimum for gaming. But hold off on buying new ram until you choose your new motherboard and processor. When buying ram always check the motherboard manufacturer's QVL (Qualified Vendor List) first!

 

[Juan_Bijero]

If you find that you need to upgrade your monitor, a 27" 2K (WQHD) monitor with 144hz refresh rate and 1ms response time would be my suggestion. Acer-Kg27hu-27-wqhd-144hz-freesync $320.00 at Microcenter which is half the price of my personal monitor also similar specs and same manufacturer.

 

[DirtySZN]

What is the refresh rate of your monitor - 60hz or 75hz? Also what is the response time of the monitor? <4ms or >4? You won't get decent fps if your monitor is only 60 or 75hz. Input lag comes from the high response times. So please state your monitor name and model.

So I actually already have an ASUS VG248QE 24" LED 1MS 1080P gaming monitor. It's 144hz as well. So I am good there. When I say input delay, I guess I mean that it just feels less responsive because of the lack of FPS at those resolutions maybe.

 

[MJS WARLORD]

Not making fun of you but only 8gb of 3ddr ram and a 280 w psu , how has your system kept running , many years ago a shop put a gtx 260 card in a pc for me and i burnt out the psu cos they did not check the cards requirements and it simply worked the psu flat out till it died.

OK so on a more serious note , you say you only use 2 games but the point is with your current set up their will be lots of titles you will never be able to use.

Depending on how long you have had ANY pc their will become a point where upgrading turns into a money pit , so you need to decide if you should ditch what you have and start again with a more up to date set up.