Seeking assistance with enhancing my computer for playing video games.
Seeking assistance with enhancing my computer for playing video games.
Hello everyone,
Although I’m relatively new to this online community, I've frequently used it as a primary resource for discovering product reviews and solutions. Please accept my heartfelt congratulations on your contributions!
I’m hoping you can offer guidance regarding upgrading my gaming PC, with a budget ranging from 500 to 1000 euros (USD is also acceptable). Will this investment realistically lead to a substantial performance boost? Could you suggest specific components that I should consider purchasing? (I suspect my processor is somewhat outdated.) Please detail the advantages gained by incorporating new parts, such as increased frames per second, reduced loading durations, and overall enhanced performance.
If I were to prioritize either upgrading my CPU or GPU, which would you advise?
I primarily enjoy playing first-person shooters like PUBG, CSGO, Destiny 2, and World of Warcraft. However, I also appreciate spending time in expansive open-world games at maximum visual settings.
Here are my current specifications:
Operating System: Windows 10 x64
Motherboard: MSI Z170A Gaming Pro Carbon
Processor: Intel i7-6700k
Graphics Card: Nvidia GTX 1070
Monitor 1: ASUS ROG Swift PG279Q
Monitor 2: Benq GW2760s
Memory: 2 x 16GB CRUCIAL BALLASTIX DDR4 2400
Solid State Drive: Samsung 250GB Evo
Hard Disk Drive: WD 2TB Blue SATA
Power Supply Unit: Corsair CX750M
Cooler: Phanteks TC 14S Black
Case: Phanteks Eclipse P400
Thank you for your insights – I look forward to hearing from you.
Your hardware is adequate. If you're encountering problems with frame rates, the cause might be inefficient game performance or excessive activity from your computer’s processor. Nevertheless, in contrast to many users on this forum, I believe a CPU upgrade would be beneficial. Current games are increasingly relying on six processing cores and require significantly more computing power than in the past. I suggest investing in a 6-core processor, such as the i7-8700K. My advice extends beyond gaming performance; it’s important to remember that Windows constantly runs processes in the background, and a greater number of cores/threads can help minimize distractions from these system activities, as well as reduce the impact of other applications operating simultaneously. Although four cores may be enough for many users, I consider it a bare minimum…
The computer specifications you provided meet all the demands of the games you mentioned. *Destiny 2* is likely to require the most processing power from your system, and even then it only needs a GTX 970 and an i5-2400, which are listed as suggested specifications rather than the bare minimum. Your processor should comfortably run those types of games.
Which titles are showing issues with performance, and what kind of problems are you experiencing?
Thank you for your response, Frag Maniac.
I don't have any major issues—it’s just that I occasionally experience frame rate dips when using the highest settings. Additionally, I have some extra money and was wondering if you could suggest a hardware upgrade during Black Friday sales. What component would you recommend improving in my system, considering my budget?
Thank you once more.
Frag Maniac is accurate. Due to your display's 1440p at 165Hz capabilities, there’s potential for a performance increase, though it will require significant investment. Maintaining your existing processor is advisable; it’s suitable for 1440p gaming. An RTX 2080 would provide a notable FPS enhancement if you’re willing to spend. Trading in your current graphics card would further assist with this upgrade.
PCPartPicker component list:
/
Cost estimation by retailer
Graphics Card:
Gigabyte - GeForce RTX 2080 8 GB GAMING OC Video Card
($749.99 @ Newegg)
Total:
$749.99
Prices incorporate shipping, taxes, and promotions as applicable
Created by PCPartPicker on 2018-11-21 16:05 EST-0500
I occasionally experience frame rate fluctuations when using maximum graphics settings. Could you provide more details? What’s the lowest FPS you're seeing, and how long does it persist at that level? What’s your average FPS? If you're utilizing Vsync or a frame rate limiter, are you generally seeing consistent performance at 60 frames per second?
When these dips occur, do you experience pauses, jerky movements, or delayed responsiveness? Certain games exhibit this behavior even with powerful hardware. My goal is to determine if a hardware issue exists, so we can avoid unnecessary equipment purchases.
Furthermore, please check for potential problems related to maintenance or external software. Ensure your hard drives are regularly defragmented and that at least 15% of their capacity remains free. Also, perform routine malware scans and disable any running programs that might be interfering with performance during gaming sessions.
Dear sender,
It’s not a significant issue at all; the games run without problems. I was considering upgrading my central processing unit, as it seems somewhat old with only four cores (though I may be mistaken since I’m relatively new to hardware).
Additionally, will my current configuration successfully manage both gaming and streaming simultaneously?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Your hardware configuration appears suitable. If you're encountering performance problems with frame rates, the problem might stem from inefficient game coding or excessive activity from other programs on your computer. However, I believe you could improve things by upgrading your central processing unit (CPU). Many current games now require six cores, and they demand more processing power than previous titles. I suggest considering a 6-core processor like the i7-8700K.
I advocate for six cores not solely because of their greater number, but also because Windows continuously operates in the background. Increased core counts help reduce distracting system activity and improve overall performance, even with other applications running simultaneously. While four cores might be adequate for average users, I view it as a bare minimum – six cores would be my advised choice.
Yes, upgrading your motherboard would likely be necessary to accommodate a newer CPU. There are several affordable Z370 motherboards available for approximately $100. The i7-8700K would add another $350 to the total cost. If you aren’t prepared for that investment, explore ways to optimize your system from within.
- Solid State Drive (SSD) maintenance: Enable TRIM, defragment your Hard Disk Drive
- Power Settings: Select High Performance or Maximum Performance mode.
- System Configuration: Set Performance to the highest level (be aware that Aero Effects may not significantly improve performance).
- Disk Cleanup: Run the Disk Cleanup utility.
Would you consider overclocking?
Your cooling system should perform adequately. I employ the Hyper 212 Evo and Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound with my setup, allowing me to achieve a 5GHz overclock while maintaining temperatures of 85°C during intense, synthetic testing.