Need help with an upgrade

katewk · Jan 18, 2012

Hi, Am trying to upgrade my lane Gateway AMD Phenom™ 9500, 64-bit quad core processor, Motherboard-ECS MCP61PM-GM 2.1, running 4GB Ram...I am needing to upgrade so that I can actually run through Star Wars The Old Republic without hanging up in every instance. I need to know if I can simply replace and upgrade the CPU and what would be suggested or if it would be better to get a new Motherboard as well. I don't have a lot of cash and this will run the game but it hangs badly at times and well, the look of the game is low tech to be sure! Any help would be appreciated..

Thanks

mstenholm · Jan 18, 2012

I'm not a gamer but I know the first question/request from the gamers here would be for you to fill out your system spec: PSU/GPU and so on so I suggest that you do that.

KingPing · Jan 18, 2012

The processor is fine. You don't mention what GPU you have, and most likely it's what you will need to upgrade.

SWTOR system requirements:

Processor:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ or better
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz or better

RAM:

Windows XP: 1.5GB RAM
Windows Vista and Windows 7: 2GB RAM

Note: PCs using a built-in graphical chipset are recommended to have 2GB of RAM.

Star Wars: The Old Republic requires a video card that has a minimum of 256MB of on-board RAM as well as support for Shader 3.0 or better. Examples include:

ATI X1800 or better
nVidia 7800 or better
Intel 4100 Integrated Graphics or better

mstenholm · Jan 18, 2012

KingPing said:
The processor is fine. You don't mention what GPU you have, and most likely it's what you will need to upgrade.

SWTOR system requirements:

Processor:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ or better
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.0GHz or better

RAM:

Windows XP: 1.5GB RAM
Windows Vista and Windows 7: 2GB RAM

Note: PCs using a built-in graphical chipset are recommended to have 2GB of RAM.

Star Wars: The Old Republic requires a video card that has a minimum of 256MB of on-board RAM as well as support for Shader 3.0 or better. Examples include:

ATI X1800 or better
nVidia 7800 or better
Intel 4100 Integrated Graphics or better

And hence buy a GPU that potentinal draws more amps that OPs PSU can handle. PSU data is vital. If it is a ready build PC the PSU is crapy and not ready for a more power full/hungry GPU. Tell us about your PSU and good advices will come.

Edit: Don’t think that OP has a real interest in a TPU advice. Left and did not fill out SS.

Dent1 · Jan 18, 2012

katewk said:
Hi, Am trying to upgrade my lane Gateway AMD Phenom™ 9500, 64-bit quad core processor, Motherboard-ECS MCP61PM-GM 2.1, running 4GB Ram...I am needing to upgrade so that I can actually run through Star Wars The Old Republic without hanging up in every instance. I need to know if I can simply replace and upgrade the CPU and what would be suggested or if it would be better to get a new Motherboard as well. I don't have a lot of cash and this will run the game but it hangs badly at times and well, the look of the game is low tech to be sure! Any help would be appreciated..

Thanks

OK I've got some good news.

Star Wars The Old Republic isnt that intensive. You don't need a new CPU, the hangs are probably software related i.e. driver, registry etc.

To improve general gaming performance you can get away with upgrading the video card alone, maybe a PSU too. Considering that Star Wars The Old Republic is the only game you are playing (is that correct?) a full upgrade isnt necessary.

Can you please tell us what video card you are currently running?

eidairaman1 · Jan 18, 2012

First Gen Phenom do have the TLB bug, but bios code should be updated that fixes that, along with OS patching for XP-7...

Depending on Video card you may or may not have to get a better power supply.

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

Thanks for quick answers

I have posted my system info, was in a rush earlier....the Vid card is really minimal and knew I needed to replace that but not sure with which one at this point...I had been told a new cpu might be a good upgrade too...I play WOW, which runs fine...SWTOR is a real issue however....not pretty. I have consoles for other games so these are the main ones I play on PC atm till other ones arrive.

Jetster · Jan 19, 2012

Your system specs aren't showing. Most likely because you haven't posted enough. List them in a post including everything. Right down to the make and model of your power supply, its important. Include any extra plugs it has like a PCI-e 6 pin also.

This is what is listed http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/gateway-gt5674/4507-3118_7-32976274.html?tag=mncol;subnav

Just confirm that you have a PCI-e x16 slot and the power supply info

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

they are showing now....and yes, that config from cnet is what I have basically...thanks again

Jetster · Jan 19, 2012

Ok so you dont have enough power to run a real card. So your looking at a PSU and a graphics card. What is your budget?

