Optimize your Advicebest budget for enhanced streaming console gaming experiences.
Optimize your Advicebest budget for enhanced streaming console gaming experiences.
Hey everyone! I just got my old computer back online and it’s starting to work again. It wasn’t even able to run games five years ago, but after finding my old capture card, I thought I’d use it mainly for managing the stream instead of playing on it—something it can handle quite well. Now, though, I’m planning to add a VTuber model, which is much more demanding than before, so I’m thinking about upgrading my setup. My computer skills are only very basic, so I’m aware of possible improvements but not sure if they’ll fit with my current system or if other parts need changes too.
I have a Gigabyte F2A78M-HD2 motherboard, an AMD A8-7650K Radeon R7 CPU, an AMD Radeon R7 graphics card, a Corsair CX-600 power supply, a 1TB HHD (still unsure which one), and an Adata SU800 256GB SSD with Windows 10 installed. PRISMliveStudio says my graphics card doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, so I’m considering upgrading it—possibly to the Gigabyte GTX 1060 6GB Windforce, given my budget constraints—but I’m not sure if that would work well or if other components need changes.
I’ve also noticed in PRISM that CPU usage has reached as high as 60%, which is unclear whether that’s a good or bad sign. Regardless, I plan to add another 8GB of storage or more RAM, as I know those upgrades usually help. Ideally, I’d like to be able to run games too, but since I’m on a budget, I’ll have to wait until Christmas to get the funds (I expect around £300-400 GBP). So I’m okay with continuing to use my Xbox Series X for gaming until I have a steady income flow.
With all that in mind, I really appreciate any advice you can offer—I’m sure I’ll make mistakes if I try to fix this on my own. Thanks a lot!
It works well with your MoBo if you upgrade your PSU. The Corsair CX-600 is outdated and of low quality, barely meeting expectations. By the way, the GTX 1660 Super offers better performance at a lower cost compared to the GTX 1060 6GB. PC part link: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product...-x...ntus-xs-oc For reliable PSUs, consider Seasonic Focus or Corsair RMx/RMi models in the 550W range. All three of my PCs are also powered by Seasonic, with full specs and pictures in my profile. For example, the Seasonic Focus GX-550 can be found here: https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/product...d-...cus-gx-550 If you stick with the PSU, upgrading your system won’t make much difference. The CX-600 is likely to fail under increased load, risking damage to your whole setup (including your PC). Adding more RAM doesn’t guarantee success—it’s a 50/50 chance for both sticks to function together. For certainty, purchase a bundle of RAM in a sealed package. Here’s an article clarifying why the odds are even: https://forums.
first, thanks for the advice;
so okay definitely the PSU first, ill look into the ones you mentioned. Are those just more modern equivalents of the same wattage? I do want to slowly upgrade it all eventually so maybe a higher wattage one would save me from having to upgrade again after a while? But maybe that's not how it works idk. id probably go for a second hand one too unless there's a reason buying brand new is better.
I'm also surprised I didn't know that about getting matching RAM so I may just go for 2 x 16gb since ill be replacing the old 8gb anyway and I know it'll work.
I was aware that some upgrades aren't worth it without others but didn't realise it could actually damage the others. You, my friend, may have just saved my PC. I seriously appreciate it : )
In the same wattage ballpark - yes. Comparable to CX-600 - nowhere near it. PSUs have different levels of build quality; crap quality - usually no-name Chinese units. Bulk of PSUs out there are crap. low quality - a bit better than crap quality, but still nowhere near to be used in a PC. E.g Corsair VS or CX (green label). mediocre quality - only good to be used in an office PC, that doesn't have dedicated GPU in it. E.g Corsair CXm, Seasonic Core good quality - good option for PCs, including gaming PCs. E.g Corsair RMi/RMx, Seasonic Focus great quality - best what money can build/buy. E.g Corsair AXi, Seasonic PRIME, Super Flower Leadex Pro I do not suggest anything below good quality PSU for a PC, that has dedicated GPU in it. While great quality PSU is preferred. Either look at what i wrote above, or anything from Tier A will do; PSU tier list: https://forums. Btw, your CX-600 is Tier D. With higher capacity unit, there are 2 downsides; 1. Beefier PSU will cost more. 2. Reduce in PSU's efficiency. PSU is most efficient when the load on it is between 50% and 80% of it's max rated wattage. So, for e.g. 400W load on 650W unit (e.g Seasonic PRIME TX-650 80+ Titanium), would be 61.5%, meaning that the PSU is 96% efficient, where only 4% of power is wasted as excess heat. Whereby PSU draws 416W from the wall, gives 400W to components and wastes only 16W as excess heat. Same 400W load on 1kW PSU (e.g Seasonic PRIME TX-1000 80+ Titanium) would mean that the PSU is 94% efficient, since load on PSU would be 40%. Whereby PSU draws 424W from the wall, gives 400W to components and wastes 24W as excess heat. But if you'd get 1kW 80+ Gold PSU, which is the norm today, efficiency wise (e.g Seasonic PRIME GX-1000 80+ Gold), would mean that on 400W load, PSU is 90% efficient. In this case, PSU pulls 440W from wall, gives 400W to components and wastes 40W as excess heat. NEVER buy used PSU. Thing with used PSUs is, that there's no telling what kind of abuse it has seen and if it even delivers safe voltage ranges, what ATX PSU standard specifies. According to the ATX PSU standard, safe voltage ranges are: +12V DC rail - tolerance ±5%; +11.40V to +12.60V +5V DC rail - tolerance ±5%; +4.75V to +5.25V +3.3V DC rail - tolerance ±5%; +3.14V to +3.47V -12V DC rail - tolerance ±10%; -10.80V to -13.20V +5V SB rail - tolerance ±5%; +4.75V to +5.25V For example; if i'd have a choice between two PSUs; * used Seasonic PRIME TX-650 * new Seasonic Core GM-650 I would go with Seasonic Core, since it is brand new. Sure, it isn't high quality, but used PSU can have far worse quality, than lesser, but brand new PSU. I'm not going to risk my precious hardware with unknown/abused PSU, regardless how great the used PSU is. Also, with used hardware, you do not get warranty with it. When RAM DIMMs are made, they are tested with each other by manufacturer and those sticks that get along well are put into sets. First set to be made is the set of 8x RAM sticks and sold as 8x RAM sticks in a set. If the set of 8 doesn't work, it's divided into half which makes up two sets of 4. If the 4x RAM sticks do work together, the are sold as 4x RAM sticks in a set. But if the set of 4 doesn't work, it's again divided into half, making two sets of 2. Two RAM sticks that work well with each other are sold as 2x RAM sticks in a set. Those RAM sticks that doesn't want to work together at all, are sold as single RAM sticks.