Do I need a new CPU to match my nVidia 7800GTX?

[sofakng]

I'm buying a BFG 7800GTX video card but right now I only have an AMD 3500+ CPU (on an A8N-SLI motherboard). I'm wondering if my cpu will be severely limiting the new video card.

I'm really trying to save money, but if I NEED a new cpu then I guess I'll have to buy one. The motherboard I have (A8N-SLI) looks like it supports dual-core so I guess my options are open.

So, do I really need a new cpu? If so, whats the CHEAPEST cpu I can get to match the video card?

 

[Mogadon]

What's the maximum reslolution your monitor supports?

And what resolution do you usually play your games at?

Unless it's 1600*1200 or above the 7800GTX aint gonna make hardly any difference no matter what CPU you have.

 

[theMan]

um, overclock your cpu??? you could get above fx-55 speeds on that thing. also, a 3500+ is fine for the 7800gtx without overclocking.

 

[Furen]

Your CPU (at stock) may be holding you back a bit, but as soon as new games (with heftier GPU requirements) come out you should be fine. If you want to upgrade there's nothing wrong with that, but I wouldnt say that you "need" an upgrade.

 

[sofakng]

I'm getting a Dell 2405 24" LCD. It's native resolution is 1920x1200 or something like that. Of course I might not always be able to play at that, but I heard that 1680x<something> looks very good too.

So, it doesn't sound like I need a new cpu. Should I still bother getting the GPU?

 

[thecoolnessrune]

Its rediculous that a CPU of that magnitude could be holding you back. A 2.6GHz P4 or a 2600+ Athlon can play ANY game available right now.

 

[McGeyser]

Originally posted by: sofakng
I'm getting a Dell 2405 24" LCD. It's native resolution is 1920x1200 or something like that. Of course I might not always be able to play at that, but I heard that 1680x<something> looks very good too.

So, it doesn't sound like I need a new cpu. Should I still bother getting the GPU?

1680X1050 WS is even tough for a 7800GTX with highest settings and 2XAA in some games, needless to say 1920X1200 will be impossible for 1 X GTX with highest settings and 4XAA 8XAF in some games. If you are buying a 2405, the GPU is a necessary evil, wait for the release of the new 512GTX for a price drop on the 256 model. Your CPU should be fine given the right cooling and clock adjusments.

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Its rediculous that a CPU of that magnitude could be holding you back. A 2.6GHz P4 or a 2600+ Athlon can play ANY game available right now.

i say 2.8ghz or xp3200+ (same performance).

 

[Furen]

Originally posted by: thecoolnessrune
Its rediculous that a CPU of that magnitude could be holding you back. A 2.6GHz P4 or a 2600+ Athlon can play ANY game available right now.

I think that by "hold back" we (or at least, I) mean that the CPU will be a bottleneck. It doesnt mean that the game will perform badly, just that the video card could conceivably render more frames per second. If he means if the CPU will make the game be choppy then no.

 

[Zebo]

Read this and tell me what *you* think..
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...hreadid=1647944&enterthread=y&arctab=y

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: Mogadon
What's the maximum reslolution your monitor supports?

And what resolution do you usually play your games at?

Unless it's 1600*1200 or above the 7800GTX aint gonna make hardly any difference no matter what CPU you have.

don't listen to him.. exact opposite. Higher res single card, card is limitation. Difference between 3500 and FX-57 is null.

 

[Hacp]

Yes you def do. You need at least an FX-57 overclocked to 3.6 GHZ with 3 MB of Ram to fully take advantage of your video card. Anything less than that will be a dissapointment.

 

[Mik3y]

Originally posted by: Hacp
Yes you def do. You need at least an FX-57 overclocked to 3.6 GHZ with 3 MB of Ram to fully take advantage of your video card. Anything less than that will be a dissapointment.

I think 3MB of ram is a bit much, dont you?

 

[biostud]

It would only limit you at lower resolutions, in which case it doesn't matter since you would still get ridiculous high frames in those resolutions. When running higher resolutions the videocard will be the limiting factor in your system. So no reason to upgrade your CPU.

 

[imported_rod]

3500+ is enough for any VC out at the moment.

RoD

 

[Mogadon]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: Mogadon
What's the maximum reslolution your monitor supports?

And what resolution do you usually play your games at?

Unless it's 1600*1200 or above the 7800GTX aint gonna make hardly any difference no matter what CPU you have.

don't listen to him.. exact opposite. Higher res single card, card is limitation. Difference between 3500 and FX-57 is null.

That's what I said, if you're playing the games at high res, your present card will be the limitation so the 7800GTX will help you out, re-read what I wrote.

Maybe I just didn't write it clearly enough.

 

[Furen]

Your statement says, quite literally, that the 7800GTX will not make a difference unless its running at 1600x1200 or above... and then you just threw in the "no matter what CPU you have" thing in there for no reason.

He was not asking about the video card (which I believe he will buy regardless of what we say), but rather whether or not the CPU will hold him back.

 

[Mogadon]

I'm sorry, I guess I wasn't clear.

What I meant was :

If you are gaming at a resolution less than 1600*1200 you will see very little performance difference between a 7800GTX and 6800U (i'm presuming this is what the OP is running), and this is irrespective of whether you are running a 3500+ or better CPU.

What I expected people to infer from this, as it seems the OP did, was that he might want to think about getting a new monitor if his present one didn't support the higher resolutions at which the 7800GTX would shine.

Originally posted by: FurenHe was not asking about the video card (which I believe he will buy regardless of what we say), but rather whether or not the CPU will hold him back.

Originally posted by: sofakngSo, it doesn't sound like I need a new cpu. Should I still bother getting the GPU?

You are of course right though, I didn't explicitly answer the OPs question. Sorry for any misunderstanding, I'm not trying to step on anyones toes here.