6850 possible disappointment.

[CuriousMike]

Oh. One last reason it pains me to get a new Mobo -- I'm to the point in my hardware career that I loathe having to do another Windows install from scratch and getting my machine setup as before.

 

[toyota]

just sell your old stuff and go with a 2500K or 2600K/mobo/ram upgrade then you will be set for 2-3 years.

 

[Lonyo]

Yeah, best not to upgrade yet anyway what with new platforms coming soon.
If you're not absolutely in need of an upgrade (you should be able to play SC2 well enough on your current CPU, don't know about BFBC2, but 30fps minimums isn't too terrible), then there's no real need to upgrade when it entails a lot of hassle, you'll just have to struggle on with poor performance in some situations.

The good news is that you can probably increase settings even more in terms of visuals without losing FPS.

 

[CuriousMike]

Sounds like I'll just plan on doing a mobo+CPU upgrade in the near future, but it isn't going to happen today.

It is a positive that I'm running higher res.

 

[Spikesoldier]

Oh. One last reason it pains me to get a new Mobo -- I'm to the point in my hardware career that I loathe having to do another Windows install from scratch and getting my machine setup as before.

Shouldnt have to do that at all if your are staying on the intel platform.

 

[dqniel]

If you're near a Microcenter you could get an AMD Phenom II 560 and a motherboard for $100 after MIR. With any luck, unlock both cores and overclock to 3.8-4Ghz using a $25 cooler like the Cooler Master 212 or something similar in price and performance. Hell of a performance bundle for $125.

 

[toyota]

If you're near a Microcenter you could get an AMD Phenom II 560 and a motherboard for $100 after MIR. With any luck, unlock both cores and overclock to 3.8-4Ghz using a $25 cooler like the Cooler Master 212 or something similar in price and performance. Hell of a performance bundle for $125.

that would be a pretty silly "upgrade". there is no point in going with another dual core cpu.

 

[mindwreck]

that would be a pretty silly "upgrade". there is no point in going with another dual core cpu.

well hes banking on the fact that you might be able to unlock the other 2 cores.

 

[toyota]

well hes banking on the fact that you might be able to unlock the other 2 cores.

I misread what he was saying because I saw "both cores". either way that is not a guarantee of course so he could end up almost right where is now after all that hassle.

 

[Ken g6]

Looks like his current board is FSB-limited.

Mike, maybe you can dig up a Q6600 on EBay or something. They're generally about as good as Q9xxx; they just throw off some more heat.

 

[dualsmp]

You're only moving up 3 tiers on Tom's hierarchy chart which is considered the minimum upgrade. 3 tiers or higher is considered worthwhile, but since your pushing 70% more pixels the frame rates you're seeing are probably about right.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850,2782-7.html

 

[Leyawiin]

Given the increase in resolution plus IQ settings and still coming out a little faster (when paired with your modest CPU) I think you're upgrade went quite well.