PRINT THIS IF UPGRADING.
(I took a long time to start compiling a list of fun games to run on a lower-end system. I had most of this already and copied it in.)
Recommended upgrade path:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9sVkjX
a) Silverstone micro-ATX case
b) 430W ATX power supply
c) GTX750
So I'm recommending to transfer everything over to the new case. Not too difficult, but don't work in a static environment and ground yourself if possible. The case price is further reduced if you consider the slim parts cost a bit more, and of the one card I did like (Galaxy 750Ti) the fan is smaller so would be noticeably NOISIER than the ones I recommend.
*Case has front USB3 (not USB2) ports but I'm pretty sure an adapter cable comes with the case to connect to your USB2 motherboard header.
Different video card:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-gtx750tioc2gd5
*The Asus GTX750Ti can overclock further (after NVidia drivers installed). By roughly 20% more. Will be faster than the GTX750 in some games and in others very similar due to a CPU bottleneck. I do recommend buying the card if possible.
GAMES LISTS:
*There are several GAMES that would run quite well on your system if upgraded to above. You would be affected by the CPU obviously however that VARIES between games on how significant.
STEAM has a number of great games you may like but do a little research. Some DEMOS you can try if you upgrade:
a) Call of Duty 2:
http://www.fileplanet.com/157205/150000/fileinfo/Call-of-Duty-2-Demo-%5BSingle-Player%5D (I just tried it)
b) Torchlight 1 and 2
c) CIV5 (steam demo)
d) Titanquest (steam demo)
e) Magicka (steam demo)
f) Portal first slice (steam demo)
g) Half Life 2 (steam demo)
h) Half Life 1 (and add Black Mesa mod. both through Steam. Demo? Black Mesa big impact)
i) Red Alert 3 (steam demo)
j) company of heroes (steam demo)
k) Bioshock (Steam demo. *Not sure if too demanding but worth trying)
l) Grid 2 (Steam demo)
m) Supreme Commander 2 (Steam demo)
n) World In Conflict (Steam demo, and built-in Benchmark that is great)
o) Trine 1 and 2 (Steam demos; *Can be very demanding so tweak carefully)
p) Tomb Raider series (try whatever you can find)
q) Hitman series demos (try various)
r) Freedom Force 1 and versus 3rd reich (4x3 ratio)
s) LFD1 and 2
t) Rayman Legends
u) World of Goo
v) Deus Ex GOTY (#1)
w) Overlord II
x) CnC 3 (Command and Conquer 3. Great strategy game. Not sure if DEMO but should be same as RA3. Should work great.)
Not sure if demos at Steam or elsewhere, and some not sure of performance:
- Jedi Outcast
- Halo 1, 2
- vampire masquerade bloodlines (4x3; unofficial patch exists)
- Far Cry #1
- Prey #1
- Batman Arkham Asylum (not sure of performance. Don't use PhysX.)
- Prey
- Call of Duty 4 Modern Warfare
- Burnout Paradise (fun car game)
- Morrowind
- Fable the Lost Chapters (looks/runs surprisingly good for the age)
- Hitman series
- *Kingdoms of Amalur Reckoning (DEFINITELY worth trying. Demo exists and if it runs the combat is awesome however you really want an Xbox 360 controller. Not a perfect game, but the combat again is awesome. BAM!)
Older games I do NOT recommend due to low-performance issues:
- Fallout 3, NV, and
- possibly Oblivion, probably Skyrim
- Dragon Age,
- GTA4
SUMMARY:
So again, many of these probably will run fine. There are many more games out there, but also plenty of games that would run horribly. Any modern FPS game probably wouldn't be very great.
So if you install STEAM, then start downloading some of the DEMOS that appeal to you, you'll get a good idea of what you can handle. Many of these games are pretty cheap now and some occasionally are even cheaper on weekly/daily sales.
*So I think you would have a pretty nice gaming system if you spend roughly $200 and upgrade, then carefully choose games that are fun, inexpensive and run well.
Finally, some games work better with an XBOX 360 controller. You can get one for about $35/$40 (wired). If interested don't get a knock-off.
STEAM GAMES other:
You can play your games on a different family PC if you upgrade in the future according to the family rules. You don't even have to download them again. Basically you just reinstall Windows and Steam (preferably Steam to a 2nd HDD with Windows on an SSD). Once Steam is installed, sign in, COPY the entire Steamapps folder over to overwrite the new one and you should be good (may need to VALIDATE each game in Steam, and must copy over any Save game folders unless using same account and game save on the cloud.)