Computer help! Please...

So just like many Americans around this time of year I have come into some money from our dear government....

In light of that I want to upgrade my computer to improve it in anyway I can in the most minimal way. The computer is pretty old and the parts are defiantly outdated but hoping maybe a part or two can be changed to help it come into the new age. I also understand that i might have to scrap it completely but holding on to hope! :D

The following is what my computer has on it im not super computer savvy so i just need advice on what i can do. If im missing something important let me know!

System Manufacturer MSI
System Model MS-7599
System Type x64-based PC
Processor AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 970 Processor, 3500 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BaseBoard Manufacturer MSI
Installed Physical Memory (RAM) 16.0 GB
Available Physical Memory 12.9 GB
Total Virtual Memory 32.0 GB
Available Virtual Memory 28.7 GB
Name AMD Radeon HD 6900 Series
Resolution 1600 x 900 x 60 hertz
Bits/Pixel 32


I can currently play the game only on the Standard Desktop Settings and sometimes it struggles in populated times.

Alrighty, so you are right in that you only need a few things to make this PC run better, and the biggest thing is your Processor. I did a comparison, your processor is horrible, so upgrading to an "AMD Ryzen 5 1600" would be a HUGE performance gain for your PC as a whole. In addition, replacing your video card with a Radeon RX 580 would also give you a huge leap in performance. These are the cheapest "new" AMD parts I found, if these are above your price point then do a little research in similar parts. Try to avoid putting Intel parts in your PC as mixing hardware like that can cause problems. If you do want intel, then replace both processor and Graphics card with Intel parts.

Unfortunately, your Motherboard is also a big issue as it is older and cannot support the Processor I just mentioned (assuming that system model means your motherboard's model). If you have a good chunk of money to spend, and are confident in completely dismantling and rebuilding your PC, I would advise going to pcpartpicker.com and putting that CPU and GPU I mentioned into it, then finding a good but cheap Motherboard, RAM (if incompatible) and maybe investing in a new Power Supply if yours is old. I know this involves pretty much rebuilding your PC from scratch, but doing so will cost only around 600-800$ depending on where you buy and if any rebates are available. It will also get you a VERY powerful machine for the cost as buying a similarly powered PC outright could cost over 1,000$

Finally, before you buy anything, take measurments! The last thing you want to do is buy 800$ worth of parts only to find that your case is too small to physically fit them inside! Measure everything and compare that to the measurements provided by the site I listed so you can be sure that each part will fit and you should be fine. Worst case scenario is a new case which can be as cheap as $40. Invest well, and you'll have a beast of a machine for at least the next 5 years.

That is an antique you have there but for the most part should work. I would upgrade the graphics card first. I'm not too familiar with Radeon cards at the moment but for Nvidia I'd go with at least a 1050ti or 1060. I use a 1060 and can run max settings comfortably using a 4 core processor at 3.5 ghz. Might be all for naught if it uses agp for the graphics card slot. If it doesn't have PCI express slots you'll need to start from scratch. You might want to get a new monitor too at least 1920 x 1080.

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Originally Posted by TheBlastMage

Alrighty, so you are right in that you only need a few things to make this PC run better, and the biggest thing is your Processor. I did a comparison, your processor is horrible, so upgrading to an "AMD Ryzen 5 1600" would be a HUGE performance gain for your PC as a whole. In addition, replacing your video card with a Radeon RX 580 would also give you a huge leap in performance. These are the cheapest "new" AMD parts I found, if these are above your price point then do a little research in similar parts. Try to avoid putting Intel parts in your PC as mixing hardware like that can cause problems. If you do want intel, then replace both processor and Graphics card with Intel parts.

Unfortunately, your Motherboard is also a big issue as it is older and cannot support the Processor I just mentioned (assuming that system model means your motherboard's model). If you have a good chunk of money to spend, and are confident in completely dismantling and rebuilding your PC, I would advise going to pcpartpicker.com and putting that CPU and GPU I mentioned into it, then finding a good but cheap Motherboard, RAM (if incompatible) and maybe investing in a new Power Supply if yours is old. I know this involves pretty much rebuilding your PC from scratch, but doing so will cost only around 600-800$ depending on where you buy and if any rebates are available. It will also get you a VERY powerful machine for the cost as buying a similarly powered PC outright could cost over 1,000$

Finally, before you buy anything, take measurments! The last thing you want to do is buy 800$ worth of parts only to find that your case is too small to physically fit them inside! Measure everything and compare that to the measurements provided by the site I listed so you can be sure that each part will fit and you should be fine. Worst case scenario is a new case which can be as cheap as $40. Invest well, and you'll have a beast of a machine for at least the next 5 years.

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Well 3 parts do not sound so bad to replace, I do have a massive tower though so hopefully things will fit but thanks for that tip i would hate to waste money xD

How much do you plan to spend on it?

I am afraid you may want to replace almost everything in it, all parts you have here are kind of outdated.

