Budget Gaming Combo Review: Athlon X4 840 + RX 550

Budget Gaming Combo Review: Athlon X4 840 + RX 550

Table of Contents

• Introduction to Upgrading Your Old PC
• The Challenges of the Used GPU Market
  • Overpriced GPUs
  • Finding Budget-Oriented Components
• The Components Being Reviewed
  • The RX 550 GPU
  • AMD's x4 840 CPU
• testing Performance
  • Esports Gaming
  • Older AAA Titles
  • Recent AAA Releases
• Performance Analysis
  • Valerent
  • CSGO
  • Tomb Raider
  • Far Cry 4
  • The Witcher 3
  • Dark Souls 3
  • Doom
  • Elder Ring
  • God of War
  • Mafia Remake
• Conclusion and Recommendations

Article

Introduction to Upgrading Your Old PC

Upgrading an old PC into a budget-oriented esports gaming machine can be challenging in today's overpriced used GPU market. The pairing of components needs to deliver the desired performance, making it essential to carefully choose suitable components.

The Challenges of the Used GPU Market

The current situation in the used GPU market presents significant challenges due to the overpriced nature of the available products. Finding budget-oriented components that offer value for money is crucial for those looking to upgrade their PC.

Overpriced GPUs

The market is currently plagued by extremely high prices for used GPUs, making it difficult to find affordable components for PC upgrades.

Finding Budget-Oriented Components

In such a market, it is essential to carefully research and select components that provide the performance required for gaming while remaining cost-effective.

The Components Being Reviewed

The RX 550 GPU

The GPU being reviewed is a 5-year-old entry-level card, the RX 550. This GPU, originally an affordable option, now commands high prices in the used market. Despite its age, it offers performance that falls between the GTX 750 and 750 Ti, making it an option for budget-oriented builds.

AMD's x4 840 CPU

The CPU selected for this review is the AMD x4 840. From AMD's older lineup, it has faced competition from Intel processors. Testing its performance in various gaming categories is crucial to understanding its capabilities.

Testing Performance

Esports Gaming

Valerent and CSGO serve as benchmarks for evaluating the system's performance with less demanding esports games.

Older AAA Titles

Titles such as Tomb Raider and Far Cry 4, which may require moderate performance, are tested to gauge the PC's capabilities with older AAA games.

Recent AAA Releases

Testing recent releases such as Elder Ring and God of War provides insights into the system's ability to handle modern, demanding games.

Performance Analysis

Valerent Valerent shows impressive performance, offering nearly 100 frames on average, making it a suitable choice for budget-oriented gamers.

CSGO Similar to Valerent, CSGO runs decently, despite occasional stutters, providing a satisfactory gaming experience for budget-conscious individuals.

Tomb Raider The 2013 Tomb Raider runs well with the high preset and 1080p resolution, showcasing the system's ability to handle older AAA titles.

Far Cry 4 Far Cry 4 presents itself as a challenging game, yet it runs surprisingly well on this budget system, maintaining a stable frame rate without significant issues.

The Witcher 3 Despite requiring settings adjustments, The Witcher 3 delivers playable performance, retaining visual appeal even with reduced settings.

Doom While the gameplay experience is not flawless, Doom ran decently, demonstrating that with adjustments, even the most demanding titles can be playable.

Elder Ring Elder Ring runs at an average of 30 fps, indicating that the system struggles with the demands of modern AAA releases.

God of War The performance of God of War is less than optimal, experiencing heavy drops and overall poor frame rates, making it the weakest performer in this review.

Mafia Remake Mafia Remake runs acceptably with reduced settings, providing a playable experience that showcases the system's flexibility with modest titles.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The performance of the tested system shows potential for esports gaming and older AAA titles. However, in modern AAA releases, the system reaches its limits. While there are better options available, the reviewed components could be a suitable choice for certain gaming preferences. For individuals already possessing the x4 840 CPU, incorporating a GPU like the RX 550 could be a viable option. Ultimately, the review aims to provide insights to assist individuals in making informed decisions for their PC upgrades, aligning their expectations with the capabilities of the reviewed components.

End of Article

Highlights

• Upgrading an old PC into a budget-oriented esports gaming machine
• Challenges in the overpriced used GPU market
• Performance and suitability of the RX 550 GPU and AMD's x4 840 CPU
• Testing performance with esports, older AAA, and recent AAA releases
• Analysis of Game performance and system capabilities
• Recommendation for potential usage scenarios and gaming preferences

FAQ

Q: Can this system effectively handle modern AAA games?
A: The system struggles with modern AAA releases, nearing the limits of playable frame rates, making it less suitable for such titles.

Q: What type of games does this system perform best in?
A: The system excels with less demanding esports games and older AAA titles, providing satisfactory performance for budget-oriented gaming experiences.

Q: Is it worth upgrading to this system for gaming purposes?
A: While it may not be ideal for modern AAA releases, it can serve as a budget-friendly option for individuals interested in esports titles and older AAA games.

Resources

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