Why is my computer poo, and how do I unpoo it?

[AOD_FatherChristmas]

Hi AOD,

I've had my computer more or less unchanged for the past 5 years or so, and the parts I built it with were already not the toppest of the line when I got them.
My computer doesn't run as well as I would like it to, especially for Planetside.

A few examples of the problems I experience:

• If I don't set TS priority to "High" in Task Manager while playing PS2, everyone bots out super hard on my end
• Only able to get 60 FPS occasionally on PS2 when there's literally no one around
• My FPS is more often struggling to peak at 30, and almost always drops to below 20 in moderate-to-large size fights in PS2
• Things load really slow, frames drop, and audio transmits really poorly if I'm running PS2 and a Discord voice channel
• When using my Medic tool to heal/revive, or my Engineer tool to repair, there's usually about a 3-7 second delay between when I click my mouse button to do the action, and when the action actually starts occuring. The animation on my end will start up, but the healing/repairing/reviving will not (This might be the most annoying problem I have)
• My computer will just sometimes reboot unexpectedly. It used to happen very frequently, then I turned off some setting about automatic reboots, but it still happens occasionally (happened while playing Minecraft, Dead Cells, but surprisingly most rarely running PS2)

Things to note that may be unusual/problems but I'm not sure:

• Opening up Planetside, selecting the character, and loading into the Hub area (Sanctuary) takes several minutes, and task manager says my "Disk" is running at 90%+ the whole time
• Once I'm in game, Task Manager says my CPU is running at about 100% the entire time
• GPU is listed as running at ~80% - 100% most of the time, only somtimes dropping below 50%

Here's my build:

Motherboard: MSi A78M-E35
PSU: Corsair CX 750
Hard Drive: Western Digital 1TB HDD
Memory: 2x8GB DDR3 1600MHz
CPU: AMD Athlon X4 760K Quad Core
GPU: Asus HD 7850 DirectCUII V2 (Task Manager lists it as AMD Radeon HD 7800 Series)

Current PS2 Graphics Settings:
https://imgur.com/a/UjQRyGA

Basically I'm looking to upgrade my build at least somewhat, but I don't have a ton of money to do so. I need help figuring out which part(s) are most in need of replacing, how much it might cost to do those things, etc.
Significantly upgrading my CPU would require me to also get a new motherboard that would be compatible, but I won't rule out that option if it's really what needs to be done.

Please let me know if there's any other information I should include. Thank you so so much for any and all help, I really appreciate it in advance!

~FatherChristmas

[AOD_Traveler431]

Planetside is a very cpu intensive game. While the graphic card certainly matters, you can get dramatic increases by keeping the same video card and getting a newer CPU(i just did this). Your video card is a bit older, so your results will vary. Video cards right now are almost impossible to find, and when you do, they are inflated to 50% and more beyond MSRP. With this in mind, you are probably stuck with that card for the forseable future, until the GPU situation is sorted out. Depending on on how limited you are fund wise, the best current option in my opinion would be to get an SSD. It will make the computer just respond faster overall. No, it wont increase your FPS by much, if at all, but there is no one component that really will. Even a newer card will be bound by your current CPU. So, with all that said here are my thoughts on upgrades you could consider.

Solid State Drive - SSD
Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SSD
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...id-state-drive


Obviously the most expensive would be the CPU/MoBo/RAM setup. Most things are on DDR4 right now, so even you would be upgrading all 3 together.
Intel Core i3 - $100
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...oxed-processor
MSI B460M PRO Intel LGA 1200 mATX Motherboard - $80
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...tx-motherboard
G.Skill Aegis 16GB - $57
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...6g---black-red

So, for about - $230 you would be able to replace all 3 components. Obviously, you could step up on the processor to an i5 for another $40-50 or so, but the above would be a dramatic increase in what you have now.

Video card? Not going to find one, you may want to consider used on ebay. Obviously this is a roll of the dice. I am currently waiting until things sort themselves out to upgrade mine. Below is an example, just food for thought
https://www.ebay.com/itm/XFX-Radeon-...oAAOSwGKJfzV1s

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. I used intel because right now, bang for the buck in that range, I think its a great deal. You could definitely do something similar with AMD.

