Should I upgrade or wait to build new?

**Luck0** · May 4th, 2011, 05:50 PM

So I built this rig pushing two years ago or so. And given its specs I'd like to have a few opinions on whether or not to upgrade or just wait it out and build new altogether. I'm capable enough to piece things together and careful enough to not break anything and usually buy parts that work together//fit the motherboard etc. I play some games with it and do light video editing/photoshop, and lately with the newer games it seems to be having more and more trouble. But I'm still fairly new at this in most regards. Here's the specs, any and all help is appreciated thanks!

Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
Motherboard: Gigabyte ga-ma770t-ud3p
Processor: AMD phenom II X4 955 Processor
RAM: 4.00 GB DDR3 A-Data tech DDR3 1600G
Video: ATI Radeon HD 5700 Series
Disk Drive: asus drw-24b1st ATA Device
Hard Drive: WDC WD6401AAls-00L3B2 ATA Device 600GB

If you need anything else lemme know.

**Aaron_8015** · May 4th, 2011, 05:57 PM

Well you don't need to upgrade, so do you want to upgrade...?

Some people upgrade when something new comes out, others stick with a system for years....

Have you looked into overclocking your CPU (would need an aftermarket cooler)? Or GPU, get some extra performance?

**JPMiller** · May 4th, 2011, 06:00 PM

1st issue is the 32 bit windows, your only accessing 3.5 gigs INCLUDING whatever memory is on the video card...
So you may only have access to a little over 2 gigs of your system memory...
We could also use your power supply specs, brand and +12V amperage.
WHAT 57XX card is it?
if its a lower end, and your PSU can handle it, I'd say a new video card and 64bit windows could make a world of difference.

**Luck0** · May 4th, 2011, 06:22 PM

Well I'm thinking about upgrading for now, was at least what I was leaning towards. Though with the 32 bit news..(i feel fairly stupid at that.) And sheesh, last time I asked about going through the building process I was assured 32 bit was fine, that's a problem for sure. Thanks(shows me I need to spend more time researching, and less time assuming my techy friend from work is right!). And it's a 5770. PS is Seventeam ST-750P-AF Power Supply Review | Hardware Secrets this one, model numner ST-750P-AF. And forgive me, the +12V amperage?

**JPMiller** · May 4th, 2011, 09:59 PM

Well other than the memory issue, I'm not sure you will see much of a difference in an upgrade.
I personally think a rebuild is the only way you will see a marked improvement.

**ShyguyXPC** · May 5th, 2011, 02:03 AM

Windows 7 64-bit agreed, and depending on what games it is your playing and your graphics settings (Display Resolution, etc), a better video card is about all you need on that thing, possibly Radeon 6800 series would be a nice improvement.

Depending on your Video editing programs and Version of Photoshop, possibly look at getting an Nvidia card that can support GPU Acceleration in those programs. (Geforce GTX 460 1GB, or if you can nab a GTX 560 Ti Open Box on newegg for close to $200 or less, that'd be a good deal as well)

Beside Photoshop and Premiere Pro CS4 and CS5, there's Pinnacle Studio 14 and 15, Corel VideoStudio Pro X4, Cyberlink Power Director (latest version), all support GPU acceleration with Nvidia Cards, Can't remember which one it is, but one of the latter two also support Radeon cards.

but Nvidia Cards seem to have a monopoly on GPU acceleration with these programs more so than AMD does.

Besides those 2 Upgrades the only other thing I can think of is, maybe a new hard drive, but thats about it, your system is still pretty high end (video card aside as now the Radeon 5700's are lower range cards in performance, $100-140 range cards)