Upgrading Older System?
By
Father Xmas,
Posted on: 2010-01-17 10:48 in ALL ACCESS Gameplay Technical Issues Bugs
Quote:
Unfortunantly, the processor already IS a limiting factor for most modern games. Modern is defined as games using the Unreal 3 Engine, the Cry Engine as used in Crysis, the Infinity Ward Engine (Modern Warfare), UniEngine (DX11 / OGL 3.2 demo), ID Tech 5 (Rage), or the Jupiter E.X. Engine (F.E.A.R. 2). Okay, yes, you could actually throw a more powerful graphics card on there, but you'll quickly find yourself capped on the resolution you can run at. |
Originally Posted by Klocwork
I have an older system that I am looking to upgrade, as it will probably be the end of the year before I can purchase a new one.
Dell 4700 Processer: Pentium 4, 3 Ghz Ram: 3 GB Video Card: GeForce 8400 GS I was wondering how good a video card I could use, before the processor or RAM become the limiting factor. Also (depending on the answer to the first question), are there any relatively cheap video cards (~$50) that would significantly improve it's performance. Thanks for any advice. CK |
And no, anything in the $50 bracket isn't going to do anything to improve your frame-rates.
As Je Saist said, your system is pretty much maxed out for it's capabilities now.
Throwing some hugely expensive video card at it would be a waste of money. And nothing in your $50 price range is going to make any difference (save a negative one).
Clicking on the linked image above will take you off the City of Heroes site. However, the guides will be linked back here.
Thanks guys, that's exactly what I needed to know.
Looks like I'll save my money and look towards the future.
I mostly concur. The 8400GS is an extremely low end card but finding an inexpensive replacement that won't tax your PSU (305 watt, 22A at 12 volts) would be difficult at best. A 9400GT or a HD 4550 are more powerful cards but will likely tax your power supply since it's also feeding a power hungry Pentium 4.
Father Xmas - Level 50 Ice/Ice Tanker - Victory
$725 and $1350 parts lists --- My guide to computer components
Tempus unum hominem manet
I have an older system that I am looking to upgrade, as it will probably be the end of the year before I can purchase a new one.
Dell 4700
Processer: Pentium 4, 3 Ghz
Ram: 3 GB
Video Card: GeForce 8400 GS
I was wondering how good a video card I could use, before the processor or RAM become the limiting factor.
Also (depending on the answer to the first question), are there any relatively cheap video cards (~$50) that would significantly improve it's performance.
Thanks for any advice.
CK