My computer is performing badly when playing games. Is this normal?
My computer is performing badly when playing games. Is this normal?
Five years ago, I constructed my initial gaming PC with a substantial investment, though limited by my high school budget. The original system performed exceptionally well, achieving approximately 300 frames per second on numerous games like Battlefield 3 and 4. Currently, my system struggles to run Apex Legends effectively, requiring settings reduced to Medium or Low for playable frame rates. I am considering a factory reset as a potential solution, but uncertain about the best course of action.
My system specifications are as follows: Processor: Intel Core i5-4570 @ 3.2 GHz (Quad Core), RAM: 8GB, Operating System: Windows 10 Home 64 bit, Graphics Card: GTX 760 2GB, Storage: 1TB HDD and 120GB SSD.
[Screenshot of game running in background] https://gyazo(dot)com/aadc5368dd11fb8a98843ccb5ae27761
I recently updated my GPU and CPU drivers yesterday, verifying that they were the latest versions. What are potential reasons for my inability to run modern games? Is it due to outdated hardware?
When the GTX 760 was released, current-generation consoles were not yet available. Graphics cards have increased in speed and games have become more demanding, rendering the GTX 760 practically obsolete for gaming today. At 1080p resolution, a faster graphics card is needed to run recent games at high settings. The Radeon RX 570, costing approximately $130-$140 in the US online, can deliver substantially higher frame rates at high settings, often nearly doubling FPS when not limited by CPU performance. The i5-4570 remains reasonably capable due to minimal improvements in single-core performance, although mid-range core counts...
When the GTX 760 was released, current-generation consoles were yet to appear. Graphics cards have advanced considerably since then, and games require more processing power, rendering the GTX 760 effectively a low-end option for gaming presently. At 1080p resolution, achieving high settings in recent games necessitates a more powerful graphics card. A Radeon RX 570, typically priced around $130-$140 in the US, consistently delivers significantly higher frame rates at high settings, often nearly doubling FPS when CPU limitations aren't a factor. The i5-4570 remains moderately effective due to limited per-core performance improvements, although mid-range CPU core counts have increased. Most games still perform adequately on a quad-core processor. While 8GB of RAM is preferable for some newer games, it may be sufficient in many titles currently, with 16GB becoming increasingly desirable. Overall, a graphics card upgrade would provide the most substantial benefit to this system, targeting performance levels similar to an RX 570, RX 580 or GTX 1060. These cards are several years old, and newer options are now being released, making an examination of available choices worthwhile.
I felt it was time for an upgrade. Please evaluate this build: https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/list/kDkWq4
The build appears solid, but avoid purchasing a new GTX 1070 currently. A newer generation of graphics cards is imminent, and the supply of GTX 1070s is diminishing, resulting in unfavorable pricing. Nvidia recently released the GTX 1660 Ti, providing performance equivalent to a 1070 at a lower cost. Alternatively, the RTX 2060 delivers performance comparable to a 1070 Ti and includes ray-traced lighting effects, though these require significant performance reductions.
Upgrade your graphics card and other components will function adequately.
I intend to upgrade within six months, and I hope the price of the 2060 decreases further. Thank you for your assistance.
Your build is outdated. Consider a used 1070 for around half the price of a new one—the 1660Ti is a better choice currently. New versions will be available soon, offering significantly better prices in six months. An i5 processor works well with GTX 1080 or RTX cards, but you could save money by opting for a cheaper i5 8xxx, particularly if you choose a 1660Ti.