Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 09:20:42 AM

Title: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 09:20:42 AM
Well guys I've gotten back into the game and my computer is obviously a little out dated. It runs the game fine but not close to max graphics. Here are the specs.

Motherboard: GA-770T-Usb3
Graphics Card: Nvidia GTX 660
Processor: AMD Phenom 425x4 945 2.8~GHZ
Ram:4 sticks 8Gb I believe
PSU:700 or 800 I forget it's one of the two. I'm doing this on my phone so forgive me.

So yeah if there's anything else you guys let me know and I'll add it. For what it's worth the game runs fine but I've noticed my mother board doesn't really support any new processors. So that may be an issue.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: guncrasher on November 11, 2016, 09:56:43 AM
By fine does it mean you are happy with it? If so keep it using it till it breaks down.

If you aren't happy, what is your budget?


Semp
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 10:20:40 AM
By fine does it mean you are happy with it? If so keep it using it till it breaks down.

If you aren't happy, what is your budget?


Semp

Just give me some options. I'm not looking for a huge upgrade or top of the line stuff haha.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Bizman on November 11, 2016, 11:19:51 AM
If you really want to upgrade, get a better video card. Since the GTX 660 has dual six pin power slots, your power supply should be able to feed at least a GTX 1060 or an even better one.

Then, if the rest of your system starts to bottleneck the new video card, build a new computer around the video card.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 11:21:09 AM
If you really want to upgrade, get a better video card. Since the GTX 660 has dual six pin power slots, your power supply should be able to feed at least a GTX 1060 or an even better one.

Then, if the rest of your system starts to bottleneck the new video card, build a new computer around the video card.
So your saying leave the 660 in and run 2 cards?
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Chalenge on November 11, 2016, 11:29:49 AM
No, replace it with the 1060, or 1070. You could probably sell the 660 used.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 11:33:34 AM
Are the 1060 1070 top of the line right now?

Edit: 1070 is little too much haha
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 11:40:04 AM
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01JNUO6BG/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1478885886&sr=8-3&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=gtx+1060&dpPl=1&dpID=51wcPo7WeEL&ref=plSrch

I could get this card. You guys approve of its specs? Instead of buying it pre overclocked I could do it myself no?
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Bizman on November 11, 2016, 12:01:03 PM
A factory overclocked card has been tested to handle the OC. So even with standard clocks such a card should be a little stronger in terms of longevity.

A slight factory overclocking doesn't give you a huge performance boost vs. a standard card. Rather than getting an "OC beast" of a lesser known brand, get something that has a known level of quality. The Gigabyte you linked to is a reputable manufacturer so you should get a silent and cool, yet competitive card. It's arguable whether the 6 GB model is worth the extra $50 against the 3 GB one, but for what I've read the smaller one has some other limitations, too. Personally, I'd like to get one but my current budget doesn't allow for it. People have got very good results with a GTX 1060 on older systems.

As for overclocking in general, my opinion is that it's good for prolonging the life span of older hardware at the point when breaking it won't be a big issue, used spare parts being very cheap. New gear should always be the best you can afford at stock clocks.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 12:17:26 PM
Ok. I'll have me one of these ordered soon. Do I need to delete all my drivers once I get it. Or is there a program I can use to do it for me?
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 12:33:07 PM
You guys think my processor is good enough?  To get anything better I'm pretty sure I'd have to replace the Morher board.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Bizman on November 11, 2016, 12:59:42 PM
Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU), available from the author here: http://www.wagnardmobile.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=673 (http://www.wagnardmobile.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=673). Run it in Safe Mode.

Your processor looks quite good. However, if you want a better one, this list shows much faster ones that you could get on that motherboard: http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-770T-USB3%28rev._1.0%29.html (http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-770T-USB3%28rev._1.0%29.html) Look for the highest single core speeds, also more than four cores is most likely unnecessary. Even two will do just fine for AH.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 01:01:38 PM
Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU), available from the author here: http://www.wagnardmobile.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=673 (http://www.wagnardmobile.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=673). Run it in Safe Mode.

