Computer needs replacing.

Upgrading to 16GB is certainly not a bad idea, if you want to stick to the system as such.

The CPU is not really state of the art anymore, but it isn't entirely terrible either. I guess it was solid 10 years ago, but this isn't the 1990s where CPU speeds doubled every 18 months. Upgrading the CPU doesn't make sense imho, as it's a legacy socket, so any processors you get for it will be overpriced.

What that screenshot doesn't tell us is what video card / GPU you have, if any. It might make sense to get a cheap second-hand one, provided the Mainboard has a PCIe slot. Even a GTX 1060 would be severely bottlenecked by the CPU so we're looking for something really low- end that you shouldn't pay more than 50 quid for, if that.

The old crux with upgrading: the components still need to work with each other, and thinking about replacing one usually sets off a cascade and in the end you plug your old hard drive into a completely new system. 😄

To sum up:
  • if you get a better video card it will likely be bottlenecked by the old CPU
  • Upgrading the CPU basically means you need a new Mainboard, too
  • new Mainboard means you also need new RAM (the old modules simply won't fit)
--> at this point, you basically have a new PC
 
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There's no hurry with it. My daughter seems more enthusiastic about helping, but she's heading off to visit friends in Dunfermline early tomorrow, so it can wait. She had the same experience with the 'cascade' when upgrading her own computer (which uses two monitors).

This is very helpful. I can still run ED, just don't have much time to do more than the semi-AFK MM every couple of months, to keep the carrier budget topped up. I created a new account on the PS4 which was earmarked for Rachel, except that she was getting too tired to watch favourite programmes like The Good Doctor and Blue Bloods, never mind a game that could take up hours to grind. I decided, just before Xmas, to move the Viper I'd brought to the Red X in Ngalinn, but I chanced travelling without a fuel scoop, and got stuck in a nearby system (Demsu? Dempu?). Time IRL and instances allowing, I might be able to buy a fuelling limpet and rescue myself, though self destructing is probably the simplest option.
 
Oh come on.... just wrote an elaborate reply, then hit the wrong button and lost it all, .

Okay so long story short: your system should be able to run ED well enough. Not at max settings but reasonable. The weakest link actually seems to be the video card. One option might be to upgrade that first, for instance to an RX 6600 which should cost around 200 quid. Then if you get a new PC at some later point, you can simply move the video card over; it will be good for many years as long as you stick to FullHD.

However, you mentioned accumulating problems in your entry post. What kind of problems are these? Sometimes it's a faulty hardware component, then of course only exchanging that component will help. More often though it's software problems; Windows systems accumulate all sorts of crap over the years. Also, if it's loading times you're bothered about, installing the game on an SSD makes a gigantic difference, if you haven't yet done so.

--

As for your Viper: I'm not sure a cross-platform instance is possible? For all I know the console versions haven't been updated in a while. Anyway, you could just call the Fuel Rats, that's exactly what they are for. And since you're in the Bubble, it should only take a few minutes.
 
I'm on a 1080 GTX and a i7700 (from 2017) 32GB and it runs Odyssey fine at 1080p - I just scale the graphics options to get a decent frame rate.

More memory will help a lot. And maybe a 4060 graphics upgrade or Radeon 7600 cards (~£300 from scan). Both would be a big upgrade over your current card.

1703925916205.png
 
GPU: This is the main thing holding your system back. Secondhand cards you can find cheaply (eg: Geforce GTX 1080 or RTX 2060), or even lower end cards you can still get retail (Arc A750, Radeon RX 6600, Geforce RTX 3060) will leave that GTX 1050 in the dust.
RAM: Having only 8GB total memory could definitely be hamstringing your system. A memory upgrade is relatively inexpensive and should be helpful. You probably don't need another 32GB but 16GB would help a lot. Just ensure the memory modules are always installed in evenly spaced pairs. Installing an odd number will work but they'll run at half bandwidth which is bad for games.
CPU: Not amazing but if you're on a budget it'll manage. Faster GPUs will be held back a bit by your CPU, but a better GPU will improve performance a lot all the same.
 
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The RAM arrived yesterday, but it was 2 times 8GB, totalling 16GB. That wasn't the impression got from my daughter as the goal, so I'm waiting for her to text me back, to clarify.Apparently, 16GB (and even 32GB) is a thing, so it's a possibility that was what she meant, and typing 2 x 16GB (or similar) into Amazon gave me what I got, and I skipped the critical, need to know, information. Haven't had the chance to turn the computer off and check what I've got, currently, and might wait until she gets back. The cards may want returning/exchange, though.

 
The RAM arrived yesterday, but it was 2 times 8GB, totalling 16GB. That wasn't the impression got from my daughter as the goal, so I'm waiting for her to text me back, to clarify.Apparently, 16GB (and even 32GB) is a thing, so it's a possibility that was what she meant, and typing 2 x 16GB (or similar) into Amazon gave me what I got, and I skipped the critical, need to know, information. Haven't had the chance to turn the computer off and check what I've got, currently, and might wait until she gets back. The cards may want returning/exchange, though.

