Upgrading an Old Setup - Questions about Drivers, Improvements, and Next Steps

Oct 18, 2025
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Hey everyone, I've made a significant upgrade to my old PC and would appreciate your help with some questions:

My OLD Setup:

· Motherboard: Asus P5GC-MX/1333 (LGA 775)
· Processor: Intel Pentium Dual-Core E5700
· Memory: 2GB DDR3
· Graphics: Intel GMA X4500 (integrated)

My CURRENT Setup (UPGRADE):

· Motherboard: Taicon TA-PCM085 (LGA 1150)
· Processor: Intel Core i5-3470 (3.2GHz - 3.6GHz Turbo)
· Memory: 8GB DDR3 (1x8GB)
· Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 1GB
· Storage: 480GB SSD
· PSU: Knup Cowboy 400W
· Cooler: Deepcool AG400
· Wi-Fi: PCIe AC1200 Card + Bluetooth 4.0

My MAIN QUESTIONS:

1. DRIVERS - Where to find the correct ones?
· I'm having trouble finding stable drivers for the GT 430 and Wi-Fi card
· Better to use official NVIDIA drivers or modded ones?
· Does anyone know reliable sources for older card drivers?
2. IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS - What's worth it?
· I'm considering buying a PWM multifan cable - is it worth installing more fans?
· Should I add another 8GB RAM (total 16GB) or would the gain be minimal?
· Any BIOS settings I can adjust for better performance?
3. GPU UPGRADE - Which is ideal?
· I'm considering between RX 470 4GB or GTX 1050 Ti
· Can my 400W PSU handle it? Do I need adapters?
· Are there other better options in the R$ 400-600 range?
· Will it bottleneck with the i5-3470?
4. OPTIMIZATIONS - What else can I do?
· Windows 10 settings for better performance
· Useful programs for temperature monitoring
· Tips to keep the setup cool

Games I want to run: Satisfactory, No Man's Sky, GTA V, Euro Truck 2

Thanks a lot for any help! This upgrade was already a big step coming from the Pentium Dual-Core, but I know there's still much to improve.

Comment below: What would you do in my position? Which upgrade would bring the best return?
 
PSU: Knup Cowboy 400W
I wouldn't get that PSU if I were you.

Memory: 8GB DDR3 (1x8GB)
Dual channel would be a good idea then again, if that ram is rated to run at DDR3-1600MHz speeds they would operate at DDR3-1333MHz due tot eh chipset of the motherboard.

I'm considering buying a PWM multifan cable - is it worth installing more fans?
What case are you working with?

Windows 10 settings for better performance
Windows 10 is now EoL unless you have a license key and you enrolled for ESU.

· Are there other better options in the R$ 400-600 range?
How much is the above setup costing you? Users are advised to stylize their threads with info asked of in this thread;
this helps lend context to your predicament and the community can chime in with worthwhile suggestions.

If I were in your shoes, I'd look into AM4 or AM5, not something from 2013.
 
Oct 18, 2025
2
0
10
PSU: Knup Cowboy 400W
I wouldn't get that PSU if I were you.

Memory: 8GB DDR3 (1x8GB)
Dual channel would be a good idea then again, if that ram is rated to run at DDR3-1600MHz speeds they would operate at DDR3-1333MHz due tot eh chipset of the motherboard.

I'm considering buying a PWM multifan cable - is it worth installing more fans?
What case are you working with?

Windows 10 settings for better performance
Windows 10 is now EoL unless you have a license key and you enrolled for ESU.

· Are there other better options in the R$ 400-600 range?
How much is the above setup costing you? Users are advised to stylize their threads with info asked of in this thread;

this helps lend context to your predicament and the community can chime in with worthwhile suggestions.

If I were in your shoes, I'd look into AM4 or AM5, not something from 2013.
I'm using an old office case that I had, but it has a front intake, a side intake, and a rear exhaust.

My current graphics card was a gift from my late instructor, so it was free - it's a GT 430 1GB.

My current setup cost around R$1000, just for the parts, not counting the case.

Why not the Cowboy 400w?
 
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