[AOD_Anvil]

I always recommend Intel. I agree, your CPU is the poomaker here and your hard drive isn't helping. If you are willing to pay the shipping I have a brand new 480GB SSD of be willing to gift to you. I bought it for a project but I ended up not needing it. I'm in Ontario, Canada so I'm not sure if it's just cheaper for you to go buy the SSD yourself, new will run you about $60 USD and I imagine shipping with tracking will be $40-50 with exchange rate. Probably better to just get new but offer stands if you want it.

[StaticGrazer]

Solid State Drive - SSD
Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SSD
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...id-state-drive

This to min/max.
HDD just don't process as fast as even the worst SSD. You can keep your HDD for storing music or whatever.

[AOD_FatherChristmas]

Obviously the most expensive would be the CPU/MoBo/RAM setup. Most things are on DDR4 right now, so even you would be upgrading all 3 together.
Intel Core i3 - $100
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...oxed-processor
MSI B460M PRO Intel LGA 1200 mATX Motherboard - $80
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...tx-motherboard
G.Skill Aegis 16GB - $57
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...6g---black-red

INSANELY HELPFUL!!!! Thank you Traveler! It looks like everything except for the MoBo is in-stock at the micro-center near me. The CPU/MoBo/RAM setup you listed there is pretty much EXACTLY in my range. If I upgrade those three parts, and get an SSD as well, what kind of performance changes do you think I should expect? If that's a bit too specific and you can't say for sure, that's alright, I'm just curious and excited about how much better things could be running!

[AOD_Traveler431]

You should notice a VERY dramatic difference. While you will still be held back by that video card, there will be noticeable differences across the board. You will be amazed by your boot up times to be sure.
One thing to add. The processor does not come with a heat sink and fan. You MIGHT be able to use the existing one if you have the brackets that work on the new mobo. If not, you will need to pick something up for that as well.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...-12-cpu-cooler
That should do you fine, its really just a clone of the evo212, which is a nice cooler.

[AOD_Guille92h]

One thing to add. The processor does not come with a heat sink and fan. You MIGHT be able to use the existing one if you have the brackets that work on the new mobo. If not, you will need to pick something up for that as well.
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...-12-cpu-cooler
That should do you fine, its really just a clone of the evo212, which is a nice cooler.

The i3 comes with a heat sink/cooler, but it can be loud.

[AOD_Traveler431]

The i3 comes with a heat sink/cooler, but it can be loud.

You are correct, don't know which one I looked at that didn't...

Thanks for correction!

[AOD_Sunwheel]

Planetside is a very cpu intensive game. While the graphic card certainly matters, you can get dramatic increases by keeping the same video card and getting a newer CPU(i just did this). Your video card is a bit older, so your results will vary. Video cards right now are almost impossible to find, and when you do, they are inflated to 50% and more beyond MSRP. With this in mind, you are probably stuck with that card for the forseable future, until the GPU situation is sorted out. Depending on on how limited you are fund wise, the best current option in my opinion would be to get an SSD. It will make the computer just respond faster overall. No, it wont increase your FPS by much, if at all, but there is no one component that really will. Even a newer card will be bound by your current CPU. So, with all that said here are my thoughts on upgrades you could consider.

Solid State Drive - SSD
Samsung 860 EVO 1TB SSD
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...id-state-drive


Obviously the most expensive would be the CPU/MoBo/RAM setup. Most things are on DDR4 right now, so even you would be upgrading all 3 together.
Intel Core i3 - $100
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...oxed-processor
MSI B460M PRO Intel LGA 1200 mATX Motherboard - $80
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...tx-motherboard
G.Skill Aegis 16GB - $57
https://www.microcenter.com/product/...6g---black-red

So, for about - $230 you would be able to replace all 3 components. Obviously, you could step up on the processor to an i5 for another $40-50 or so, but the above would be a dramatic increase in what you have now.

Video card? Not going to find one, you may want to consider used on ebay. Obviously this is a roll of the dice. I am currently waiting until things sort themselves out to upgrade mine. Below is an example, just food for thought
https://www.ebay.com/itm/XFX-Radeon-...oAAOSwGKJfzV1s

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. I used intel because right now, bang for the buck in that range, I think its a great deal. You could definitely do something similar with AMD.