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Originally Posted by NekoGato

That is an antique you have there but for the most part should work. I would upgrade the graphics card first. I'm not too familiar with Radeon cards at the moment but for Nvidia I'd go with at least a 1050ti or 1060. I use a 1060 and can run max settings comfortably using a 4 core processor at 3.5 ghz. Might be all for naught if it uses agp for the graphics card slot. If it doesn't have PCI express slots you'll need to start from scratch. You might want to get a new monitor too at least 1920 x 1080.

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Yea I was also concerned about my monitor as well it's just as old as the pc so im sure it's also causing some issues as well....

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Originally Posted by Nedkel

How much do you plan to spend on it?

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Well as little as possible but at max maybe 1k

The problem with a PC that old is you pretty much have to replace everything. Can't just put in a new CPU cause the motherboard won't work with it, and new GPU will get throttled by the CPU you have in there.

Do you know how to put together your own PC if so you can get something that is way better than that for less than $1000.

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Originally Posted by Lexun

Well as little as possible but at max maybe 1k

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I would build entire new PC if you have that money, since there is not really anything you could upgrade in yours today.

For 800$ you could get this one
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/B74CQZ
This will play FFXIV at over 100 fps in any given moment on highest settings.

Or you could invest more into much better graphic card that will last you for much longer
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xmCyNQ
For something around 880$
This will play this game even on higher resolution monitor screen with fps above 100.

@edit
Check it now i found i case with 2 fans on front of case so you may not need to buy fans.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nedkel

How much do you plan to spend on it?

I am afraid you may want to replace almost everything in it, all parts you have here are kind of outdated.

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Exactly that. Getting a new one under 1k would possibly be a better option (plus he gets to have two PCs lol).

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Originally Posted by Zumi

The problem with a PC that old is you pretty much have to replace everything. Can't just put in a new CPU cause the motherboard won't work with it, and new GPU will get throttled by the CPU you have in there.

Do you know how to put together your own PC if so you can get something that is way better than that for less than $1000.

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Yea when i got the one i have now i ordered all the parts and assembled it so i can at least do that lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nedkel

I would build entire new PC if you have that money, since there is not really anything you could upgrade in yours today.

For 800$ you could get this one
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/B74CQZ
This will play FFXIV at over 100 fps in any given moment on highest settings.

Or you could invest more into much better graphic card that will last you for much longer
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/xmCyNQ
For something around 880$
This will play this game even on higher resolution monitor screen with fps above 100.

@edit
Check it now i found i case with 2 fans on front of case so you may not need to buy fans.

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Thanks! that will be a big help as well, i am kinda scared that the other parts HD and what not would slow it down or something

You'll need new RAM to go along with that Motherboard and processor, as new boards will not fit old RAM. I'd also go for a new case as building inside a proprietary case can range from annoying to impossible. Also computer cases are pretty cheap.

Sadly I have to echo that the machine is quite outdated and full rebuild would be for the best.

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Originally Posted by WaterShield

You'll need new RAM to go along with that Motherboard and processor, as new boards will not fit old RAM. I'd also go for a new case as building inside a proprietary case can range from annoying to impossible. Also computer cases are pretty cheap.

Sadly I have to echo that the machine is quite outdated and full rebuild would be for the best.

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Yea i was ultimately prepared that it would be the case(pun intended) so i was just looking for some advice from those in the know. I appreciate everyone's time! Ill update this when i get it together!

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Originally Posted by Lexun

Thanks! that will be a big help as well, i am kinda scared that the other parts HD and what not would slow it down or something

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Absolutely not.
You could change the motherboard for more expensive if you want to (just remember to get 400+ series instead of 300, since they could not have updated bios and will not run ryzen 2 gen), however with stock cooler the power section on it will be perfectly fine due to the stock cooler air flow, and amd wraith coolers are really good made with copper pipes going around.

If you want to save a buck you may change the cpu from 2600x to 2600 without X so it will run cooler, since it is not going to overclock automaticly. None of the parts i have chosen in this build will slow down one or another. I have built about 10 desktops already for my friends, so you could relay on me.

Ultimately on your place i would wait for the GTX 1160 GPU to be released by Nvidia and ryzen 3 gen by AMD, so you could either have more efficient parts or cheaper.

Also one thing, never cheap out on the power supply unit, it is the crucial choice of yours, i recommend Seasonic (not evo series) or silentiumPC Vero series if it is available in the US. My two friends after a year of building the PC they both had a PSU failure, they have bought a cheap evga and corsair PSU and it end up for them with motherboard being broken and one of them have their GPU broken as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lexun

in the most minimal way

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My advice. Don't. This is one of the very few things I urge people NOT to cut corners on. I'm not a tech expert so I can't say with certainty about your situation. When I upgraded from my old computer it was eight years old but I took exceptional care of it and only replaced the gpu once so I could play various games.

Just educate yourself on the pros and cons of your options and seek counsel from people who know a lot about the subject.