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Bottleneck: CPU, RAM, or Video?

N

NikPreviousAcct

No Lifer
Mobo: Asus P4B-266C
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 1.6a Northwood @2.128GHz (16x133)
RAM: 768MB PC2100 (mixed brands)
VID: Asus (IIRC) GeForce4 Ti4600 128MB

I'm pretty sure the video card is the bottleneck in gaming so I'm considering upgrading to the 256MB Geforce 6600 for roughly $130. Considering the spec differences between the two cards, will I actually see a kickass improvement in performance? If my CPU's the bottleneck and I upgrade vidcards only to get the same or not much more performance, I'm going to be pissed. 😛 Is the 6600 overkill because my mobo's got such a slow bus speed?
 
A lot of newer games will still run rather slow regardless of what videocard you have as the rest of your system is rather ageing. I recomend just holding off on upgrades until you are ready to go PCIe.
 
All of the above.

Wait until you can afford a new CPU, mobo, video card and RAM and then switch over to PCI-E
 
Originally posted by: TheSnowman
A lot of newer games will still run rather slow regardless of what videocard you have as the rest of your system is rather ageing. I recomend just holding off on upgrades until you are ready to go PCIe.
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I *know* they're going to run slowly. What I'm asking, basically, is if the 6600 is overkill for the rest of my junk.
 
Not really. If you really really wanna get a 6600 then no, it will not be bottlenecked. Of course it will perform better with a better cpu, but it won't "bottleneck" it. Also the 256 mb one if a huge waste, the 256 of ram does absolutely nothing. If you are spending that much money you might as well get an x800 or a 6600 GT.
 
Originally posted by: Nik
Why is the 256MB version a waste?
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hmm i thought you would know better. low core clock speed, a 128bit bus, a architecture designed to take max advantagew of 128mb, not 256(256adds 1-2% performance max).

it overclocks well, and bottlenecks isnt really that much of an issue. you can probably get it to500mhz core/600mhz memory, but the poor memory oc will hold it back.

I suggest for AGP, under $100, get a used radeon 9800pro. it is signifigantyl faster than a 6600 stock(as in 20%[2000 v.s. 2600 3dmark05s), can be had for $90 used in the fs/t forums and is a better value.
 
The sub 100 9800 pros are 128-bit versions, not 256-bit versions though right? Wouldn't it be better to get the 256-bit version? or is that one of those things that's only 1-2% performance boost that isn't worth the money?
 
Do not get that 6600. Like Corporate Thug said, buy a card right here in the forums. You will save some time and cash. Pick from the following two with that budget.

9800pro(256-bit only) - $100
6600gt - $125

Personally, I would go with the 9800 pro as your other components of your system isn't going to fair well with anything higher.
 
256 bit instead of a 128 bit is much much better than 256mb over 128mb. Basically if you have a card that had 256 mb of memory but a 128 bit bus, or a card with 128mb of memory but a 256 bit bus, and every other spec was the same, the 256 bit one would be alot better.
 
spend an extra 60-100 bucks and get a refurb x800 xl or pro and you wont have to upgrade it later when you get a new mobo n stuff. you'll just have to find an agp mobo.
 
Originally posted by: Nik
The sub 100 9800 pros are 128-bit versions, not 256-bit versions though right? Wouldn't it be better to get the 256-bit version? or is that one of those things that's only 1-2% performance boost that isn't worth the money?
Click to expand...


the 9800pros in the fs/t froums are all clearly labeled and i really havent seen a 128bit one so far. i got my 9800pro R360 core 256bit 128mb & an artic silencer rev.3 for $105 shipped.
 
Originally posted by: sisq0kidd
Do not get that 6600. Like Corporate Thug said, buy a card right here in the forums. You will save some time and cash. Pick from the following two with that budget.

9800pro(256-bit only) - $100
6600gt - $125

Personally, I would go with the 9800 pro as your other components of your system isn't going to fair well with anything higher.
Click to expand...

Looks like this is what I'll be doing. Thanks. 🙂

Originally posted by: BFG10K
You need to upgrade your whole system.
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Thanks for the wonderfully novel advice. :roll:
 
Originally posted by: Tsosczb
Oh man, if you were willing to spend $130 on a 6600, I would suggest getting one of these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814122212

...and then try unlocking the masked piplelines and vertex processors. Even the base product is way better than a 6600, but the chance at getting 8 more pipelines for free is unbeatable.

Plus there's a refurbished version if you want to save 20 bucks.
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks! :thumbsup: You rock. :beer:
 
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