CPU / GPU balance? 3800 X2 and 8800 GT

[marcplante]

My rig:

MSI K8N Neo-4-F 939
Athlon 3800+ x2
2 Gig of Kensington Value RAM
160G Seagate 7200 RPM PATA drive
MSI 6600GT Vid Card

Thinking of upgrading to an 8800GT and started exploring power supplies to assure I had enough power. I was questioned as to whether the CPU was enough for the GPU I was about to buy.

I'm not a hard core Crysis player. Just looking for smoother video on a few games incl HL2.

TIA

 

[v8envy]

The most powerful video card in the world won't help with minimum frame rates (if caused by CPU), just maximum ones. That said, you'll see a tremendous improvement. Don't worry about wasting potential -- you'll be able to crank image quality waaaaay up.

Modern games expect about a 2.6 ghz dual core CPU for best effect. Some expect a whole lot more. With HL2 and the like you'll be perfectly fine with your 2ghz CPU.

 

[krnmastersgt]

And best part of GPUs is that if you do update your system, you can transfer the cards over readily.

 

[SickBeast]

I think you would enjoy an 8800GT.

I have an 8800GTS 320mb with an Opteron 165 CPU at around 2.5ghz. You should be able to overclock your CPU to at least 2.4ghz without issue, even on the stock cooler.

I recently beat COD4 with my setup. It was pretty much pegged at 60FPS with all settings maxxed out, at 1920x1080 with 2XAA (albeit my GTS is overclocked somewhat heavily).

If you feel CPU-limited (which I doubt), you will at least have a better gaming experience and can always re-use the card when you upgrade your processor/platform.

 

[Extelleron]

In your case I'd go for the 8800GT or an 8800GTS 512MB if you want something a bit faster.

8800GT 512MB can be found for as low as $188 AR if you look in the Hot Deals section. 8800GTS 512MB can be found for ~$260 AR, but I'm not sure if you'd see any difference with that CPU.

You'll be fine with an X2 3800+ and an 8800GT; it's going to be a world of difference coming from a 6600GT. You might want to consider overclocking that CPU a bit though, it could probably do an easy 2.4GHz.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: v8envy
The most powerful video card in the world won't help with minimum frame rates (if caused by CPU), just maximum ones. That said, you'll see a tremendous improvement. Don't worry about wasting potential -- you'll be able to crank image quality waaaaay up.

Modern games expect about a 2.6 ghz dual core CPU for best effect. Some expect a whole lot more. With HL2 and the like you'll be perfectly fine with your 2ghz CPU.

I love how the first replies are usually the least informed ^_^

That CPU would be fine for higher resolution gaming; there was a test recently with GPU limited CPU comparisons, and in 90% of the games at 1600x1200 there was no difference in framerates between the highest overclocked core2Q's and the lower end AMD dual cores.

Overclock that CPU a little bit and you'll be great.

 

[Spike]

I got my new 8800GTS 512 about a month before I built my new pc and in that time ran it in my Opteron 165 @ 2.52 setup instead of the 7800GT. Man, the improvement was huge and it was soooo much fun to be able to finally max out details in all the HL2 games and Bioshock. You will see a huge difference even with your cpu and down the road when you drop the $100-$200 for a new core system just bring the 8800 along and you will continue to see improvement.

I went for the 8800 GTS 512 even though it was $340 at the time. To me it was worth it simply because it was a Christmas gift from my wife, if I was spending "normal" money I probably would have gotten the 8800GT and replaced the cooler.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: soccerballtux

Originally posted by: v8envy
The most powerful video card in the world won't help with minimum frame rates (if caused by CPU), just maximum ones. That said, you'll see a tremendous improvement. Don't worry about wasting potential -- you'll be able to crank image quality waaaaay up.

Modern games expect about a 2.6 ghz dual core CPU for best effect. Some expect a whole lot more. With HL2 and the like you'll be perfectly fine with your 2ghz CPU.

I love how the first replies are usually the least informed ^_^

That CPU would be fine for higher resolution gaming; there was a test recently with GPU limited CPU comparisons, and in 90% of the games at 1600x1200 there was no difference in framerates between the highest overclocked core2Q's and the lower end AMD dual cores.

Overclock that CPU a little bit and you'll be great.

do you have a link to that review? .... the 1900xtx wouldn't be held back much by a 3800x2 but it is different for the 8800GT ... the OP's rig would certainly be more than a few frames less than the fastest C2Ds at 16x12.

that said - even IF the GT is a bit overkill for the 3800x2 his overall gaming experience will be many times better than with the MSI 6600GT Vid Card

Go for it ... you can always upgrade or OC your CPU later.

 

[marcplante]

Thanks to all. I'll stick with the card, go ahead and upgrade the PSU and start scrounging the for sale section for a slightly faster 939 CPU. I keep forgetting how expensive moderately obsolete stuff gets.

Marc

 

[SlowSpyder]

I ran my Opteron 165 at the stock 1.8ghz speed with my overclocked 2900 Pro. Even with the CPU at only 1.8ghz there was a huge improvement over my 7900GS from what I remember.