Your processor looks quite good. However, if you want a better one, this list shows much faster ones that you could get on that motherboard: http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-770T-USB3%28rev._1.0%29.html (http://www.cpu-upgrade.com/mb-Gigabyte/GA-770T-USB3%28rev._1.0%29.html)

So do I need to run that before or after I install the new card.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Bizman on November 11, 2016, 01:05:59 PM
After you've installed the new card, before installing the drivers for it.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Bizman on November 11, 2016, 01:08:48 PM
As for the processors, look for second hand Phenom II 960 and up to 980. 3.4 to 3.7 GHz, they shouldn't hiccup with the new card. However, don't hurry, your current CPU might do just fine.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 01:13:04 PM
And how will I know if my CPU is bottle necking me.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: TequilaChaser on November 11, 2016, 01:14:41 PM
Hey Spek,

Doing a quick look at what CPU s are compatible with your motherboard, I would recommend upgrading your CPU to either an AMD phenom II x4 975 or possibly an AMD FX 4350 quad core

The 975 is 3.6 GHz quad core factory clock, the FX 4350 is 4.2 GHz factory clock ( well 2 of the 3 I have are because they are the Black Edition models, the 3rd one is 4.1 GHz )

Upgrade your system memory to 16 GB if that MB will support it....I just did a quick check on what compatible CPU's it would take/handle

The nvidia 1060 is pretty good recommendation as well...

Hope this helps

TC
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 01:21:51 PM
Thanks tc!  I think I'm gonna go the video card route first. It's easier to install I think. My computer runs every game I play just fine. But I've noticed as new games come out I have to lower my video settings.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Bizman on November 11, 2016, 01:23:48 PM
And how will I know if my CPU is bottle necking me.

Umm... If you notice hiccups during your gameplay, open Task Manager and see the total CPU usage and how much AH uses it. If it's a constant 100% and AH is using most of it on any cores it's present, then you know. There must be more automated recording programs for that, but I've never needed to use any.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: TequilaChaser on November 11, 2016, 01:25:02 PM
I might be willing to do some trading with you to help you out

Say one of the CPU's I mentioned, along with (4) 4GB sticks of Ram trade for that CPU you have along with that video card you have...

Then all you need is just buy you what ever New VC you desire

Just a thought...trying to help

TC
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 01:28:45 PM
I might be willing to do some trading with you to help you out

Say one of the CPU's I mentioned, along with (4) 4GB sticks of Ram trade for that CPU you have along with that video card you have...

Then all you need is just buy you what ever New VC you desire

Just a thought...trying to help

TC
I may do something like that TC. Let me do some thinking or go ahead and PM me if ya want. I need to make sure all this will be compatible with me.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: TequilaChaser on November 11, 2016, 02:03:50 PM
copy Spek, I'll get in touch with you via personal massages

I will do it here in a little while, got some stuff I need to do before it gets dark outside


btw, regarding Aces High and AMD CPU processors:
I noticed back during the beta of AH3 that Aces High was using all 4 cores on my AMD FX4350 BE CPU, it would be switching up across all 4 cores and every now and then it would even switch to using 2 cores at the same time....this was on the Windows 8.1 Pro OS.....

I haven't bothered to check to see if I could get the same results using Windows 7 Pro or Windows 7 Ultimate

TC
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 05:33:06 PM
https://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16814133631&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10446076&PID=3938566

Actually ended up getting this card instead of the amazon one.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Spikes on November 11, 2016, 06:02:24 PM
When you're in game, monitor your CPU and GPU usage, if one is pegged at 100% under load and one isn't, there's your bottleneck.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: ACE on November 11, 2016, 06:19:53 PM
When you're in game, monitor your CPU and GPU usage, if one is pegged at 100% under load and one isn't, there's your bottleneck.

Sounds good. I'll check for that.
Title: Re: What should I upgrade next?
Post by: Shuffler on November 16, 2016, 04:49:53 PM
That much ram will only help if he is 64 bit.