Minecraft Forums

Hello, so I'm not super informed on the technicalities behind how computers work, so I need a bit of help. I was recently gifted and older desktop to replace the very crappy laptop I've been using. I was really excited to be able to play Minecraft with the render distance past 2, but it turns out the desktop isn't so great either. I've researched just about everything my brain can understand and I've come to a decision (I think)

Currently, the computer's specs are:

Intel Core 2 Duo E2220 2.4Ghz

5GB RAM

Integrated graphics w/ Intel GMA 3100

Based on research, Minecraft is heavier on CPU than GPU, so I've decided to upgrade my CPU to Intel Core 2 Quad (K) Q6600 (cheapest option I had that's labeled as a decent CPU for persons with a budget)

With that information, would you say I could play Minecraft at default video settings and get decent FPS?

Building/Upgrading a pc is about balance, Minecraft uses a lot the GPU recently, and the integrated on that CPU is not enough

A new GPU would definately help, as the CPU is being bottlenecked by the GPU in the game, but also dont get the most budget one, it may be worse

Just get any that is compatible with Windows 10(check https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VP1eCyo6gsBjulvuJkopincb452PLI4YSgnqD0Griks/edit?usp=drive_web), a rx 480, or GTX 1060 might be good ones(and you can use them in a later build later), r9 380 is good too but its a little older

I purchased the CPU already for $15 on eBay. Should I still upgrade that with the GPU? Also the computer still runs VISTA, isn't Windows 10 a free upgrade?

Quote from nking1396»

I purchased the CPU already for $15 on eBay. Should I still upgrade that with the GPU? Also the computer still runs VISTA, isn't Windows 10 a free upgrade?

Windows 10 is a free upgrade for Windows 7/8.1

Although I recommend staying in Windows 7. You can ask in a computer shop or in reddit.com/r/buildapc what GPU they recommend

Sorry, Windows 10 is not a free upgrade for Win 7/8.1 the free offer expired last year (it only ran 12 months from the release of windows 10) .

Quote from Rod_Gallowglass»

Sorry, Windows 10 is not a free upgrade for Win 7/8.1 the free offer expired last year (it only ran 12 months from the release of windows 10) .

There's a backdoor though, that Microsoft left wide open. So unethically, you can still upgrade for free.

Also @OP, Getting a graphics card would help in many more ways than one. You do NOT need a gtx 1060. Look for a used Radeon HD 5770. It was my first graphics card and while it's cheap nowadays, it can still get you good performance. (Plus it's from 2009 so it's from the era of your cpu and wouldn't allow the cpu to bottleneck the system, whereas if you got a gtx 1060, it would.)

Quote from TRen208»

There's a backdoor though, that Microsoft left wide open. So unethically, you can still upgrade for free.

Also @OP, Getting a graphics card would help in many more ways than one. You do NOT need a gtx 1060. Look for a used Radeon HD 5770. It was my first graphics card and while it's cheap nowadays, it can still get you good performance. (Plus it's from 2009 so it's from the era of your cpu and wouldn't allow the cpu to bottleneck the system, whereas if you got a gtx 1060, it would.)

Thats a GPU that still has ATI as stickers. thats really old mate. I said that he should try to get a good GPU so he can use it in a later build later. Asking a computer shop or reddit.com/r/buildapc can help too

Quote from urielsalis»

Thats a GPU that still has ATI as stickers. thats really old mate. I said that he should try to get a good GPU so he can use it in a later build later. Asking a computer shop or reddit.com/r/buildapc can help too

Would a newer Gpu be compatible with Vista though? Also, considering that you can pick up a 5770 for around 50 to 100 bucks, I thought that might be more worth it to him now at least. Because it sounds to me like minecraft is really the only game he'll be playing. It is still capable of more modern things at lower settings as well.

Quote from TRen208»

Would a newer Gpu be compatible with Vista though? Also, considering that you can pick up a 5770 for around 50 to 100 bucks, I thought that might be more worth it to him now at least. Because it sounds to me like minecraft is really the only game he'll be playing. It is still capable of more modern things at lower settings as well.

And no one should be using Vista, that thing is a unoptimized resource hog filled with bugs thats about to get out of the support phase

Quote from urielsalis»

And no one should be using Vista, that thing is a unoptimized resource hog filled with bugs thats about to get out of the support phase

Widows 7 is on extended support itself I believe, and still costs around $100, correct? Also, seeing as the hardware is from 2009 or so, would a more modern OS such as Windows 10 run as well?

And thats why I was recommending one that supported Windows 10 already, so he can upgrade when that happens