Does this qualify as a "gaming rig"?

[VirtualLarry]

I gave my buddy another PC, it had these parts in it:

Athlon II X4 2.8Ghz
2x4GB DDR2-800
Asus AM2+ micro-ATX mobo, low-end (NV 6150 chipset)
MSI GT740 1GB GDDR5
120GB SSD
cheap iMicro case
don't remember what PSU, hope it wasn't one that came with the case, LOL.
Legit Win10, upgraded from Win7.

This was built new a few years ago (like maybe 3-4 years ago), been in storage since, and attempted to turn into a "gaming rig" by maxing the RAM, adding the SSD, and adding the GT740.

I told him it was a 3-year(+)-equivalent old gaming rig.

So, today he sold it to another buddy of his for a few hundred.

What kind of games can it play? Surely, if APU rigs can play MOBAs and e-sports games, this rig should be better than that.

I kind of wonder if it would play Witcher III, or GTA V, maybe at 30FPS Low, @ 900P? (I read somewhere of someone playing GTA V on a Core2Quad, with a sufficiently-powerful GPU.)

Secondarily, does this rig have enough CPU grunt to make it worthwhile to upgrade the GPU? Maybe an RX 470?

Edit: I think that it should certainly be able to play GTA IV. I build a similar AthII X4 rig for another buddy, some time ago, with a 9800GT(X?), and it played GTA IV fine.

Edit: Found this thread:
https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/what-games-with-gt730-gt740.218659/

 

[XavierMace]

How do you build a new computer a "few" years ago with a nearly 7 year old CPU?

That doesn't meet the minimum requirements for Witcher III or GTA V which in my book means no, it's not a gaming rig. At least not any more.

 

[VirtualLarry]

http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=3443&game=The Witcher III

Well, for Witcher III, the CPU is adequate, but the GPU is below the minimum. So if they upgraded the GPU, they could probably play it. (minimum is a 3.0Ghz AMD Phenom II)

Edit: More than adequate CPU and GPU for GTA V.

http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=1308&game=Grand Theft Auto V
Minimum is a Q6600 and a 9800GT.

I guess it's a gaming rig, then. Not a great one, I admit, but a minimal one. OTOH, for $200, you're not going to get even a minimum-spec current gaming rig (i3 + GTX1060 is like $500-600).

Edit: Sorry, I should have looked up the specs of those two games in the OP. Guess I was lazy.

I was thinking that it might possibly play Overwatch, at 900P Low.

Edit: Though, just meeting the minimum specs means that the games are probably still unplayable with those specs, or maybe need to be set to 1024x768 Low or something.

I dunno, I figure if they stick to 2012-ish games and earlier, they should be alright.

Not sure what the minimum specs for WoW are these days. One of the questions that my buddy's buddy had was, "will this play WoW".

You used to be able to play WoW on a Potato. But as I understand it, it has gotten more graphically heavy with recent expansions. (Not even sure what the most recent expansion is.)

 

[Father Torque]

That system is ancient but you can still do modern gaming on it if he ditches that video card .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKgePlu6z9E

I upgraded a similar system recently from :

phenom1 X3 2.3 GHZ to phenom 2 quad 3.0 ghz
4 gb to 8 gb
HDD to SSD
HD 4850 512 mb to R7 260x 2gb

Plays Warhammer Vermintide great. Just dont expect 4k,ultra settings 120 fps. Dont expect 1080p ,high settings, 60 fps.

 

[bystander36]

The main thing is the GT740 isn't a gaming card. You can tell that even Nvidia doesn't think so with the "GT", rather than "GTX" prefix. That doesn't mean you couldn't do some light gaming with it.

 

[AdamK47]

I had to check what year the post was made after reading the specs. I thought this was a necro thread.

 

[XavierMace]

http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=3443&game=The Witcher III

Well, for Witcher III, the CPU is adequate, but the GPU is below the minimum. So if they upgraded the GPU, they could probably play it. (minimum is a 3.0Ghz AMD Phenom II)

Edit: More than adequate CPU and GPU for GTA V.

http://www.game-debate.com/games/index.php?g_id=1308&game=Grand Theft Auto V
Minimum is a Q6600 and a 9800GT.

I guess it's a gaming rig, then. Not a great one, I admit, but a minimal one. OTOH, for $200, you're not going to get even a minimum-spec current gaming rig (i3 + GTX1060 is like $500-600).

I haven't had an AMD since C2D came out but a quick search shows the listed minimum 3.0Ghz Phenom II x4 is faster than your 2.6Ghz Athlon II x4. Am I missing something here?

