AMD X2 4800 to Intel C2D E6850

[nlkccom]

I'm thinking about upgrading my computer (used 90% gaming, mostly FPS, 10% internet and others). I currently have an AMD X2 4800 cpu, 2GB Ram, evga 7900gto 512MB. Would upgrading it to Intel C2D E6850 gives me much improvement? TIA!

 

[Arkaign]

You'll see massive improvements in some things, minor in others.

Do you overclock? Then nix the 6850, get a Q6600, they easily hit 3ghz, and the extra 2 cores will make the future a lot more pleasant for you.

If you don't overclock, then just stick with what you have for a little while yet, because buying an 8800GTX would give you a better gaming experience than running a 6850 w/7900GTO.

 

[Arkaign]

Damn, just saw you got a 24" Dell WS LCD, yeah, just get a 8800GTX and overclock your 4800 a little bit. Wait for Penryn/Phenom, and you can then move to a DDR3+Quad-Core that will last you a couple of years.

 

[Miramonti]

You'll see around a 35% cpu speed increase or a 70% increase if you overclock it to 3.8ghz, that is if your system isn't overclocked now.

I recently upgraded my 4800x2 to an e6850 and these are the results I get using cpumark99. My stock 4800x2 score was around 305 and now it is 525 with the e6850 overclocked to 3.78ghz.

So yes, its well worth it imo. Eve better, if you can wait another 4 months, you can get the e8500 that is due out for roughly the same price.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: jjsole
You'll see around a 35% cpu speed increase or a 70% increase if you overclock it to 3.8ghz, that is if your system isn't overclocked now.

I recently upgraded my 4800x2 to an e6850 and these are the results I get using cpumark99. My stock 4800x2 score was around 305 and now it is 525 with the e6850 overclocked to 3.78ghz.

So yes, its well worth it imo. Eve better, if you can wait another 4 months, you can get the e8500 that is due out for roughly the same price.

You may be forgetting that he currently has a 7900 and is a gamer. If he didn't upgrade his video card, that 6850 would be spinning it's wheels no matter what clock speed he's running.

Also, I can't recommend a $300ish dual-core processor, as the Q6600 is much better for the future, and 3ghz is child's play. Many on here have them in the 3.5ghz range.

There's no denying that a 6850 is much better than a 4800 x2, but for gaming, his first upgrade should be that video card.

 

[SlowSpyder]

Another vote for upgrading your video card first.

 

[Miramonti]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: jjsole
You'll see around a 35% cpu speed increase or a 70% increase if you overclock it to 3.8ghz, that is if your system isn't overclocked now.

I recently upgraded my 4800x2 to an e6850 and these are the results I get using cpumark99. My stock 4800x2 score was around 305 and now it is 525 with the e6850 overclocked to 3.78ghz.

So yes, its well worth it imo. Eve better, if you can wait another 4 months, you can get the e8500 that is due out for roughly the same price.

You may be forgetting that he currently has a 7900 and is a gamer. If he didn't upgrade his video card, that 6850 would be spinning it's wheels no matter what clock speed he's running.

Also, I can't recommend a $300ish dual-core processor, as the Q6600 is much better for the future, and 3ghz is child's play. Many on here have them in the 3.5ghz range.

There's no denying that a 6850 is much better than a 4800 x2, but for gaming, his first upgrade should be that video card.

That's definitely another factor, and I'm not a gamer and can't give input on the differences. In January the price of the quads coming out are extremely attractive as well...another reason to be patient if possible. (sorry I can't find the release link posted the other day regarding these.)

 

[nlkccom]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Damn, just saw you got a 24" Dell WS LCD, yeah, just get a 8800GTX and overclock your 4800 a little bit. Wait for Penryn/Phenom, and you can then move to a DDR3+Quad-Core that will last you a couple of years.

Currently I'm not overclocking. Obviously I want to upgrade everything in the box, but it will come out being too expensive. Upgrading the CPU means new MB and ram. The total might end up being around the price of a single 8800GTX.

So getting a 8800GTX will give me more improvement than upgrading the cpu? Will the 4800 be a major bottleneck if I go that route?

 

[nlkccom]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: jjsole
You'll see around a 35% cpu speed increase or a 70% increase if you overclock it to 3.8ghz, that is if your system isn't overclocked now.

I recently upgraded my 4800x2 to an e6850 and these are the results I get using cpumark99. My stock 4800x2 score was around 305 and now it is 525 with the e6850 overclocked to 3.78ghz.

So yes, its well worth it imo. Eve better, if you can wait another 4 months, you can get the e8500 that is due out for roughly the same price.

You may be forgetting that he currently has a 7900 and is a gamer. If he didn't upgrade his video card, that 6850 would be spinning it's wheels no matter what clock speed he's running.

Also, I can't recommend a $300ish dual-core processor, as the Q6600 is much better for the future, and 3ghz is child's play. Many on here have them in the 3.5ghz range.

There's no denying that a 6850 is much better than a 4800 x2, but for gaming, his first upgrade should be that video card.

Were you referring to the Q6600 when you said it can be easily pushed to 3.5ghz range? Or the E6850?

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: nlkccom

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Damn, just saw you got a 24" Dell WS LCD, yeah, just get a 8800GTX and overclock your 4800 a little bit. Wait for Penryn/Phenom, and you can then move to a DDR3+Quad-Core that will last you a couple of years.

Currently I'm not overclocking. Obviously I want to upgrade everything in the box, but it will come out being too expensive. Upgrading the CPU means new MB and ram. The total might end up being around the price of a single 8800GTX.

So getting a 8800GTX will give me more improvement than upgrading the cpu? Will the 4800 be a major bottleneck if I go that route?

Yes, the 8800GTX + 4800 will be MUCH better for gaming than 7900 + 4800 X2. No, the 4800 won't be much of a bottleneck with current games (particularly if you overclock it a little bit).

Considering you're a gamer, I'd jump on the 8800 now, then leapfrog to a Penryn quad early next year.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Definately go with the GPU upgrade first, GPU>CPU for gaming.

My Son and I's system are:

HIS: AMD 4200+ overclocked to 2.6ghz + 8800GTS 320mb
MINE: Intel E6400 overclocked to 3.2ghz + 7900GS


His system stomps mine in games and all gaming benchmarks basically doubling the performance. And when checking his benchmarks against overclocked E$$$$ systems with the same GPU, it seems he only gives up about 3-6% perormance.