Should I upgrade?

[hornet07]

I have a pretty old computer and I would like to squeeze a little more performance for gaming if I could, before buying a new one a few years down the line.

Specs:

Graphics Card: Sapphire HD5770 1GB
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.20GHz
Mobo: MSI 770-G45
RAM: Corsair Dominator 4GB (2x2GB), 1600 Mhz
PSU: CMPSU-400CX 400W
Case: Floston Topsider
Monitor: 19" 1280 x 1024 MAX Resolution


First of all, I'm wondering if I would benefit from a more powerful Graphics Card considering the low resolution of my monitor. As far as I'm aware, for such low res, you don't need much. Note that I don't plan on getting a bigger monitor, so for a start, please answer if I should even bother with another Card. If I COULD benefit from another, please recommend one that would give me as much as possible on this monitor and nothing more (no point going overboard with money when there's no improvement in performance).

Second, I'm noticing more and more that 4GB of RAM isn't enough. I want a recommendation for 8GB RAM. Should I get a single stick or two? Does the number of sticks even matter?

What about the CPU? I think it's good enough to not bottleneck the Graphics Card. What do you guys think?

Please consider if your recommended Graphics Card would fit in my case and if my PSU needs to be changed.

Lastly, my budget would be about 220 $. This is only for RAM and the Graphics Card. If my CPU needs changing as well, then I will have to pass up this upgrade until I get a whole new rig.

Thanks.

 

[Vic 40]

Maybe tell people what games you play.What are your problems with your games when you play them?

A newer and better gpu should always improve game performance imo.

With older games and nothing much else open when gaming should even 4gb of ram be enough.With DDR4 getting used now and wanting to upgrade in a "few years" maybe leave it as is.
With upgrading ram and it being DDR3 you best would get 2x4gb and sell the current.With adding you might run into problems,but maybe you could be lucky.Look at the memory part of the forum,there are enough examples of that.

 

[hornet07]

The games I play are RTS, FPS, RPG, pretty much every kind except sports and horror. I'm having trouble with Fallout 3, though that is because the game is so poorly optimized. LA Noir and GTA IV don't really work too well on MAX, and I draw the line at this point. I haven't tried any newer AAA games. So I'll ask again, as you never answered. What GPU would offer more power for my small resolution monitor?

RAM-wise, I never intended to add over my current ones. I will definitely sell them. I was asking if a stick would be better than multiple ones.

 

[Vic 40]

For a gpu recommendation is it good to know which budget you're looking at.You're psu is a limiting factor so the gtx 750 ti comes to mind,maybe the gtx 960.

Ram wise is two sticks better,it gives dualchannel which should give a few percent of extra performance.

 

[hornet07]

Not the first time I've heard about 750 Ti being a good choice with limited budget. I think I'll pick that.

Thank you.

 

[Vic 40]

You're welcome.😀