Memory is normally sold in kits of 2 modules that have been pre-tested to run properly together, and the advertised capacity is always for the entire kit. So a 16GB kit will be a pair of 8GB.
That price is about what I would expect for 16GB of that brand and model. It has good timing characteristics for latency. Their 32GB kit costs a little less than double that price.
 
Yeah 2x8GB is fine. I'm not sure exactly what applications you might need 32GB for, but normal office applications and FullHD gaming aren't any of them.
 
You MB may have four slots for RAM, so you may be able to just add those modules in, and keep the existing ones. Depends on the MB and if you can mix sizes. Worth a look at the motherboard manual
 
Im running an old i7-7700 with GTX 1070 16GB, no issues with Odyssey at all with a mixture of Ultra/high graphics.
Also have no problems with foot CZs though i do play Solo/PG.

"No problems" is going need some qualifiers, as I have systems that are dramatically faster that have what I would consider 'problems' with more demanding on foot CZs.

View attachment 379610
Might this help?
A facility my daughter just showed me.We're getting 2 16GB RAMs to improve the memory.

The i5-8400 is an LGA-1151 part, so that board should have a CPU upgrade path, but the CPU still isn't the weakest link in the system. That GTX 1050 is. Only 8GiB of system memory is also a problem.

Does anyone actually upgrade their CPU these days vs getting a new system?

On my main AM4 system I went from a 3900X to a 5800X to a 5800X3D (which was a significant upgrade for gaming at each step), with the replaced CPUs upgrading other builds.

This motherboard has been used with those three CPUs, four different pairs of memory, and three different GPUs since I originally bought it.

The RAM arrived yesterday, but it was 2 times 8GB, totalling 16GB. That wasn't the impression got from my daughter as the goal, so I'm waiting for her to text me back, to clarify.Apparently, 16GB (and even 32GB) is a thing, so it's a possibility that was what she meant, and typing 2 x 16GB (or similar) into Amazon gave me what I got, and I skipped the critical, need to know, information. Haven't had the chance to turn the computer off and check what I've got, currently, and might wait until she gets back. The cards may want returning/exchange, though.


You can run a utility like CPU-Z (extract it, run the x64 exe, post the 'Memory' and 'SPD' tabs) to get the current settings and part numbers of what you've already got. Depending on what you have the most straightforward solution may be to add a single compatible DIMM, or it may be to replace what's already installed.
 
Oh come on.... just wrote an elaborate reply, then hit the wrong button and lost it all, .

Okay so long story short: your system should be able to run ED well enough. Not at max settings but reasonable. The weakest link actually seems to be the video card. One option might be to upgrade that first, for instance to an RX 6600 which should cost around 200 quid. Then if you get a new PC at some later point, you can simply move the video card over; it will be good for many years as long as you stick to FullHD.

However, you mentioned accumulating problems in your entry post. What kind of problems are these? Sometimes it's a faulty hardware component, then of course only exchanging that component will help. More often though it's software problems; Windows systems accumulate all sorts of crap over the years. Also, if it's loading times you're bothered about, installing the game on an SSD makes a gigantic difference, if you haven't yet done so.

--

As for your Viper: I'm not sure a cross-platform instance is possible? For all I know the console versions haven't been updated in a while. Anyway, you could just call the Fuel Rats, that's exactly what they are for. And since you're in the Bubble, it should only take a few minutes.

The only serious problem I've got with my computer is that it doesn't seem to recognise my phone when I plug it in, so I can't upload photos and videos. My phone also needs replacing, though, so that might be a simpler solution.

The other problem is literally rgew* hard-drive being stuffed with files I haven't time to do anything about, so extra storage might be a temp solution. I did buy a Sandisk SSD with 2TB of space, but I don't want to use it til I'm registered, and something is preventing me (or my daughter) from doing that...

*Was this supposed to be 'my'? I oiftren (see?) commit typos, and just use the spellchecker to fix them after. bit (but) rarely that spectacularly. Doesn't help that my monitor isn't right in front of me as I type.
 
You can run a utility like CPU-Z (extract it, run the x64 exe, post the 'Memory' and 'SPD' tabs) to get the current settings and part numbers of what you've already got. Depending on what you have the most straightforward solution may be to add a single compatible DIMM, or it may be to replace what's already installed.
The i5-8400 is an LGA-1151 part, so that board should have a CPU upgrade path, but the CPU still isn't the weakest link in the system. That GTX 1050 is. Only 8GiB of system memory is also a problem.

Thanks. None of this is time crucial (beyond the prospect that I might just drop down dead tomorrow). Everything seems to work for basic MMs, I'm just looking to the future, or trying to. I'd just like to feel that my 'puter is more or less future-proofed mad task capable.

But now the cats need food, so a run to Asda is required. And by luck, son's new computer chair has just been dropped off.
 