But anyways, my stance has always been that recommended requirements are the minimum requirements. Every game forum around is filled with people sitting at the minimum listed requirements and complaining the game runs like poo. Especially on console ports. I also think you might be over estimating the performance of the Athlon II. The Athlon II (assuming we are talking the 630 based on your specified clock speed) has a bit of an edge vs a stock clocked Q6600 but as we all know the Q6600's overclocked like champs. My vote would be GTA V would probably be playable on low settings. I don't think Witcher III would be playable. It also doesn't meet the minimum requirements for a variety of other newer titles. Forza Horizons 3, Doom, Battlefield 1, or Call of Duty Infinite Warfare. If he's an MMO and/or Strategy Gamer he's probably fine.

In my mind at least, when somebody tells me they want to buy a gaming system, I take that to mean a system that will run current games reliably even if at low settings. That system will not. The fact you can't get a current system that meets those requirements for $200 is moot. If I need a car that can carry 4 people but I can only afford a bicycle, that doesn't make a bicycle a suitable choice.

 

[VirtualLarry]

That system is ancient but you can still do modern gaming on it if he ditches that video card .
I upgraded a similar system recently from :
phenom1 X3 2.3 GHZ to phenom 2 quad 3.0 ghz
4 gb to 8 gb
HDD to SSD
HD 4850 512 mb to R7 260x 2gb
Plays Warhammer Vermintide great. Just dont expect 4k,ultra settings 120 fps. Dont expect 1080p ,high settings, 60 fps.

That's good to hear.

I had to check what year the post was made after reading the specs. I thought this was a necro thread.

LOL. Now you know "how the other half lives".

But anyways, my stance has always been that recommended requirements are the minimum requirements. Every game forum around is filled with people sitting at the minimum listed requirements and complaining the game runs like poo. Especially on console ports. I also think you might be over estimating the performance of the Athlon II. The Athlon II (assuming we are talking the 630 based on your specified clock speed) has a bit of an edge vs a stock clocked Q6600 but as we all know the Q6600's overclocked like champs. My vote would be GTA V would probably be playable on low settings. I don't think Witcher III would be playable. It also doesn't meet the minimum requirements for a variety of other newer titles. Forza Horizons 3, Doom, Battlefield 1, or Call of Duty Infinite Warfare. If he's an MMO and/or Strategy Gamer he's probably fine.

Point duly noted.

In my mind at least, when somebody tells me they want to buy a gaming system, I take that to mean a system that will run current games reliably even if at low settings. That system will not. The fact you can't get a current system that meets those requirements for $200 is moot. If I need a car that can carry 4 people but I can only afford a bicycle, that doesn't make a bicycle a suitable choice.

Well, the person didn't come to me. I basically souped-up that old but new parts rig, into a pseudo-gaming-rig, for my friend to help ease him into PC gaming, since he expressed interest (he's a console gamer, with a PS3) in PC gaming. I wasn't trying to set him up with a PCMR rig right away, especially not for free.

So my buddy, never used this rig, and sold it to one of his buddies, because they were an Xbox gamer, looking to get into PC gaming. (I presume some of those games that he wants to play are the "buy once, run on XBO or PC" types.)

So, although I don't think it's a bad value in general ($200, for a fully-decked out PC, with a legit Win10 64-bit license, an SSD, and an almost-gaming-grade video card that goes for $90 by itself), it may still not measure up to an ideal starter gaming rig.

Of course, for a modern gaming rig, at the very least, I would probably go with a Skylake i3-6100, 8GB DDR4-3000, and a GTX1060, for 1080P gaming on a budget. With a Windows 10 license, that's probably around $600-700.

Edit: For comparison, the "gaming rig" that I just upgraded for myself, with an i5-6400 BLCK OCed, has that CPU, 4x4GB DDR4-2400 RAM, a B150 K4/Hyper (BLCK OC) board, a Radeon SSD, and an RX 460 4GB Nitro card. (The video card obviously could use an upgrade.)

Also, a DIYPC mid-tower case, an EVGA 600W PSU, and a Zalman CNPS5x cooler.

Almost amusingly, that cost me over $700 for this rig.

Edit: Don't knock the Radeon SSD. It's an R3 model, and yes, I know that AMD doesn't actually make those, they are mfg'ed by a third-party. But it really does perform quite well, especially for a 120GB size.

 

[Peter Kendrick]

You should at least buy a second generation i5 machine with all the supporting components. I have a friend who is on i5-2400 and Radeon 390 series GPU and play every game with good FPS.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I have a Lenovo pre-built with a Sandy Bridge 3.2 or maybe 3.4Ghz i3 CPU, 2x4GB DDR3, and a 1TB HDD, and Windows 10 legit, with a 750ti 2GB GDDR5 card in it, for sale.

But this is my buddy's buddy, who wanted to buy it from him. *shrug*. I gave him the PC, he can do what he wants with it.

