Thinking about upgrading my PC

[Robo]

I was just wanting some input on what I should upgrade, my budget is about $100, I could probably go a few dollars over, but not much. what would you guys recommend?

If you need some more info, I'll give it to you in the morning, attaching pic of the windows experience index thing.

also, dxdiag:

Code: [Select]

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/7/2011, 20:25:49
       Machine name: Robopc
   Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 06/11/10 09:58:21 Ver: 07.04
          Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 255 Processor (2 CPUs), ~3.1GHz
             Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4094MB RAM
          Page File: 1613MB used, 6572MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\Windows
    DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
   User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
 System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
    DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
     DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D:    0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw:  0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay:  0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow:  0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
          Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5450
       Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
          Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x68F9)
           DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
         Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68F9&SUBSYS_22911787&REV_00
     Display Memory: 2805 MB
   Dedicated Memory: 1014 MB
      Shared Memory: 1791 MB
       Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
       Monitor Name: Dell ST2320L_brown townog
      Monitor Model: DELL ST2320L
         Monitor Id: DELF022
        Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.000Hz)
        Output Type: HD15
        Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1077 (English)
     Driver Version: 8.850.0.0
        DDI Version: 11
       Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
  Driver Attributes: Final Retail
   Driver Date/Size: 4/20/2011 02:07:48, 795648 bytes
        WHQL Logo'd: n/a
    WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
  Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2BB9-11CF-0270-9B02BEC2C535}
          Vendor ID: 0x1002
          Device ID: 0x68F9
          SubSys ID: 0x22911787
        Revision ID: 0x0000
 Driver Strong Name: oem23.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_EvergreenC:8.850.0.0:pci\ven_1002&dev_68f9
     Rank Of Driver: 00E62001
        Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
   Deinterlace Caps: {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
                     {5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
       D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
            DXVA-HD: Not Supported
       DDraw Status: Enabled
         D3D Status: Enabled
         AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers (VIA High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1106&DEV_0397&SUBSYS_1043840C&REV_1000
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: viahduaa.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7900 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: n/a
          Date and Size: 1/11/2010 03:05:20, 1290752 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: VIA Technologies, Inc.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

            Description: HD Audio HDMI out (VIA High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1106&DEV_0397&SUBSYS_1043840C&REV_1000
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: viahduaa.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7900 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: n/a
          Date and Size: 1/11/2010 03:05:20, 1290752 bytes
            Other Files:
        Driver Provider: VIA Technologies, Inc.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0x0
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: Stereo Mix (VIA High Definition Audio)
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: viahduaa.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7900 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: 1/11/2010 03:05:20, 1290752 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x0
           Format Flags: 0x0

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
      Device Name: Mouse
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Keyboard
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Jumi Joystick
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x1
Vendor/Product ID: 0x0068, 0x0016
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: USB Receiver
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC52F
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: USB Receiver
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC52F
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: USB Receiver
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC52F
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Wacom Virtual Hid Driver
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x056A, 0x1001
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Wacom Virtual Hid Driver
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x056A, 0x1001
        FF Driver: n/a

      Device Name: Wacom Virtual Hid Driver
         Attached: 1
    Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x056A, 0x1001
        FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x1002, 0x4397
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Standard PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
|
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
|
+ HID-compliant mouse
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC52F
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
|
+ Wacom Mouse
| Matching Device ID: hid\wacomvirtualhid&col03
| Upper Filters: wacommousefilter
| Service: mouhid
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
      Drive: C:
 Free Space: 166.7 GB
Total Space: 476.8 GB
File System: NTFS
      Model: Hitachi HDS721050CLA362 ATA Device

      Drive: E:
      Model: DTSOFT Virtual CdRom Device
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), , 0 bytes

      Drive: D:
      Model: Optiarc DVD RW AD-7260S ATA Device
     Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (English), , 0 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
     Name: Atheros AR8131 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 6.20)
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1969&DEV_1063&SUBSYS_83FE1043&REV_C0\4&1441FE03&0&0030
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1200&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C0
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4397&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&98
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_9606&SUBSYS_83881043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&30
   Driver: n/a

     Name: High Definition Audio Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_AA68&SUBSYS_AA681787&REV_00\4&2A1FC852&0&0110
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4397&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&90
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_9603&SUBSYS_83881043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&10
   Driver: n/a

