s about improving your system's performance
s about improving your system's performance
I recently discovered an old computer that I plan to upgrade. My main priority is the RAM, and here are some of my concerns. Regarding my specifications, motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro4 (probably correct, as it seems to have an LGA1150 socket, four RAM slots, and is made by ASRock). CPU: Pentium G3220 3.0GHz, 2 cores, 2 threads. RAM: 2GB DDR3 1333 MHz from an unknown manufacturer. OS: Windows 10 32-bit. My questions are: Should I mix RAM brands? Is it possible to upgrade to a 4GB stick instead of the current 2GB? (total 4+2). Will everything remain DDR3 and 1333 MHz? Will dual-channel still work? How will adding more RAM affect web browsing, gaming (CS:GO, Minecraft, etc.), FPS, and performance in games like CS:GO or Rocket League? Also, how much will it improve boot times for Windows and other games? Off-topic: What GPU should I consider? (I’m not sure if this matters much since the board supports PCIe 3.0, but I only need it for casual games.)
4gb of RAM makes a big difference—running mixed settings can be tricky, but it should run smoothly in theory. Major prebuilt systems handle it without major problems. Still, DDR3 is very affordable on eBay, so going for 2x4gb might be smart. I’ve seen used kits under $10. Just ensure you get a 64-bit Windows version; 32-bit won’t support more than 2gb. The biggest speed boost comes from using an SSD instead of a hard drive, which also improves boot times and responsiveness. Most GPUs will struggle if the CPU is weak, especially in lighter games. I’d suggest picking an old i5 or xeon e3 for a balanced upgrade.
I just verified the list and it confirms support for all e3-12xx v3 CPUs. Of these, the 122x model matches 4th gen i5s in performance, while 123x and higher will be closer to i7s. Within those groups, the variation between chips isn’t huge—top models of the i7 lineup differ by around 10%. These processors should comfortably run a mid-range GPU, likely up to the 1050ti-1060 range, though the best GPU choice mainly depends on your system’s compatibility and power supply.