Suggestions to improve Ultra-low budget grandpa games in 1080P
Suggestions to improve Ultra-low budget grandpa games in 1080P
Very limited budget upgrade aimed at ultra settings 1080p in the near future. Currently in a nursing home with only about a dollar per day for personal expenses, my available funds stand at $300. I’m open to delaying this if a superior system becomes accessible with a bit more money.
Your PSU will need to be replaced.
What kind of applications or games will you be running on the system?
In my opinion, you're likely setting up a brand new PC from scratch, while keeping the existing storage. Modern motherboards usually include WiFi and Bluetooth, which means your adapter is taking up an unnecessary USB port. Your case looks quite old, featuring USB 2.0 and HD audio connections.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600X 3.7 GHz 6-Core Processor
($130.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock B550M-HDV Micro ATX AM4 Motherboard
($74.98 @ Amazon)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Force Vulcan Z 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR4-3600 CL18 Memory
($54.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $259.97
Includes shipping, taxes, and any available discounts
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2024-08-15 19:55 EDT-0400
^ Compatible with AM4 platform.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7600 3.8 GHz 6-Core Processor
($182.16 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte B650M D3HP AX Micro ATX AM5 Motherboard
($129.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: TEAMGROUP T-Create Expert 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL38 Memory
($85.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $398.14
Includes shipping, taxes, and any available discounts
Generated by
PCPartPicker
2024-08-15 20:00 EDT-0400
This isn't fixed, but I’d consider investing more and constructing a new system from the ground up with a suitable PSU, M.2 storage, and a matching chassis.
I was worried about that.
The Modded Mass Effect Legendary remains the newest title where my CPU consistently stayed at 99-100%.
I continued playing through it, enjoying solid frame rates, though maintaining stable CPU performance even at manageable temperatures was not ideal.
Given the limited budget, the most cost-effective option seems to be a GTX 1070. It requires only one 6 pin PCI-E wire, and you might find them for around $60.00 on the right day. Regarding the AMD CPU, the main issue I've noticed is slower game loading times, though performance improves once the game starts. Being in your location could be very helpful if you need assistance locating parts.
It might be worth looking for a full machine on the used market. Platforms like Facebook Marketplace often offer good local deals. Many items on eBay are priced too high for their value.
Your equipment is quite old. I don’t usually sell anything, but I’ve discarded better options than yours. I believe you could find something much more suitable for $300. You might also consider purchasing just the CPU, motherboard, or memory—someone else may have upgraded their setup.
However, being in a nursing home could limit your choices unless the seller brings it to you.
Yeah, anything I get will need to be delivered in some fashion. I have been in this bed/room for over a year so I won't be getting anything at the local swap meet. LoL
Try this basic check:
Play your games, but reduce the resolution and visual effects.
This helps the graphics card perform slightly better.
If your FPS improves, it shows your CPU can handle a better graphics setup.
If your FPS remains unchanged, you’re likely CPU-bound.
I’m sure your FX processor is the main constraint.
Upgrading to the FX-6350 would be a small step, but it might need a better motherboard for optimal performance.
You can purchase an i3-12100 about three times faster for $115,
16GB of DDR4 RAM could cost around $30,
and an LGA1200 motherboard might be $120.
Search for these parts on Amazon.