     Name: ATI Radeon HD 5450
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_68F9&SUBSYS_22911787&REV_00\4&2A1FC852&0&0010
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4396&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&9A
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_9600&SUBSYS_83881043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&00
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard ISA bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_439D&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&A3
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4396&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&92
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1204&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C4
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_439C&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&A1
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4390&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&88
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1203&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C3
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4399&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&A5
   Driver: n/a

     Name: ATI I/O Communications Processor SMBus Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4385&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_3C\3&267A616A&0&A0
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1202&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C2
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4398&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&99
   Driver: n/a

     Name: ATI I/O Communications Processor PCI Bus Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4384&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&A4
   Driver: n/a

     Name: PCI standard host CPU bridge
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1022&DEV_1201&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&C1
   Driver: n/a

     Name: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4398&SUBSYS_83891043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&91
   Driver: n/a

     Name: High Definition Audio Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4383&SUBSYS_840C1043&REV_00\3&267A616A&0&A2
   Driver: n/a

---------------
EVR Power Information
---------------
Current Setting: {5C67A112-A4C9-483F-B4A7-1D473BECAFDC} (Quality)
  Quality Flags: 2576
    Enabled:
    Force throttling
    Allow half deinterlace
    Allow scaling
    Decode Power Usage: 100
  Balanced Flags: 1424
    Enabled:
    Force throttling
    Allow batching
    Force half deinterlace
    Force scaling
    Decode Power Usage: 50
  PowerFlags: 1424
    Enabled:
    Force throttling
    Allow batching
    Force half deinterlace
    Force scaling
    Decode Power Usage: 0

Sorry about the wall.

[Ad Bot]

[Stocking]

http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-World-Warcraft-Cataclysm-Gaming/dp/B004GZ2RCY

[Ethan]

http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-World-Warcraft-Cataclysm-Gaming/dp/B004GZ2RCY

You totally missed the point. Don't post for the sake of posting.

On topic: I'd suggest both a CPU upgrade and a video card upgrade in the near future.
How fast can you get your hands on say, another $200?
Cause right now both of them on your PC are quite equal, so I'd say invest in a Phenom II 955 BE or something, provided your motherboard can support it.

[Ethan]

http://us.ncix.com/products/?sku=47459&vpn=HDZ955FBGMBOX&manufacture=AMD&promoid=1297

[Robo]

Thanks, I appreciate the post. It would be quite a while before I could get another $200, though it might start snowing soon here, so I could probably shovel some walks or something.

by equal, do you mean they would both need to be upgraded? also, how out of date would you say my computer is anyway? would it even be worth upgrading? Honestly I was just thinking about upgrading so I could play skyrim when it comes out.

[Gaythan Gayes]

im going along with what Ethan said, upgrade your cpu and your gpu (i find that the amd phenom II x4 works quite well)

[HerpaDerp]

The AMD Phenom ii x4 is the best CPU for generic gaming and small budgets. If you had a bigger budget, you could've gone with an i5-2500k. Or even an i7-2600k. But those cost in the 200 - 300s.

A good GPU upgrade for you could be the 6770.

[Gaythan Gayes]

The AMD Phenom ii x4 is the best CPU for generic gaming and small budgets. If you had a bigger budget, you could've gone with an i5-2500k. Or even an i7-2600k. But those cost in the 200 - 300s.

A good GPU upgrade for you could be the 6770.

i dont think an i5 would work considering/assuming that he has an amd motherboard..

(and yea i had a small budget when i built my computer, that is if you count $800 a small budget..)

[Zuero]

i dont think an i5 would work considering/assuming that he has an amd motherboard..

(and yea i had a small budget when i built my computer, that is if you count $800 a small budget..)

$800 isnt a small budget

[Gaythan Gayes]

$800 isnt a small budget

it isnt a large budget (and that was including the $100 monitor and about $50 for speakers, a keyboard, and a mouse

[Eightfold]

$800 is nothing in the computing world, to be knacking up 50FPS in 3DMark is every mans dream with this kind of money, no time soon it'll work

[Gaythan Gayes]

$800 is nothing in the computing world, to be knacking up 50FPS in 3DMark is every mans dream with this kind of money, no time soon it'll work

so then.. its a small budget?

[Gum]

ew why would you think of upgrading your pancreatic cancer
 

[HerpaDerp]

ew why would you think of upgrading your pancreatic cancer
 

steve jobs

[Gum]

steve jobs

sounds like a nice idea
ill be planning to upgrade my pancreatic cancer