RAM or Graphics Card?

Yep, I have to agree. You need a new processor, at least 4GB of RAM and a new video card. Although, bring your system up to 4gigs is a good start. The problem is that your system is so old, your going to need do a full upgrade anyway. It would be just throwing money at a beaten and bloody horse if you added any more RAM to that system.

As previously stated you need everything better in order to play.

Hello, I tried running Skyrim the other day on my rig (not very complex or expensive, specs below). It lags QUITE A BIT on low settings, which is sad. So, as you see below, I have a Geforce 8400GS video card, and I also have 2gb of ram on my computer. Should I update the ram, or the graphics card? I already purchased two more gigs of ram, just wondering if i should do video card too. thank you! SETUP; AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Dual Processor @2.3GHz Geforce 8400gs 512mb DDR2 2gb DDR2 ram Ask if you need more info, and ill try to help. thank you so much!psman012

a lot needs to change minimum i would touch skyrim with is an athlon 64 x2 + 5800, 4gb ddr2 and a 9800gt

Motherboard's model/part number is 0RY206.psman012

Buy a new pc :lpunk2kgamer

This.

[QUOTE="psman012"]Motherboard's model/part number is 0RY206.adamosmaki

this +1 350 bucks will do wonders to your machine.. trust me

you will be playing crysis 1 on medium - high dx9-10 in no time flat!

So I did a little digging and this is what I found:

1) That motherboard supposedly has no quad core support (although I was unable to verify his claim)

http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636740

2)You could probably stick a higher end athlon x2 on there.

You need a new graphics card no matter what.

You need a new CPU no matter what.

To get a new CPU you should get a new motherboard, which MAY make you need to buy new ram.

Buying a new graphics card, you don't have to change anything.

I would suggest this:

Buy a graphics card, something like a 7750. See what your performance is like, if it still sucks, start looking at what you can do to make your computing experience better.

If you have a little bit of cash, you can buy a motherboard like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157274

Which will allow you to use your current CPU and then upgrade to a better CPU later if it turns out your performance sucks.

These are all great ideas! My problem is money. I really need to put it into more important things for now. As long as I can play it Medium-Low settings with a playable framerate, I'm all good. psman012

Well, since you are going to need a graphics card anyway (8400 is a peice of garbage) may as well start your upgrades with just a graphics card and see if that aleviates any of your current problem.

Worse comes to worse, you can always buy a new motherboard, cpu, memory (psu and case too probably)

Incremental upgrades are how I work. This machine that I have started off as a duron 1.2/radeon 7500(dx7 video card)/256MB ddr machine in 2001

Sounds like a plan. When I upgrade, I'll go to maybe an 8800? Once again, being a stickler for money, hahapsman012

What's your limit on price? You should get a newer low end card they use a lot less power than an 8800

Remember if you want a new graphics card chances are you need a new power supply.

[QUOTE="psman012"]Sounds like a plan. When I upgrade, I'll go to maybe an 8800? Once again, being a stickler for money, hahaGummiRaccoon

What's your limit on price? You should get a newer low end card they use a lot less power than an 8800

Remember if you want a new graphics card chances are you need a new power supply.

kraken2109

If he gets a 7750 he probably won't

Well, how good is a 7750 compared to an 8400? Btw, I upgraded my power supply to 430 watts a year or two ago.psman012

well you have hard disk, power supply, dvd drive and even the case if you wish to Imo save $300 get an AMD 4100 ( $100-110) and AM3+ mobo ( $60-70 ) a 6770 or 6790 for $100-120 and $35-40 for 4gb of DDR3 ram and you got yourself a quite capable PC Of course you can spend an extra $10-20 and get a bit better CPU ( phenom ii 960T) and $20-30 more and get a better gpu as well ( Amd 6850 )

Of course you can just buy a graphics card for now and transfer it in a new pc later but dont be surpsrised if you dont see any performance increase due to the way outdated CPU you have now

Also what brand/model is your 430W psu because there are brands and brands ( a good Antec 400W psu would be better than say an unknown brand $30 650W psu )

Well, how good is a 7750 compared to an 8400? Btw, I upgraded my power supply to 430 watts a year or two ago.psman012

significantly faster. On this list (which is very good) the 7750 is 50th and the 8400 is 179th.

http://www.overclock.net/t/502403/graphics-card-ranking-5th-time-and-last-updated-daily

[QUOTE="psman012"]Well, how good is a 7750 compared to an 8400? Btw, I upgraded my power supply to 430 watts a year or two ago.adamosmaki

well you have hard disk, power supply, dvd drive and even the case if you wish to Imo save $300 get an AMD 4100 ( $100-110) and AM3+ mobo ( $60-70 ) a 6770 or 6790 for $100-120 and $35-40 for 4gb of DDR3 ram and you got yourself a quite capable PC Of course you can spend an extra $10-20 and get a bit better CPU ( phenom ii 960T) and $20-30 more and get a better gpu as well ( Amd 6850 )

Of course you can just buy a graphics card for now and transfer it in a new pc later but dont be surpsrised if you dont see any performance increase due to the way outdated CPU you have now

Also what brand/model is your 430W psu because there are brands and brands ( a good Antec 400W psu would be better than say an unknown brand $30 650W psu )

[QUOTE="adamosmaki"]

[QUOTE="psman012"]Well, how good is a 7750 compared to an 8400? Btw, I upgraded my power supply to 430 watts a year or two ago.psman012

well you have hard disk, power supply, dvd drive and even the case if you wish to Imo save $300 get an AMD 4100 ( $100-110) and AM3+ mobo ( $60-70 ) a 6770 or 6790 for $100-120 and $35-40 for 4gb of DDR3 ram and you got yourself a quite capable PC Of course you can spend an extra $10-20 and get a bit better CPU ( phenom ii 960T) and $20-30 more and get a better gpu as well ( Amd 6850 )

Of course you can just buy a graphics card for now and transfer it in a new pc later but dont be surpsrised if you dont see any performance increase due to the way outdated CPU you have now

Also what brand/model is your 430W psu because there are brands and brands ( a good Antec 400W psu would be better than say an unknown brand $30 650W psu )

Would you need like, a specific model number? It's an Earthwatt, or Earthwatts, I know that much. but if you'd like, I can get the model numberpsman012

Would you need like, a specific model number? It's an Earthwatt, or Earthwatts, I know that much. but if you'd like, I can get the model numberpsman012

Okay, thank you guys. I hate to bother everyone with questions, but I already bought some new RAM, four gigs in fact. Will this help performance at all, as of now?psman012

In some cases, I don't think your ram was what was holding you back in most cases though.