Upgrading nVidia GeForce 8600 GT $250 budget

[NerdCommander]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: No idea, around 2008 or 2009.
BUDGET RANGE: $100 - $250

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: I mostly play CS:GO, but I want to upgrade to be able to play Battlefield 1.

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY:
GPU: nVidia GeForce 8600 GT
PSU: Insignia 400W peak ATX Power Supply

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
CPU: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC M3A (That's all I could find so far, running Linux, it's a bit hard to find that info)
Memory: 3GB
Case cooling: Not sure, not looking for a super card. But I do have 4 internal fans, and one case fan (not including the fan on the PSU).

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:
newegg.com
amazon.com
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

PARTS PREFERENCES: I don't have a major preference, I'm not brand loyal. Whatever is most highly suggested.

OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe (if possible)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 pixels (445x278 millimeters)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Want to be able to run Battlefield 1 and CS:GO on full graphics settings. Great cooling if at all possible.

Any suggestions as to what graphics card to get would also be appreciated.

 

[Dom_79]

Step 1: Read the stickied post about asking for advise about choosing a new GPU.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/290969-33-advice-choosing

After you've given that the once over either come back with all the pertinent information or start a new thread but be sure to follow the proper form and include the required information 😉

 

[Tom Tancredi]

I have a...
nVidia GeForce 8600 GT

...in my computer, looking to upgrade it but I'm new to upgrading the hardware side of computers. I need to figure out what would be compatible with my computer and hopefully not have to upgrade the Motherboard. The computer is older, 2007 maybe.

Any suggestions as to what graphics card to get would also be appreciated.

A) All GPUS for the past 5 or so years require much more power than what is included. So there is your first extra expense.
B) All GPUs for the past 5 years or so that would be recommended would be totally bottlenecked with all the components of your PC.
C) A computer that is a decade old doesn't support the current methods, thus it isn't capable and will not have 'solutions' to 'work around the problem'.
D) If memory serves right, the decade old computers were just at 1GB or so for RAM they can address, modern games start at 8GB commonly. So right off your system isn't "upgradeable" to support gaming.
E)..... Well I could go on... but I think you get the picture. 10 Year old systems are lucky they turn on, they normally wear out parts by 5 years, and each time they 'turn on' is one lucky more time. If you don't have the $700US + to build / prebuilt a PC, then just buy a PS4 for only $200 (refurb at GameStop) and will 10X more powerful and better handling than any frankensteining you might be able to do with that 10 year old system

 

[Eximo]

At nine years of age it probably isn't worth putting much money into either way.

A modern Intel processor's integrated graphics can provide more performance than a 8600GT. So an off the shelf desktop with an i3 or i5 for around $300-400 would leap you into the future.

To get that level of graphics performance, you could purchase something like a GT740, but without a decent CPU to go with it, you won't be able to reap all the benefits.

 

[Tom Tancredi]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: No idea, around 2008 or 2009.

When do YOU approximately wish to PURCHASE these parts i.e. Next week, Next month, Xmas, in 2020???

BUDGET RANGE: $100 - $250

Can't be done at that budget; that is a budget for a CONSOLE. I would shift focus there. Windows along costs $170 as you indicate your running LINUX below and BF1 is a WINDOWS / Console based game

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: I mostly play CS:GO, but I want to upgrade to be able to play Battlefield 1.

Simple GOOGLE search Battlefield 1 System requirements. provides these minimums that it plays at a minimum
1024x768, LOW GRAPHICS, and 15-30FPS

Minimum System Requirements:
OS: 64-bit Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.
Processor (AMD): AMD FX-6350.
Processor (Intel): Core i5 6600K.
Memory: 8GB RAM.
Graphics card (AMD): AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB.
Graphics card (Nvidia): Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 2GB.
DirectX: 11.0 Compatible video card or equivalent.

To play it like I SEEN on YOUTUBE / Commercials requires
OS: 64-bit Windows 10 or later
Processor (AMD): AMD FX 8350 Wraith
Processor (Intel): Intel Core i7 4790 or equivalent
Memory: 16GB RAM
Graphics card (AMD): AMD Radeon RX 480 4GB
Graphics card (Nvidia): Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
DirectX: 11.1 Compatible video card or equivalent
Online Connection Requirements: 512 KBPS or faster Internet connection
Available Disk Space: 50GB

Will you be able to run Battlefield 1 on your PC, or will you focus on consoles?

Battlefield 1 launches for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on October 21, 2016.
Again $200 Refurbed PS4 and your set.

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY:
GPU: nVidia GeForce 8600 GT
PSU: Insignia 400W peak ATX Power Supply
OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS:
CPU: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 5000+
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC M3A (That's all I could find so far, running Linux, it's a bit hard to find that info)
Memory: 3GB
Case cooling: Not sure, not looking for a super card. But I do have 4 internal fans, and one case fan (not including the fan on the PSU).
MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050 pixels (445x278 millimeters)

You can't buy any 'parts' all the components would need to be replaced, aka a NEW total computer. Your system does NOT meet any minimal specification (reason it is running LINUX) and needs a LEGAL copy of Windows installed which is $179 to start with which breaks your budget right off.

 

[Eximo]

Battlefield 1 is a pretty steep challenge (though their minimum system requirements are a bit silly, there is almost no comparison between an i5-6600k and an FX-6350) I think they mean to say you need a contemporary quad core at the least.

A reasonable budget for an entry level gaming build would be around $500 from scratch. If you look at the used market, you could get a little more bang for the buck. Plenty of GTX760 and 960 hitting the market due to GTX1060 and RX480 upgrades.

Not sure where you are getting $179 as a base price for Windows unless you are referring to Pro. Not a requirement for a gamer at all. Home edition is around $90.

Still, there are ways to get a decent computer cheaply:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA60G4KZ0861

Plus:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487024&cm_re=750_ti-_-14-487-024-_-Product

Grand total of $379 and it would be playable at least. Also allow mainstream gaming on a lot of titles that require DX11.

 

[NerdCommander]

So, summery is. Buy a new computer. Lol
So basically, it would be more expensive to upgrade my computer, than to sell it and buy a new one?

Also, all my errors are noted, and I will not make them again next time.

 

[Dom_79]

So, summery is. Buy a new computer. Lol
So basically, it would be more expensive to upgrade my computer, than to sell it and buy a new one?

Also, all my errors are noted, and I will not make them again next time.

Yes, it would be a waste of money to upgrade your current rig, unfortunately that's how PC hardware works 😉

You won't get much $$ for your current rig, so maybe think about keeping it for a backup.

 

[NerdCommander]

Alright, thanks y'all!