[SOLVED] Upgrading my 8 - 9 year old pc

[PinesJ]

Hello!


I just got back to gaming after a few years, and not surprisingly, my computer can't run games with satisfying performance. I would like to make it as cheap as possible, so I'll probably buy a used graphic cards. Apart from gpu, I don't know what would need an upgrade, or if it's needed at all.

I don't know what specs you need to see, so I'll just list what I know
Motherboard: ASUS Sabertooth x58 (LGA1366)
CPU: Intel i7 960 @ 3.2GHz
GPU: Asus HD 6970 DirectCU II 2GB
RAM: 6GB triple-channel DDR3 @ 534MHz
Power supply: 850W
CPU fan : Noctua NF-P14

What is the best graphic card I can get with that CPU? Should I keep it, overclock it or just get a new one?

Thank you!

 

[feelinfroggy777]

I would not put any money on that platform as it is pretty old. If you are on a tight budget, I would consider getting a GPU as a new platform will cost more. I dont know where you live, but you can get RX 580's for pretty cheap these days and it would be a big bump from the 6970.

When you get a little bit more money, I would look at a new platform. This would be a decent budget CPU/RAM/Mobo. Throw in a SSD with the 580 and you will have a decent rig.

PCPartPicker part list: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/RRTrBb
Price breakdown by merchant: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/RRTrBb/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 3 2200G 3.5 GHz Quad-Core Processor ($91.99 @ Walmart)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team - Vulcan 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($59.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Crucial - MX500 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($67.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor - Radeon RX 580 8 GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg Business)
Total: $459.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-12 11:17 EST-0500

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($164.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.99 @ Newegg Business)
Video Card: Gigabyte - Radeon RX 580 8 GB Gaming 8G Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $567.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-12 11:29 EST-0500

 

[feelinfroggy777]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD - Ryzen 5 2600 3.4 GHz 6-Core Processor ($164.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock - B450M PRO4 Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill - Aegis 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3000 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung - 860 Evo 500 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($77.99 @ Newegg Business)
Video Card: Gigabyte - Radeon RX 580 8 GB Gaming 8G Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $567.95
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2019-02-12 11:29 EST-0500

I did not see that RAM. $84 is a good price for 16gb of RAM. Looks like we are finally getting back to where we were in 2016 before RAM went through the roof.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I still want it lower , overpriced.

 

[mgallo848]

I agree with Froggy. Get a new GPU like the RX 580 first. That would be a huge bump in performance (more than double) from the 6970.

Then upgrade the CPU/mobo/memory when you can.

 

[DSzymborski]

Providing an actual budget would be extremely helpful, so that people don't have to blindly guess what your budget is.

 

[william p]

There are some considerable upgrade paths for what you already have. It's one of the best overclocking platforms.
There are 6 core 12 thread Xeons for that , Some are inexpensive, some with unlocked multipliers that make overclocking easier.
The 3 channel DDR3 RAM can go up to 48GB. Speed varies with CPU, and overclocking method. You already own the most expensive part. The ASUS Sabertooth MB. CPU and RAM upgrade, and whatever you can afford on a newer GPU.
Here are the builds for that. You can see the CPU scores going into the high 80% range.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Asus-SABERTOOTH-X58/2982

View: https://youtu.be/skV9exEDM3w

View: https://youtu.be/VMbUXKsMKKA

 

[PinesJ]

Providing an actual budget would be extremely helpful, so that people don't have to blindly guess what your budget is.

Im thinking around 200$

There are some considerable upgrade paths for what you already have. It's one of the best overclocking platforms.
There are 6 core 12 thread Xeons for that , Some are inexpensive, some with unlocked multipliers that make overclocking easier.
The 3 channel DDR3 RAM can go up to 48GB. Speed varies with CPU, and overclocking method. You already own the most expensive part. The ASUS Sabertooth MB. CPU and RAM upgrade, and whatever you can afford on a newer GPU.
Here are the builds for that. You can see the CPU scores going into the high 80% range.
https://www.userbenchmark.com/System/Asus-SABERTOOTH-X58/2982

View: https://youtu.be/skV9exEDM3w

View: https://youtu.be/VMbUXKsMKKA

That's really helpful. Thank you!