2600k Upgrade / Old GPU (4870) Any FPS Increase?

[SkyBum]

I just got done ordering a new build based on a 2600k/8GB/Z68 platform. Was planning to get a GTX580 1.5 for the build but decided at the last minute to reign in on the cash bleed for a bit and get the 580 (or successor) in a month or few.

What I am wondering is if I could expect any kind of an increase in gaming performance due to the CPU/RAM upgrade? Obviously the 4870 is going to hold me back substantially but if I can still see "decent" performance in upcoming games like RAGE / Skyrim I may try to hold out for the next GPU cycle early next year.

Just curious to hear any of your opinions on this...

 

[cusideabelincoln]

If you're going from an FX-60 to a 2600K, yes you will see a performance increase.

 

[SkyBum]

Granted, of course there is going to be an increase in performance. Lemme rephrase the question. How much improvement could I expect to see in gaming performance with a 2600k being limited by a 4870? Just concerned that I am wasting my upgrade $$$ by trying to save a few bucks over the next several months...

 

[toyota]

we cant really break down every game for you to tell you exactly what to expect. some games will see a nice improvement while others wont. and you will certainly need a much faster gpu if you intend to max all games at 1920.

 

[Spjut]

Waiting for the new series and then do a complete overhaul could be cheaper, who knows what will happen with the prices until then

But I don't see why people expect Rage and Skyrim to be so much demanding

The only game I can think of that will be limited by a HD4870 is BF3(which I still expect to do relatively well, despite it only supporting DX10.1)

 

[Crap Daddy]

Depends on what games are you playing. Is it a 512GB card? If so then it's pretty bad for today's standards. In BFBC2, Shogun 2 Total War, GTA 4, Starcraft 2, Black Ops you will certainly see considerable improvement. In Crysis 1 no since it's a very GPU dependant game.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Lemme rephrase the question. How much improvement could I expect to see in gaming performance with a 2600k being limited by a 4870?

That's what I was answering. In gaming you will notice a difference. How much of a difference will depend on the game you're playing and what settings you use. We can't really quantify it because the range is so big. But suffice to say, you will certainly notice the difference. Whether your average framerate goes up signficantly or whether you stop having low fps spikes depends on the game.

 

[FalseChristian]

Depends on what games are you playing. Is it a 512GB card? If so then it's pretty bad for today's standards. In BFBC2, Shogun 2 Total War, GTA 4, Starcraft 2, Black Ops you will certainly see considerable improvement. In Crysis 1 no since it's a very GPU dependant game.

As you mention I think a 512GB card should have enough RAM for the next 50 years of gaming! LOL!

 

[fuzzymath10]

In sc2 which is a fairly CPU heavy game my 5750 which is almost as fast as a 4870 saw huge gains going from a q8200 to i5 2400. Ymmv but it should be a solid upgrade.

 

[SkyBum]

Hell yeah I'd probably hang on to a 512GB card for quite awhile......too bad it's only a 1GB.

I guess I probably should stop worrying about whether or not I made the right decision to hold off on a new GPU (in exchange for a 600T, 120 SSD, and SP2500) until next weekend when I can see for myself. Seemed like a great trade off at the time but I sure am second guessing the hell out of myself ever since...

Thanks for the input, appreciated!

 

[Crap Daddy]

You did fine. I got an i5-2500K from an E8400 with the same card (GTX285) and saw considerable jump in performance. You'll see, your card will get a second life. It's not a good time to buy an expensive new GPU since in 7-8 months time the new 28nm chips will be out and we should expecy high jumps in performance with lower power req.

 

[Red Hawk]

As you mention I think a 512GB card should have enough RAM for the next 50 years of gaming! LOL!

Ehh...fifteen years, maybe. Not fifty.

Wow, the thought that a memory number several orders of magnitude greater than what we have now won't last even two decades before it's obsolete is just...