Is new "really" much better than old?

Griff9

I currently have a desktop that was purchased 4+ years ago.  It seems to be struggling from time to time with my normal activities.  I do some limited gaming, use MS office applications, surf, etc.. Nothing too strenuous.  So, I started looking at a new machine.  But when I look at the specs at a high level (processor, RAM, HD, etc.) it doesn't seem that too much has changed.  Is there something that I'm missing that really has improved things???

 

Here's what I currently have:

AM3970-EB12P

•Processor Type: Intel Core i7 2600 processor
•Processor Chipset: Intel H67 Express
•Processor Speed: 3.4GHz
•Level 2 cache: 8MB
•RAM: 8GB DDR3 SDRAM
Hard drive size: 1.5TB
•DVD Drive: 16x DVD±R/RW SuperMulti Drive

•Video Card: ATI HD6570 Graphics card, 1MB

 

Was thinking about:

Acer Aspire TC ATC-710-ER62 or possibly GX-785-ER12, but it is a lot more pricey (50% more).

 

Like to have your thoughts on what the improvements have been over the last 4+ years and possibly a recommendation on a new model.

 

Thanks in advance,

Steve

IronFly

your PC is still a good machine that can satisfy your request, i would only consider some updates:

1) SSD drive to improve OS/applications read/write speed

2) maybe more ram if needed

3) better GPU for games (at least 4GB but 8GB is recommended) but this probably involves a better PSU too

all depends on your budget.

 

new PCs can have higher clock CPUs or more cores, more ram (16gb and up), SSD and newer powerful GPUs.

to be honest, it's Intel that didn't developed new powerful CPU models for a while, if you have a look at the new AMD Ryzen CPUs, you will notice an increased number of cores (but this can help you only on multitask or multi-processor applications).

 

IronFly

your PC is still a good machine that can satisfy your request, i would only consider some updates:

1) SSD drive to improve OS/applications read/write speed

2) maybe more ram if needed

3) better GPU for games (at least 4GB but 8GB is recommended) but this probably involves a better PSU too

all depends on your budget.

 

new PCs can have higher clock CPUs or more cores, more ram (16gb and up), SSD and newer powerful GPUs.

to be honest, it's Intel that didn't developed new powerful CPU models for a while, if you have a look at the new AMD Ryzen CPUs, you will notice an increased number of cores (but this can help you only on multitask or multi-processor applications).

 

Griff9

Thanks ACE!

 

I could add 8GB RAM I believe.  Do I need something specific or just DDR3 SDRAM?

 

And for GPU, can you point me at a copule of options?  I'd want somewhat lower end. i.e. decent, but good value.

 

 

Steve

 

 

IronFly

it depends if you want to add or put completly new ram.

 

if you want to add it, the new ram must have the same value as the old one (voltage, timings etc)

your desktop supports up to a total of 16GB of ram.

to find the value of your installed memory, just rung CPU-z

http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/cpu-z_1.81-en.zip

and click on memory or SPD tab

 

normaly installed Support DDR3 1.5V 1066/1333 (1GB / 2GB / 4GB).

 

about a new GPU, it's better if you find someone else that upgraded the same dekstop model (i think google can help).