• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

CPU bottleneck?

I recently won a 660ti 2gb and I'm wondering if my e4300 will bottleneck it. Its running at stock. The reason is that its in a dell. The 660ti will replace the 9800gt that is in there. I know I can do the conductive ink and copper tape trick to up the multiplier and voltage and what not but I don't have any ink or tape.

Also I'm wondering if a 350 watt no name PSU will be able to handle a 660ti (I highly doubt it). Would it cause any damage if I try to see if it turns on?
Edit: 350 watts isn't going to cut it
 
Last edited:
yes there will be a bottleneck. i suggest you oc that chip as high as possible or upgrade it to a higher end Core 2 Quad or build a whole new system
 
yes there will be a bottleneck. i suggest you oc that chip as high as possible or upgrade it to a higher end Core 2 Quad or build a whole new system

I plan on building a new system over the summer, until then I guess I can either

A) buy a new PSU

B) stick it out with the 9800gt
 
Buy a PSU that you can reuse as well. No need mis out of the huge performance delta between a 660 and a 9800.
 
I plan on building a new system over the summer, until then I guess I can either

A) buy a new PSU

B) stick it out with the 9800gt

If that's the case just buy a new PSU and GTX 660 Ti and try to oc your chip some and in games try using higher settings to kind of push the bottleneck away from the CPU
 
Buy a PSU that you can reuse as well. No need mis out of the huge performance delta between a 660 and a 9800.
If that's the case just buy a new PSU and GTX 660 Ti and try to oc your chip some and in games try using higher settings to kind of push the bottleneck away from the CPU
That is what I plan on doing. I know its pointless to upgrade anything except for the PSU or GPU because I can reuse them. My computer is actually not all that bad.
E4300 and 3.5 GB of ram.

Along with the 660ti I also won WOW collectors edition, I heard those are really expensive.
 
He can't overclock. It's a Dell.

The bottlenecking will be very significant. The 660Ti is 4x faster than a 9800gt. You'll get about 2x higher performance if you use the 660Ti in your system.

Also, while your whole system will only draw about 250w at load, making 350w potentially enough, I'd be careful about that PSU because it's possible it can't really deliver power as a brand-name PSU would.

Can I make a suggestion? Sell the stuff you won and start working on a new platform that you can afford. You need a new motherboard, RAM, PSU, CPU, and likely a case as well. You'll probably end up with something much cheaper than a 660Ti, but at least you'll have a balanced system. Perhaps an AMD FX6300 and an HD7850 would be a better balance.
 
I'll trade you my 560Ti/448 for your 660Ti... that way the bottleneck won't be so bad.

Can I make a suggestion? Sell the stuff you won and start working on a new platform that you can afford.

I don't really agree with that... maybe. It depends on the system he plans to build this summer. That's a pretty significant GPU, he's not going to realize any value if he sells a $300 GPU and has to turn around and buy a $200 card.
 
I had an off the shelf system with an e4500 and a 9800gt. In some games it seemed like I was CPU bottle necked already. As others said I would just get a power supply that you can use for the new build and use the 660 ti to crank the settings as high as possible. You might be able to sell the 660 ti and then buy an amd card with the free games bundle. Otherwise I don't really see the point of selling the card.
 
660ti uses two 6-pin PCI-E power connectors, right? Perhaps invest in a CX500 or Antec Neo Eco 620W, when either one of them drops to $30 AR on Newegg.

Congrats on winning that card. Should be nice for a new build.
 
I'm going to buy a PSU (waiting on a sale and my parents approval) because I can carry it over to my new build. I have like 600 dollars to use towards a new build anyways ( enough for everything minus gpu, since I was going to carry over the GPU). The 660ti uses 2 6pins. My psu SHOULD be able to handle it.

The 660ti 2gb is a reference one from nvidia (since it was a nvidia product giveaway, I'm getting a cool nvidia backpack too along with WOW collectors edition)
 
Hey bud, I wouldn't even consider using that PSU with the 660TI. I think it came out of an old Compaq with a P4. I wouldn't risk damaging anything.
 
Back
Top