Edit: Btw, welcome to the forum.

Edit: Unless you were suggesting to get a refurb pre-built with an i5-2400/2500/3470 CPU, add 4GB of RAM, and add a GTX1050ti low-profile card. Which might have been a better value for him.

 

[sweenish]

I see that as a way to turn people off of PC gaming.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I see that as a way to turn people off of PC gaming.

So, you're more of a "PCMR or die!" person?

Edit: That's why I was asking what games this rig would play. I know that it won't play AAA 2016 titles, like Watch Dogs 2. But it should play Skyrim, I think, and I looked up the specs for WoW last night, it should be able to play that too.

 

[ImpulsE69]

You do realize what we tell you it will play and what your buddy will WANT to play are two different things right? I would just flat out tell him not to expect it to run all the latest and greatest or he's going to constantly be on you to 'fix' his slow computer.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

It's a real stretch of the definition to call this a "gaming rig". I suppose, technically, it can play games. Most online MMO's, flash games, and any pre-2010 AAA title it should do fine.

 

[Rifter]

get a modern mid range GPU and it should do alright, like a 1050 or rx 460/70.

 

[sweenish]

So, you're more of a "PCMR or die!" person?

Edit: That's why I was asking what games this rig would play. I know that it won't play AAA 2016 titles, like Watch Dogs 2. But it should play Skyrim, I think, and I looked up the specs for WoW last night, it should be able to play that too.

I'm not, my post history would show that, but if someone is going to try a thing, legitimately try it.

I'm not talking dropping $2K+, but a $500-$700 actual gaming PC.

It's no different than people trying sub-par laptops/Android phones, getting frustrated, and saying "screw it I'll just buy an Apple." Had they spent that kind of money at first, maybe they wouldn't have got frustrated. This rig is lackluster to the point that they will not be turned on to PC gaming at all, and likely just be all the more sure to stick with consoles.

I'd be happy to be wrong, but that's usually how it goes down.

 

[escrow4]

You paid $700 for a teeny tiny 120GB SSD that wouldn't hold my music collection, a spastic bottom barrel i5 6400 and a poky 460? Isn't that worth $500 in the magic USA where tech is dirt cheap? And that OP box, the GT 740 can't even accelerate HEVC it would melt under any "serious" gaming. Its the equivalent of a 5 year old gaming rig, sure. At PS2 settings

 

[VirtualLarry]

I'm not, my post history would show that, but if someone is going to try a thing, legitimately try it.

I'm not talking dropping $2K+, but a $500-$700 actual gaming PC.

It's no different than people trying sub-par laptops/Android phones, getting frustrated, and saying "screw it I'll just buy an Apple." Had they spent that kind of money at first, maybe they wouldn't have got frustrated. This rig is lackluster to the point that they will not be turned on to PC gaming at all, and likely just be all the more sure to stick with consoles.

I'd be happy to be wrong, but that's usually how it goes down.

I see what you're saying. To me, $700 is PCMR territory, but maybe I'm being less than realistic. It also seems like the minimum that you would need to spend on a gaming PC, to play "todays" releases.

To be sure, I didn't give this to my buddy to sell to his buddy, I just gave it to him to try out PC gaming, with some older games, to see if he liked the whole PC gaming idea. But now my buddy sold it to his buddy, and now his buddy want to play WoW on it, among others. So really, the onus should be on him, but he's certainly no PC gaming expert, and was basically going on my say-so that it was a "gaming rig". I DID explain to him that the parts were like 5 years old, even though they were technically "new", since the PC had been in storage for a few years.

It's kind of like buying your HS kid a "junker" for a starter car, before you buy them a Ferrari for their 40th birthday. (Or letting them buy their own!)

 

[VirtualLarry]

You paid $700 for a teeny tiny 120GB SSD that wouldn't hold my music collection, a spastic bottom barrel i5 6400 and a poky 460? Isn't that worth $500 in the magic USA where tech is dirt cheap? And that OP box, the GT 740 can't even accelerate HEVC it would melt under any "serious" gaming. Its the equivalent of a 5 year old gaming rig, sure. At PS2 settings

Err, that's because it IS a "five year old gaming rig". Technology-wise, at least.

And for what I paid for my i5-6400 gaming rig, here's a breakdown (in $USD):
Intel i5-6400... $180.50 Ewiz on ebay
ASRock B150 K4/Hyper... $119 Ewiz on ebay
2x 8GB (2x4GB) DDR4-2400... 2x $35 Newegg on ebay, $70 total
Radeon R3 SSD... $45 Newegg on ebay
Radeon RX 460 4GB Sappire Nitro... $145 Newegg on ebay
Zalman CNPS5x... $25 (Newegg, either on ebay, or on their regular site)
EVGA 600W... $33 BestBuy on ebay
DIYPC mid-tower ATX case... $30 Newegg on ebay

total: Hmm, I come out with $647.50. But that's before the Windows 10 license. So yeah, my estimate of $735 wasn't too far off.

