Why is my computer so bad at gaming compared to others?

[Kirigaya]

Okay, so I've had this computer for about 3 years now, here are the specs

motherboard : gigabyte 880GM-USBL
CPU : Amd fx-4100 quad-core
RAM: 4gb ddr3 sdram pc3-12800
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 7870
PSU: 500 watts

Ever since day one I got my first graphics card, which was the AMD radeon 6450, I realized that it performed like crap, compared to other people with the same exact specs as me (CPU and GPU wise). now that I've upgraded to the HD 7870, I mean.. I can run games better than I used to be able to, but other people with the same specs run games a LOT better than I have been able too, I've upgraded all my drivers, tried changing the settings in catalyst control center to optimize performance, made sure my cpu usage wasn't being eaten up, made sure that my PCI slot was being used in bios, yet.. I've still never got nearly as good performance as other people get. I don't get it, is my motherboard bad? I dont have any viruses/malware, I've checked for that a ton of times, registry is clean, cache is also clean. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH MY PC? Is my cpu shot? Is my power supply unit bad? I just dont understand.. Also, my temperatures are usually low for both the gpu and cpu. Any suggestions on what to do/buy?

 

[i7Baby]

I'm not sure if that CPU is good, but it could also be your PSU, is should be of a good brand, XFX, Seasonic, Antec, and Corsair are just some to name.
Can you tell me what your performance is in games?

Well, performance wise, I get lag in games that I should be able to run easily. I tried playing a game called Tera rising, game ran awfully on the lowest settings, when people who have slightly different specs than me, can run the game on ultra. Do you think the power supply unit would really affect my pc that much?

Dunno about Tera Rising. But maybe you've got something that can be more easily checked eg Metro 2033
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-7870-review-benchmark,3148-7.html

 

[Kirigaya]

Here's a similar thread with a similar problem: http://tera-forums.enmasse.com/forums/general-discussion/topics/Possible-decrease-in-TERA-performance-due-to-using-an-AMD-processor

The FX 4100 is too weak.

I guess amd is trash and im better off with nvidia..

 

[VenBaja]

Wow games run on your gpu primarily, it off loads all that from your cpu. Gpu needs power, ram,and cpu. Your power seems fine, your cpu is working ok, so you need more ram and a better GPU. You cpu is for running computer programs not games. So your other option to: Go to best buy, purchase an open box/clearance computer with a newer CPU and 12 gigs of ram. While u are there buy an Nvidia video card, you don't sound like a crazy gamer so a gtx 750,760 card should suffice, buy a 600 watt PSU with at least 50 total amps on the rail, shouldn't be more than 50 bucks ask the salesman for a gaming psu. You go home rip out the Psu install the new one and the new card and for less than $760.00 youll have a nice future proof/gaming computer!

Seriously this is either a fantastic troll post or you are a complete dunce. Everything you just said is complete fail.

 

[i7Baby]

The FX4100 has been around since at least 2007. Any components more than 5 years old need to go.

 

[Brogan]

I guess amd is trash and im better off with nvidia..

you mean you're better off with Intel (cpu). Nvidia is gpu.

Bro, you need to give more info here. You're frustrated and just wanna get this fixed. But you need to recognize that some of the posters trying to help you know alot more than you, and they need specific info in order to quickly get you where you need to go. Especially when trying to diagnose hardware vs. software (windows, driver) issues.