On my main AM4 system I went from a 3900X to a 5800X to a 5800X3D (which was a significant upgrade for gaming at each step), with the replaced CPUs upgrading other builds.
Motherboard incompatibility has primarily been an Intel thing. Usually two CPU generations and then the Intel chipset's no good anymore even if the socket hasn't changed.
Meanwhile a B350 AM4 board from 2017 can accept a 5600X with a BIOS update. It still remains to be seen if AM5 will hold out just as long though.
 
Easier to buy a new one than deal with the problems three years have chalked up, and money is tight, so are the two at the bottom good enough to run ED?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=gaming+pcs&crid=3JELH94UL3L9P&sprefix=gaming+pcs,aps,88&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

If there's a forum for such technical queries, please point me there, or move the topic.
That link may well be individual to users of Amazon, it'll be much better to link the individual systems and add a budget.
 
That link may well be individual to users of Amazon,

Yes, sorry, I hadn't realised results would be different. My 'two' included this one, for about £350 - https://www.amazon.co.uk/XUM-Gaming-PC-Desktop-Computer/dp/B09P3VP1P5/ref=sr_1_22?crid=3JELH94UL3L9P&keywords=gaming+pcs&qid=1703847201&sprefix=gaming+pcs,aps,88&sr=8-22&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.23648568-4ba5-49f2-9aa6-31ae75f1e9cd&th=1. The other was a hundred pounds less.
They're probably neither of them ideal. Your suggestion would be the max I'd be willingto pay, but as long as it let me do all the other things I need a home computer for, I could justify the purchase to my [grown-up] children. Normally, my wife would be going down the bespoke route, but she died on the 18th of December last year. One day we were at the Same Day Emergency Clinic at Gloucester Royal, where she was being examined for breathing issues, but told to come back the next day. Following afternoon, she was dead in bed from an abdominal bleed.Now I'm just trying to adjust to the new reality of not being a carer, but rather in paid employment, after 20+ years.

My son thinks an upgrade would do the job (can't recall if that's for memory, graphics card or motherboard, because I'm a little ADD/forgetful), it's just a matter of sourcing the components. Would definitely be cheaper than a new computer, so a family discussion is on the cards, I guess.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Still reading through it, but I may not finish just yet, as I need to pop out.
That kind of money would get you an RTX 3060 Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 WINDFORCE OC Graphics Card - 8GB GDDR6, 128-bit, PCI-E 4.0, 2475MHz Core Clock, 2x DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1a, NVIDIA DLSS 3 - GV-N4060WF2OC-8GD https://amzn.eu/d/0lwgg5g

Or

RTX 3060 v2 ASUS Dual NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 V2 OC Edition 12GB GDDR6 Gaming Graphics Card, PCIe 4.0, 12GB GDDR6 memory, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, 2-slot design, Axial-tech fan design, 0dB technology, and more https://amzn.eu/d/02FUyYj

Or this one from AMD Powercolor Radeon RX 6700 XT Fighter (12GB GDDR6/PCI Express 4.0/2581MHz/16000MHz) https://amzn.eu/d/3n0EAEr

Any of those plus the RAM that you have bought should play the game at a fairly decent clip at decent settings.

Plus, if / when you jump to a new generation build they'll still fit right in.
 
You MB may have four slots for RAM, so you may be able to just add those modules in, and keep the existing ones. Depends on the MB and if you can mix sizes. Worth a look at the motherboard manual

I think I only mentioned to my daughter and son that there were only two slots on the motherboard. She's going to have a look when she gets back from Scotland, and I'm not going to argue with that.

I did switch the existing card for one of the new ones, but I don't know if I can put both in. Waiting on daughter again. Should be possible, shouldn't it..?
 
That kind of money would get you an RTX 3060 Gigabyte NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 WINDFORCE OC Graphics Card - 8GB GDDR6, 128-bit, PCI-E 4.0, 2475MHz Core Clock, 2x DP 1.4, 2x HDMI 2.1a, NVIDIA DLSS 3 - GV-N4060WF2OC-8GD https://amzn.eu/d/0lwgg5g

Or

RTX 3060 v2 ASUS Dual NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 V2 OC Edition 12GB GDDR6 Gaming Graphics Card, PCIe 4.0, 12GB GDDR6 memory, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 1.4a, 2-slot design, Axial-tech fan design, 0dB technology, and more https://amzn.eu/d/02FUyYj

Or this one from AMD Powercolor Radeon RX 6700 XT Fighter (12GB GDDR6/PCI Express 4.0/2581MHz/16000MHz) https://amzn.eu/d/3n0EAEr

Any of those plus the RAM that you have bought should play the game at a fairly decent clip at decent settings.

Plus, if / when you jump to a new generation build they'll still fit right in.

Good to know.
 
I would not recommend playing with integrated graphics. 8 GB of video memory is still too low for a dedicated graphics card in 2024. I would also fit 16 GB of RAM at least.
 
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