 

[XavierMace]

I see what you're saying. To me, $700 is PCMR territory, but maybe I'm being less than realistic.

You are. I'd consider $700 a good entry point for a basic new gaming computer. That's hardly PCMR territory. If your budget is roughly the cost of a console, you're better off getting a console.

I know we clash at times, but the general point I was trying to get across is not being able to afford the "correct" tool for the job doesn't make the tool you have something it's not. And I don't mean that in the slightest bit demeaning way. Your junker car analogy works perfectly. It's a junker car, not a Ferrari. There's nothing wrong with that, it is what it is. My first car was a Geo Metro I paid $500 for. But if they're asking for a Sports Car to take to track days and get a junker, they're going to be disappointed. If your budget doesn't allow for the correct tool, wait and save up until it does. My brother just finished building his first computer. It was purchased one part at a time over the last 6 months to a year. That's not exactly ideal, but it was the easiest way for him to get the computer he wanted (6700k + GTX 1070 + 4K monitor).

If I bought a "gaming" computer and was immediately given the caveat of a list of games I can't play, I would immediately question why I just bought the new computer. I am not a "have to run everything on max" kind of guy, but I do consider 1080p a requirement, even if that means on low settings if for no other reason than once you get to the point of having to lower your resolution you start questioning why you're playing on PC when you can play at 1080p on a console.

Unfortunately computers, especially low-mid end ones don't age well and I make sure people understand that when they talk to me about buying or building a computer. Spending more money up front ends up saving you a good deal money in the long run as well as providing you a much better user experience for a much longer time. I'm still running my 3770K with 16Gb of RAM that I picked up at release (coming up on 5 years ago) because I haven't had a compelling reason to upgrade beyond my ego. I've done a couple of video card upgrades (never the top tier card) once the games I wanted to play wouldn't play smoothly at 1080p on high but that's pretty much it and it does that without issue on the games I play including Forza and Division. Only reason I've been looking at upgrading is I was planning on moving to 4K over the holidays but alas that didn't happen. I bring this up because of the statement that the computer in question is a 5 year old gaming rig. Buying a new video card every few years is far more tolerable to the "entry level" PC Gamer crowd than replacing the whole computer. If somebody tells me they want a gaming computer but all they can spend is $400, I tell them they are out of luck.

 

[VirtualLarry]

If somebody tells me they want a gaming computer but all they can spend is $400, I tell them they are out of luck.

Point duly noted.

To put this all into perspective, I have another buddy, that is a semi-hardcore PC gamer (years of WoW, and other MMOs), and he's still rocking a Q9400 with 8GB, and a GTX460.

I guess the GT740 isn't quite as good as the GTX460, even though it's newer, but the 2.8Ghz Athlon II X4 should easily be the equal of the 2.66Ghz Q9400.

I think that dropping in a GTX950, and maybe a Phenom II X4 950 / 960, might perk it up a bit more.

 

[Denithor]

That machine is so old and slow, especially in GPU, it could easily turn the guy off from PC gaming. If he's used to the console experience and fires up any newer game on that thing, he's going to run right back to the console.

Sad thing is, a decent used machine can be put together for like $250 or less these days. OEM box of your choice with a Sandy/Ivy or even Haswell quad can be had for $100-120, typically with 4GB RAM or even more. Drop in a 1050/Ti for another $100-130 and maybe a refurbished SSD if budget allows and you're done.

No, this isn't optimal for VR or 4K gaming, but it's fine for typical 1080p use and beats the pants off the machine you described above.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I actually put one of those together, as a build, for someone on the forum.

3.2Ghz quad Ivy, 4GB / 250GB HDD, tower case with proprietary PSU, $259

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIAAJ24D78506&ignorebbr=1

Then add a 1050ti 4GB for $160 (not $100), $20 for another 4GB DDR3, and $40 for an SSD.

That's like $480 bucks total. Again, over twice the price of the rig in question. Granted, probably twice or more the performance, too.

Edit: If you have a cheaper source of quad-core OEM rigs, feel free to drop some knowledge in this thread. I posted some of what I know.:
http://www.portvapes.co.uk/?id=Latest-exam-1Z0-876-Dumps&exid=threads/need-a-pc-for-my-parents.2496098/

 

[VirtualLarry]

LOL. Just thought of something. Hope my buddy's buddy doesn't try to come back to me for warranty service or something. That would be a hoot.

(I don't give any warranty with free PCs, btw.)

 

[Headfoot]

I guess it can probably play runescape