Enhance your setup, upgrade or start fresh?
Enhance your setup, upgrade or start fresh?
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.
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System Information
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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® Core™ 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.
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DirectX Debug Levels
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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)
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Display Devices
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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:
The situation is actually improved when it comes to holding companies accountable for poor PC makers. If you're looking for a high-quality new PC from a reputable brand, Starforge systems is a good choice. What is your budget? Would you think about assembling your own PC? It's simpler than before and you can save a significant amount compared to professional builders. Are you close to a Microcenter? You can choose the components you want and have them built for you at a reasonable cost, typically between 100 and 200 dollars. What is your overall budget?
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.
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/cy...n-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.
Initially, organize your post to display the components you currently own.
Many people avoid going through the small details of your list.
Include the make and model of each part, as well as the PSU.
Are you facing any issues when launching your games or applications?
Do you have a budget in mind?
What is the size of your C drive? Is it nearly full?
Searching online reveals these basic requirements:
Minimum 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
Additional Notes:
The application needs a 64-bit processor and operating system.
An SSD is advised for better performance.
It might need more than 55 GB of free space.
Development was done by a small team, so optimization could be a priority.
It seems you should be able to run the game.
Proceed with purchasing it and testing it out.
You’ll get a clearer idea of whether you need improved performance or funds.
Cyberpower pre builts aren’t popular here, mainly due to limited affordable power supplies.
Once the game starts, try this simple test:
Run your own games but lower the resolution and graphical effects.
This can help the graphics card perform better.
If your FPS improves, it suggests your CPU is capable of handling a higher graphics setup.
Alternatively, if your CPU is limited, upgrading to an I7-9700K might be necessary.
A more powerful CPU would need a different motherboard.
Life isn’t worth having a slow computer.
By the way, I’m 86 years old.
Even beyond computer components, very few items are designed to endure or can be economically repaired anymore. This reflects the current reality of retail. Nonetheless, there have always been sellers attempting to exploit buyers who lack knowledge or understanding. This practice has existed since the term 'snake oil' was first introduced and may have had a different name before.
Is this the sole game you're engaging with or planning to play?
Where are you making your purchases from?