And you didn't confirm that you have a PCI-e X 16 slot. You need to look at it and google it to see what one looks like

eidairaman1 · Jan 19, 2012

can we get a snapshot of the case and when its open, side view and rear view to see how the power supply is mounted (OEMs tend to be proprietary)

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

Yes, it does have the PCI-e x 16 slot

eidairaman1 · Jan 19, 2012

What is your Spending Budget.

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

pic of inside

insides

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

back of pc

back

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

look at the dust, wow...I just cleaned it 2 days ago...but I have big, hairy dogs...

eidairaman1 · Jan 19, 2012

Recommendation is to either have a vaccum nearby, filters on your intake fans, or move the case off the floor.

Definitly a top mount Powersupply, ATX standard.

here is the specs of the motherboard you have,

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/Shared/4006254R/4006254Rsp2.shtml

you should be able to get drivers from Gateway Or Nvidia for the Chipset and Realtek for the Lan and Audio

www.amd.com for your current video card or newer if you decide to go with AMD for the video card.

http://www.e4allupgraders.info/dir1/motherboards/socketam2/ecsMCP61PM-GM.shtml

http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/f75/need-help-new-video-card-183250/

What Operating system are You Using and what is your budget?

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

os

using win 7 home premium, my budget is a couple of hundred, 300 at the most, my birthday is coming up so I can ask for that!

eidairaman1 · Jan 19, 2012

katewk said:
using win 7 home premium, my budget is a couple of hundred, 300 at the most, my birthday is coming up so I can ask for that!

Good 650 watt powersupplies run for less than 100 dollars, that leaves room for a Middle Ground video card, such as a 6670-6790, maybe even 6850/6870

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

that sounds good....I knew I needed to upgrade power supply and that card would certainly be better than what I am running...I will look into it.

eidairaman1 · Jan 19, 2012

katewk said:
that sounds good....I knew I needed to upgrade power supply and that card would certainly be better than what I am running...I will look into it.

keep the old card around as a backup though.

Jetster · Jan 19, 2012

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Official Newegg Promo Codes, Coupon Code, Coupons,...

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

Great help!

Thanks for all the good advice, am ordering my power and card tonite! Thanks for the info on rebates and products with Newegg too....you guys are great!

Jetster · Jan 19, 2012

Let us know how it eats up Star Wars The Old Republic when your done

katewk · Jan 19, 2012

Will do! I am looking forward to it!

System Name	Gateway GT5658E
Processor	2.20 gigahertz AMD Phenom 9500 Quad-Core
Motherboard	ECS MCP61PM-GM 2.1
Cooling	boring
Memory	4 G
Video Card(s)	ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT [Display adapter]
Storage	1000.21 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity 754.80 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
Display(s)	LCD Viewsonic
Case	Standard Gateway
Audio Device(s)	ATI High Definition Audio Device Realtek High Definition Audio
Power Supply	300

System Name	The work PC /2700x/5950x
Processor	3900X stock/ 2700x stock/ 5950x 4200 MHz fixed @ 1,056-1,08V
Motherboard	Gigabyte AORUS Master X570/2xMSI X470 M7 AC
Cooling	Custom WC XSPC RX480, Laing DDC, XSPC Laing DDC Top V3 and EK Velocity/NH15/NH-U12S SE
Memory	32 GB Viper 3600/14 /16 GB Trident Z F4-4000C18D-16GTZSW 3600 /32 GB G Skill Flare CL14 3400
Video Card(s)	2070 Super X MSI/GTX 970 MSI/ GTX 970 MSI
Storage	1 TB SSD+500 GB NVMe / 500 GB SSD/ 2 TB 990 Pro
Display(s)	Dell UltraSharp U2518D/2408WFP
Case	Corsair 800D / Lian test bench/NZXT 500
Power Supply	AX 850 Titanium/AX 860i/AX 760
Software	Dual boot/Win 10 / Linux / Win 10+Linux

System Name	Classy Gal
Processor	i7 2600K
Motherboard	Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3-B3
Cooling	CM Hyper 212 plus
Memory	16GB Kingston Hyper X
Video Card(s)	EVGA GTX1070 FE
Storage	2x120GB Vertex 3 - 1x1TB WD
Display(s)	LG 23" 1920x1080
Case	Coolermaster Cosmos S
Audio Device(s)	Creative SB Titanium HD
Power Supply	Seasonic M12II 750W
Software	Win10 / Linux Mint

