Trying to play GTA5... pausing a lot. Need to upgrade with minimum $$. Got Radeon RX460 so far..

[pkim1230]

Hello,
This is the computer I have now.

AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana Triple-Core 2.9 GHz Socket AM3 95W ADX435WFGIBOX Processor

ASUS M4A77D AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

GIGABYTE Radeon RX 460 WINDFORCE OC 2GB GV-RX460WF2OC-2GD

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBPK


Sometimes I can play GTA5 just fine at low graphics, but nowadays it's been pausing/freezing for short periods during games. I think the CPU is bottlenecking it. i'm posting it in the mobo forum because I figured I'm just gonna have to start from scratch, mobo.
What can I upgrade to get the best bang for the buck upgrade? I don't want to spend more than $250.. If you provide good reason to spend bit more, I'm open to suggestions.
Thanks

 

[Chicken-Select]

You're right about it most likely being a CPU bottle neck issue. GTA5 hates anything under quad core. If you want to stay under budget I'd recommend going for an Intel Core i5-4460. They go for around $180. That'll leave you just enough ($60~) to squeeze and a basic motherboard and since your graphics card is fairly new they should accompany each other nicely. I'd also highly recommend upgrading to 8GB of RAM. DDR3 is getting pretty cheap these days. I can't talk exact parts as I'm at work but I hope this gives you a good idea!

 

[Chicken-Select]

Oops seems I didn't read your original post correctly! You're forced to upgrade ram to DDR3. Didn't see that you had ddr2. You might be put a little over budget but I think it's worth. You could likely sell your current mobo, ram, and cpu to make up for the loss though. I wouldn't go under 8GB.

 

[pkim1230]

You're right about it most likely being a CPU bottle neck issue. GTA5 hates anything under quad core. If you want to stay under budget I'd recommend going for an Intel Core i5-4460. They go for around $180. That'll leave you just enough ($60~) to squeeze and a basic motherboard and since your graphics card is fairly new they should accompany each other nicely. I'd also highly recommend upgrading to 8GB of RAM. DDR3 is getting pretty cheap these days. I can't talk exact parts as I'm at work but I hope this gives you a good idea!

How about this used set? He says he used the CPU for 5 months, and Mobo for 3 months.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128667

Will the above motherboard work with the current cpu cooler I have?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134
This is the current cpu cooler i have. Is it ok to use the intel stock heatsink that comes with the i5 4460 cpu?

 

[pkim1230]

I've upgraded to 4460 as you said and it's smooth as butter now.
Feels like im playing a different game. Thank you.