How fast of a CPU do I need to utilize my GF4 Ti 4200?

[AtomicDude512]

Alright. I have a GeForce4 TI 4200 which according to various benchmarks is only running at about hafl of what it can do. I have an XP 1700 on a KT333. How fast (in terms of CPU speed and platform) do I need to go to take advantage of all that unused "oomph"?

I can run JK2 at 1024x768 with max details at about 90fps. But I see that some people (at stock speeds) can reach about 120fps at 1600x1200!

 

[rogue1979]

Get a 1700+ "B" for under $60. You will be able to run 2000-2100MHz easily. I got a small improvement going from 1800MHz to 2100MHz. At stock Ti4200 speeds the difference was almost nothing. But when I overclocked it to 300/662 there was a bigger improvement when comparing gaming framerates. So as you reach closer to Ti4600 speeds the GF4 can use some extra cpu power.

 

[BFG10K]

Most of today's games are very CPU limited so you'll often see a larger gain from upgrading the CPU than you will upgrading the GPU if both components have mid-range performance levels (like yours).

In your specific example of JK2 you're definitely CPU limited at those settings except in situations like the swamp levels.