System Name	The work PC /2700x/5950x
Processor	3900X stock/ 2700x stock/ 5950x 4200 MHz fixed @ 1,056-1,08V
Motherboard	Gigabyte AORUS Master X570/2xMSI X470 M7 AC
Cooling	Custom WC XSPC RX480, Laing DDC, XSPC Laing DDC Top V3 and EK Velocity/NH15/NH-U12S SE
Memory	32 GB Viper 3600/14 /16 GB Trident Z F4-4000C18D-16GTZSW 3600 /32 GB G Skill Flare CL14 3400
Video Card(s)	2070 Super X MSI/GTX 970 MSI/ GTX 970 MSI
Storage	1 TB SSD+500 GB NVMe / 500 GB SSD/ 2 TB 990 Pro
Display(s)	Dell UltraSharp U2518D/2408WFP
Case	Corsair 800D / Lian test bench/NZXT 500
Power Supply	AX 850 Titanium/AX 860i/AX 760
Software	Dual boot/Win 10 / Linux / Win 10+Linux

System Name	My baby
Processor	Athlon II X4 620 @ 3.5GHz, 1.45v, NB @ 2700Mhz, HT @ 2700Mhz - 24hr prime95 stable
Motherboard	Asus M4A785TD-V EVO
Cooling	Sonic Tower Rev 2 with 120mm Akasa attached, Akasa @ Front, Xilence Red Wing 120mm @ Rear
Memory	8 GB G.Skills 1600Mhz
Video Card(s)	ATI ASUS Crossfire 5850
Storage	Crucial MX100 SATA 2.5 SSD
Display(s)	Lenovo ThinkVision 27" (LEN P27h-10)
Case	Antec VSK 2000 Black Tower Case
Audio Device(s)	Onkyo TX-SR309 Receiver, 2x Kef Cresta 1, 1x Kef Center 20c
Power Supply	OCZ StealthXstream II 600w, 4x12v/18A, 80% efficiency.
Software	Windows 10 Professional 64-bit

System Name	PCGOD
Processor	AMD FX 8350@ 5.0GHz
Motherboard	Asus TUF 990FX Sabertooth R2 2901 Bios
Cooling	Scythe Ashura, 2×BitFenix 230mm Spectre Pro LED (Blue,Green), 2x BitFenix 140mm Spectre Pro LED
Memory	16 GB Gskill Ripjaws X 2133 (2400 OC, 10-10-12-20-20, 1T, 1.65V)
Video Card(s)	AMD Radeon 290 Sapphire Vapor-X
Storage	Samsung 840 Pro 256GB, WD Velociraptor 1TB
Display(s)	NEC Multisync LCD 1700V (Display Port Adapter)
Case	AeroCool Xpredator Evil Blue Edition
Audio Device(s)	Creative Labs Sound Blaster ZxR
Power Supply	Seasonic 1250 XM2 Series (XP3)
Mouse	Roccat Kone XTD
Keyboard	Roccat Ryos MK Pro
Software	Windows 7 Pro 64

System Name	Juliette // My HTPC
Processor	Intel i7 9700K // AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
Motherboard	ASUS Prime Z390X-A // ASRock B550 ITX-AC
Cooling	Noctua NH-U12 Black // Stock
Memory	Corsair DDR4 3600 32gb //G.SKILL Trident Z Royal Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 3600
Video Card(s)	ASUS RTX4070 OC// ASUS RTX 4060 OC
Storage	Samsung 970 EVO NVMe 1Tb, Intel 665p Series M.2 2280 1TB // Samsung 1Tb SSD
Display(s)	ASUS VP348QGL 34" Quad HD 3440 x 1440 // 55" LG 4K SK8000 Series
Case	Seasonic SYNCRO Q7// Silverstone Granada GD05
Audio Device(s)	Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 // HDMI to Samsung HW-R650 sound bar
Power Supply	Seasonic SYNCRO 750 W // CORSAIR Vengeance 650M
Mouse	G903 and a Master Mouse MM710/No mouse, MS game copntroller
Keyboard	EVGA / Logitech K400
Software	Windows 11 Pro // Windows 10 Pro

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