Build Advice Upgrade my current PC, or a new build ?

[bearcat2244]

Thank you for being patient and kind.





Below are details about my current computer. I have zero technical knowledge or skill. The only


thing I've ever done is install extra RAM into a computer.

My question is, should I upgrade this machine, or buy a new one?


My perception is that everything is total JUNK now. All reviews of every physical thing say horrible things like "It broke one day after the return period" or "it would cost more to ship it back for warranty service than it cost to buy", etc.


I'm age 62. When I was younger, you could go down to Sears, and buy a Craftsman tool or a Kenmore appliance and you knew it would be totally reliable and last for decades. Even before Covid, everything seems to have turned to excrement.


When did style become more important than reliability? What companies put all their money into QUALITY instead of LYING MARKETING SCAMS? Do any honest companies exist any more? Is the concept of integrity, of work ethic, totally dead now?


My sole income is social security 1200 a month. I'm willing to pay a lot for parts, or for a new machine, but I don't want to get ripped off. It seems with parts, everything snowballs incredibly fast: if you put in that part, you ALSO have to upgrade six other parts, or it's pointless....that's the impression I get.

I came here because "Can You Run It" site says I can't run the game called Clair Obscur, gifted me by a friend.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 6/14/2025, 03:27:15
Machine name: DESKTOP-G6RRQI5
Machine Id: {7D6FC6FC-17A1-4AF9-BECC-4721DCE9CA70}
Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64-bit (10.0, Build 19045) (19041.vb_release.191206-1406)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: CyberPowerPC
System Model: C Series
BIOS: P4.20 (type: UEFI)
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-9400F CPU @ 2.90GHz (6 CPUs), ~2.9GHz
Memory: 32768MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 32684MB RAM
Page File: 23462MB used, 37825MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 12
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 288 DPI (300 percent)
System DPI Setting: 288 DPI (300 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: UnKnown
Miracast: Available, no HDCP
Microsoft Graphics Hybrid: Not Supported
DirectX Database Version: 1.0.8
DxDiag Version: 10.00.19041.5794 64bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Sound Tab 4: No problems found.
Sound Tab 5: No problems found.
Sound Tab 6: No problems found.
Sound Tab 7: No problems found.
Sound Tab 8: No problems found.
Sound Tab 9: No problems found.
Sound Tab 10: No problems found.
Sound Tab 11: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Type: Full Device (POST)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_2184&SUBSYS_1351196E&REV_A1
Device Status: 0180200A [DN_DRIVER_LOADED|DN_STARTED|DN_DISABLEABLE|DN_NT_ENUMERATOR|DN_NT_DRIVER]
Device Problem Code: No Problem
Driver Problem Code: Unknown
Display Memory: 22322 MB
Dedicated Memory: 5980 MB
Shared Memory: 16342 MB
Current Mode: 3840 x 2160 (32 bit) (30Hz)
HDR Support: Supported
Display Topology: Internal
Display Color Space: DXGI_COLOR_SPACE_RGB_FULL_G22_NONE_P709
Color Primaries: Red(0.619141,0.326172), Green(0.311523,0.621094), Blue(0.155273,0.058594), White Point(0.313477,0.329102)
Display Luminance: Min Luminance = 0.010000, Max Luminance = 1499.000000, MaxFullFrameLuminance = 799.000000
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: 55S41R
Monitor Id: TCL0000
Native Mode: 3840 x 2160(p) (60.000Hz)
Output Type: HDMI
Monitor Capabilities: HDR Supported (BT2020RGB BT2020YCC Eotf2084Supported )
Display Pixel Format: DISPLAYCONFIG_PIXELFORMAT_32BPP
Advanced Color: AdvancedColorSupported
Driver Name: C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_f52c4b8723f8dd33\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_f52c4b8723f8dd33\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_f52c4b8723f8dd33\nvldumdx.dll,C:\WINDOWS\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\nv_dispig.inf_amd64_f52c4b8723f8dd33\nvldumdx.dll
Driver File Version: 31.00.0015.2756 (English)
Driver Version: 31.0.15.2756
DDI Version: 12
Feature Levels: 12_1,12_0,11_1,11_0,10_1,10_0,9_3,9_2,9_1
Driver Model: WDDM 2.7
Hardware Scheduling: Supported:True Enabled:True
Graphics Preemption: Pixel
Compute Preemption: Dispatch
Miracast: Not Supported
Detachable GPU: No
Hybrid Graphics GPU: Not Supported
Power P-states: Not Supported
Virtualization: Paravirtualization
Block List: No Blocks
Catalog Attributes: Universal:False Declarative:True
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/4/2022 8:00:00 PM, 772528 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: Unknown
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-62C4-11CF-1A70-5E330EC2D235}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x2184
SubSys ID: 0x1351196E
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem25.inf:0f066de38e81edd2:Section055:31.0.15.2756😛ci\ven_10de&dev_2184
Rank Of Driver: 00CF2001
Video Accel:

 

[LOGAN54321]

( I am not a gamer)
In my opinion you should install the game, and adjust settings to lower quality, see what happens, and go from there. And of course "report" here how it went 🙂 .

 

[helper800]

Thank you for being patient and kind.





Below are details about my current computer. I have zero technical knowledge or skill. The only


thing I've ever done is install extra RAM into a computer.

