I built an HTPC about 3 years ago for hi-def video only, wasn't interested in gaming at the time. Now I want to try running some older games on it, and I'm wondering how best to spend my $200 dollar upgrade budget for best performance. Here are my current specs:
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CPU: Pentium Dual-Core E5200 2.50GHz LGA775
CPU Cooler: Stock cooler
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA775
Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4670 GDDR4 512MB
HDD: Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA 3.0Gbps
Memory: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1B16K
PSU: Corsair VX450W CMPSU-450VX 450W
Case: SilverStone Lascala LC17 SST-LC17B ATX
Optical drive: LG Black Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner
OS: Windows 7
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For now I just want to be able to do some basic gaming, then if I get into it I'll do a full upgrade (mobo and all) in a year or so. I'll be replacing the HDD with a 128gb Samsung 470 Sata 2 SSD from my laptop. I'm planning on spending the $200 to buy a used CPU that will work with this older mobo, and a new GPU. I'm also considering keeping the CPU (which I believe has the Core architecture) and spending more on the GPU. My display is a 720p plasma TV, so I won't need full 1080p settings or 60fps performance.
So I have 2 questions: 1, what older games will run on my system as is? I'd like to run a few games before changing anything. 2, how best to spend the $200 for upgrades? CPU and GPU, or keep CPU and spend all on GPU?
I know these upgrades won't let me run the latest games on ultra settings, but for now I'm just looking to test the gaming waters.
**************************************************************************************************
CPU: Pentium Dual-Core E5200 2.50GHz LGA775
CPU Cooler: Stock cooler
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-EP43-UD3L LGA775
Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4670 GDDR4 512MB
HDD: Western Digital WD6400AAKS 640GB SATA 3.0Gbps
Memory: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQVE1B16K
PSU: Corsair VX450W CMPSU-450VX 450W
Case: SilverStone Lascala LC17 SST-LC17B ATX
Optical drive: LG Black Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner
OS: Windows 7
****************************************************************************************************
For now I just want to be able to do some basic gaming, then if I get into it I'll do a full upgrade (mobo and all) in a year or so. I'll be replacing the HDD with a 128gb Samsung 470 Sata 2 SSD from my laptop. I'm planning on spending the $200 to buy a used CPU that will work with this older mobo, and a new GPU. I'm also considering keeping the CPU (which I believe has the Core architecture) and spending more on the GPU. My display is a 720p plasma TV, so I won't need full 1080p settings or 60fps performance.
So I have 2 questions: 1, what older games will run on my system as is? I'd like to run a few games before changing anything. 2, how best to spend the $200 for upgrades? CPU and GPU, or keep CPU and spend all on GPU?
I know these upgrades won't let me run the latest games on ultra settings, but for now I'm just looking to test the gaming waters.
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