Really good analysis, and welcome to AOD.

[AOD_FatherChristmas]

I'm worried that if I wait for the Motherboard to get back in stock at Micro Center, the other stuff from that partial build might go out of stock first. Is there another motherboard in the same range with the same compatibility that they have, or should I look for another source? I'd rather buy at Micro Center since A) no shipping related costs or risks, and B) Micro Center deals and discounts will save me a bit of money, but only if I buy the CPU and MoBo from them.

[AOD_Traveler431]

I'm worried that if I wait for the Motherboard to get back in stock at Micro Center, the other stuff from that partial build might go out of stock first. Is there another motherboard in the same range with the same compatibility that they have, or should I look for another source? I'd rather buy at Micro Center since A) no shipping related costs or risks, and B) Micro Center deals and discounts will save me a bit of money, but only if I buy the CPU and MoBo from them.

ASRock B460M PRO4 LGA 1200 - $91.99 with free shipping (little bit more unfortunately)
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E1681315...quicklink=true
Its has the Intel LAN which I am a fan of.

The lower priced boards there only have 2 RAM slots, so future upgrades would be replacing the RAM you are buying instead of adding to. Not a huge deal, I would go this route personally, but 2 slots for RAM isn't "wrong".

[AOD_Traveler431]

Really good analysis, and welcome to AOD.

Thanks! and Thanks! again

[AOD_BrianCore]

I used to have problems with Planetside 2 then I upgraded my CPU and it was k. I'd look into that.

[AOD_FatherChristmas]

Going to Micro Center today to pick up some new parts, ill update you all with my performance changes once I install everything!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[AOD_Cstantech]

So what is the status? I assume you picked up an SSD as that alone can make a huge difference in gameplay.

[AOD_FatherChristmas]

Update: I went to micro center and got all the parts as I said, but im waiting til the 25th to assemble it. My parents said they'd pay for it, but that I would have to wait til Christmas day to unwrap it, y'know for the ceremony of it all. I figured that's an easy favor to do. The SSD should be arriving within the next 2-3 weeks I expect, but I'm not exactly sure how long shipping will take, and I'll be happy to wait however long I need to (Anvil is my savior :D). I'll be sure to post about it here when everything is all put together!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[AOD_DC0042]

I've got an AMD R9 290x, this model, that I took out of my dad's old system recently when I upgraded him with some of my old parts. It's not brand new or top of the line, and it worked as of the day I shut the system down it was in. It is definitely an improvement over that HD 7850. That corsair PSU should have the hookups no problem.

If you are interested, hit me up and I'll see what we can do about getting it in the mail.

[AOD_FatherChristmas]

A bit of bad news....I put everything together, and when I boot up, the computer turns on, fans are on, keyboard and mouse light up, but the display won't turn on, so I can't do my BIOS/POST thing.

I've tried pretty much everything that I've been told to try. I am going to order a PC Speaker to hopefully pinpoint the issue through beep codes.

Interesting note, my HDD activity light (which normally turns on and stays on when I would boot usually) flickers very irregularly. Is something up with my HDD? Maybe my OS is expecting to turn on normally but is getting confused by the new Motherboard?

Remember, the only parts that have changed are CPU, Motherboard, and RAM.

Let me know if anyone has any tips!

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

[AOD_Weakness]

That could be a range of things.. Maybe take a picture of the motherboard and we can see if all the connections are where they should be.

Before that, the easiest option, could you verify the HDMI cord or whatever you used is in the video card and not the motherboard up higher? Next, I would check if you seated the CPU power cord at the top left of the motherboard correctly. Check if the power cords for the GPU are seated. If that is all OK, remove the RAM and reseat them. Are there any LED's on the motherboard as its trying to boot? If so, what color or code are they stuck at and what motherboard model do you have?

[AOD_Guille92h]

Check on the top right side of the motherboard when the computer is running if any of the EZ Debug leds are turn on.

Even if the hdd could cause problems you should be able to acces the bios if the pc posts properly.