What Should Be My Priority Upgrade Here?

I'm considering get a new piece of hardware for my computer, seeing as the thing for what ever reason struggles on games it shouldn't be struggling on at all. Recently been playing GTA IV on about medium settings at like 30 FPs for example. Anyway, here's the specs...

RAM - 8GB DD3
GPU - ATi Radeon HD 6950 2GB
CPU Phenom II X4 955 3.20 GHZ (on a stock cooler)

Which of those three components is more in need of a upgrade would you say?

I'm considering get a new piece of hardware for my computer, seeing as the thing for what ever reason struggles on games it shouldn't be struggling on at all. Recently been playing GTA IV on about medium settings at like 30 FPs for example. Anyway, here's the specs...

RAM - 8GB DD3
GPU - ATi Radeon HD 6950 2GB
CPU Phenom X2 955 3.20 GHZ (on a stock cooler)

Which of those three components is more in need of a upgrade would you say?

sune_Gem

Last I heard GTA IV was locked at 30 frames so I don't think it's your computer, it's the actual software product that sucks.

Out of those 3 components I would upgrade the GPU and OC the CPU (start saving for a mobo/cpu upgrade for next year.)

It's GTA, that doesn't run well on anything really.

If anything buy a hyper 212+

Nothing and you shouldnt be struggling with games with that hardware The one i will highly suggest is getting an aftermarket cooler ( arctic cooler freezer A30 or Coolermaster hyper 212+ are great options ) and overclock that Cpu to 3,6-3.8Ghz adamosmaki

I was thinking it would be a efficient upgrade to just get a better cooler for it, that's why I mentioned it's using the stock cooler.

Don't bother judging your hardware with GTA IV.

Don't bother judging your hardware with GTA IV.

Postmortem123

It's not just that, it's a really odd computer. I can max out Skyrim with everything but AA on, yet I can't max out Team Fortress 2 if AA is on also. It's like it chooses to play some games good and others terribly, no matter what the requirements.

[QUOTE="Postmortem123"]

Don't bother judging your hardware with GTA IV.

sune_Gem

It's not just that, it's a really odd computer. I can max out Skyrim with everything but AA on, yet I can't max out Team Fortress 2 if AA is on also. It's like it chooses to play some games good and others terribly, no matter what the requirements.

Reinstall windows

GTA IV loves quad cores dude. Dual cores is a no no on GTA IV. Thats the root of your problem right there. robertoenrique

Whoops, I didn't mean to type in X2. It's a X4. I got a quad core. :oops:

-

Reinstall windows

NailedGR

Tried that a few times before. Fiddled around in the BIOS and everything and I get the same results. I figure it's either some bottle necking going on or a faulty piece of hardware. That's why I plan to upgrade.

[QUOTE="robertoenrique"]GTA IV loves quad cores dude. Dual cores is a no no on GTA IV. Thats the root of your problem right there. sune_Gem

Whoops, I didn't mean to type in X2. It's a X4. I got a quad core. :oops:

Then OC it, you shouldnt be having any trouble with your hardware and GTA IV. Try pushing it to 3.8ghz, its doable and stable.

[QUOTE="sune_Gem"]

I'm considering get a new piece of hardware for my computer, seeing as the thing for what ever reason struggles on games it shouldn't be struggling on at all. Recently been playing GTA IV on about medium settings at like 30 FPs for example. Anyway, here's the specs...

RAM - 8GB DD3
GPU - ATi Radeon HD 6950 2GB
CPU Phenom X2 955 3.20 GHZ (on a stock cooler)

Which of those three components is more in need of a upgrade would you say?

ZombieKiller7

Last I heard GTA IV was locked at 30 frames so I don't think it's your computer, it's the actual software product that sucks.

Out of those 3 components I would upgrade the GPU and OC the CPU (start saving for a mobo/cpu upgrade for next year.)

[QUOTE="ZombieKiller7"]

[QUOTE="sune_Gem"]

I'm considering get a new piece of hardware for my computer, seeing as the thing for what ever reason struggles on games it shouldn't be struggling on at all. Recently been playing GTA IV on about medium settings at like 30 FPs for example. Anyway, here's the specs...

RAM - 8GB DD3
GPU - ATi Radeon HD 6950 2GB
CPU Phenom X2 955 3.20 GHZ (on a stock cooler)

Which of those three components is more in need of a upgrade would you say?

Grey_Eyed_Elf

Last I heard GTA IV was locked at 30 frames so I don't think it's your computer, it's the actual software product that sucks.

Out of those 3 components I would upgrade the GPU and OC the CPU (start saving for a mobo/cpu upgrade for next year.)

*an extra

[QUOTE="Grey_Eyed_Elf"][QUOTE="ZombieKiller7"]

Last I heard GTA IV was locked at 30 frames so I don't think it's your computer, it's the actual software product that sucks.

Out of those 3 components I would upgrade the GPU and OC the CPU (start saving for a mobo/cpu upgrade for next year.)

NailedGR

*an extra

GTA 4 is one of the most poorly optimized PC ports in existence. Don't use it judge anything.GTA 4 doesn't even necessarily require more powerful hardware to run well. I've heard of it running like crap on really high end setups, and running okay on more modest setups that happened to have the right combination of hardware for its incredibly poor coding. Basically, it's such a bad port, it's a total crapshoot as to whether you'll be able to run it well.

GTA 4 is one of the most poorly optimized PC ports in existence. Don't use it judge anything.GTA 4 doesn't even necessarily require more powerful hardware to run well. I've heard of it running like crap on really high end setups, and running okay on more modest setups that happened to have the right combination of hardware for its incredibly poor coding. Basically, it's such a bad port, it's a total crapshoot as to whether you'll be able to run it well.

bigfoot2045

I know, I just used GTA IV as the most recent example. Like I mentioned in an earlier post. My PC will play some quality games fine then play some less than stellar looking game at half the frame rate. It's just so random. Either way though I'm guessing the majority here are saying I should get a better CPU cooler and overclock it safely?

Yes get an aftermarket cooler and OC that Phenom 2 to 3.6+ghz or more, all you need to do is up the cpu multiplier. GTA 4 is a finicky game , my old Athlon X2 6000 ran the game just fine while a buddy of mine had a E6600 and had issues running it with same gpu as me.

and my phenom II x6 runs it just fine. if you want to talk gta talk EFLC preformance its about a billion times more consistent and as a result can be played on jsut about any recent gen dual-core

I run GTA4 perfectly with that same CPU. It's odd because when I changed motherboards, it fixed the stuttering I used to get. GTA4 would run terribly before, now I can run it maxed out without a single hitch. Idk what the framerate is but it's damn good no matter what settings I use, max view distance, all that jazz.

Your CPU and RAM is fine. If anything, maybe you can look into a new GPU or mobo. If you've got a cheap mobo, it could have compatibility issues with some games in my experience, but don't bother replacing it unless you can justify it with other features you want.