My question is, should I upgrade this machine, or buy a new one?


My perception is that everything is total JUNK now. All reviews of every physical thing say horrible things like "It broke one day after the return period" or "it would cost more to ship it back for warranty service than it cost to buy", etc.


I'm age 62. When I was younger, you could go down to Sears, and buy a Craftsman tool or a Kenmore appliance and you knew it would be totally reliable and last for decades. Even before Covid, everything seems to have turned to excrement.


When did style become more important than reliability? What companies put all their money into QUALITY instead of LYING MARKETING SCAMS? Do any honest companies exist any more? Is the concept of integrity, of work ethic, totally dead now?


My sole income is social security 1200 a month. I'm willing to pay a lot for parts, or for a new machine, but I don't want to get ripped off. It seems with parts, everything snowballs incredibly fast: if you put in that part, you ALSO have to upgrade six other parts, or it's pointless....that's the impression I get.

I came here because "Can You Run It" site says I can't run the game called Clair Obscur, gifted me by a friend.

Things are actually better than they ever have been as far as accountability for bad companies that make PCs. If you want a well made new PC by a good company, I recommend Starforge systems. What is your budget? Would you consider parting together a PC yourself? It is easier than ever to build your own PC and you can save a fair bit compared to decent PC building companies. Are you near a Microcenter? You can pick out all the parts you want and have them build it for you for a modest fee, usually 100-200 dollars. What is your total budget?

 

[Misgar]

I'm age 62.

A mere youngster. Age is no impediment. I know someone who's still using Adobe Lightroom on a bunch of desktop PCs at the age of 98.

I can't run the game called Clair Obscur

Is it Clair Obscur Expedition 33 which seems to be the latest version?

You can check out the Minimum requirements for a new computer here, but it's better to pay more and follow the Recommended spec.

https://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri/requirements/clair-obscur-expedition-33/25593

Minimum spec:

• CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
• RAM: 8 GB
• VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti 8GB / AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB / Intel Arc A580 8GB
• DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 8192 MB
• OS: Windows 10
• SHADER MODEL VERSION: 6.0
• FREE DISK SPACE: 55 GB

Recommended spec;

• CPU: Intel Core i7-11700K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
• RAM: 16 GB
• VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 8 GB / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT 16 GB
• DEDICATED VIDEO RAM: 8 GB (AMD 16GB)
• OS: Windows 11
• SHADER MODEL VERSION: 6.0
• FREE DISK SPACE: 55 GB

Your i5-9400F is a bit too slow for Clair Obscur 33, given the minimum spec is the faster i7-9700K and the recommended i7-11700K.

You might be able to upgrade your motherboard with an i7-9700K (it's the same Generation as your i5-9400K, but a lot depends on the quality of your motherboard's Voltage Regulator Modules and BIOS compatibility.

Similarly your GTX 1660 graphics card is getting too slow for modern games. The pace of game development requires faster and faster cards.

As with the CPU, it might be possible to upgrade your GTX 1660 to something more modern, if your PSU can cope with the extra power demands of a faster GPU.

I'm sure the kind folk on Tom's will offer suggestions if you tell them your budget (I'm not a gamer).

Unfortunately a GTX 3070 (Recommnded) will probably be too expensive, but an older GTX 2000 series or even older GTX 1000 series might be affordable.

 

[geofelt]

First of all, clean up your post to list your current parts.
Many will not wade through the minutae of your list.
Make/model of your parts including case and psu.
Are you having any difficulty running your games or apps right now?
Do you have a budget?
What is your C drive? How full is it?
Google search shows these requirements:
inimum System Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 6 GB, AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT 6 GB, or Intel Arc A380 6 GB
• DirectX: Version 12

Recommended System Requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 11
• Processor: Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 55 GB available space

Other Notes:

• The game requires a 64-bit processor and operating system.
• 
  
• An SSD is recommended for optimal performance.
  
  
• 
  
• The game may require more than 55 GB of available storage.
  
  
• 
  
• The game is made by a small team, so optimization may be a point of focus.

Looks to me like you can run the game.
Go ahead and buy it and try it out.
You can better then determine is you want better performance and can afford it.

Cyberpower pre builts are not much favored on these forums.
Mostly because of minimal cheap power supplies.

When you get the game running, try this 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.

OTOH, if you are cpu limited, a easy cpu upgrade might be a I7-9700K
Anything stronger will require a different motherboard.
Life is too short to have a slow pc.
FWIW, I am 86.

 

[punkncat]

Even outside of PC parts, very few things are "built to last" anymore or be economically feasible to repair. This is, sadly, the state of retail at this point. With that said, there have always been retailers/sellers out there trying to take advantage of uneducated or uninformed buyers. That has been going on as long as the term 'snake oil' was coined and probably just called something else beforehand.

Is this game the only one you are playing or planning to play?

Where are you shopping from?

Putting money into a system with a 9th gen midrange Intel CPU and a low/mid card like a 1660 is a fool errand IMO. As you say yourself, there will be other aspects needing updated for it to be meaningful or even work correctly. Without making commentary on the financial restraint you face, it may be more economical to consider a gaming console if there are very few mainstream titles you are looking to play. If it is just the one game that makes even less sense. As suggested above, it is probably a good idea to load in the game and see what happens.