Is it worth it to upgrade GPU with a Q6600 CPU?

[winste]

I currently have a Intel Quad Core Q6600 stock clocked at 2.4.

I recently had to buy a new PSU so I have a decent 650W PSU.

I am thinking about either a 6850, 6870 or 7850.

I play Diablo 3, Crysis 2 and Modern Warfare 3. May get BF3.

Would my CPU cause too much of a bottleneck with the 7850?

Should I focus on a CPU and MOBO upgrade first?

My current GPU is an old 4800.

Thoughts?

 

[Jaydip]

All depends on your budget dude But you can upgrade the gpu now followed by a cpu/mb upgrade

 

[The_Golden_Man]

Your CPU will bottleneck a 7850 VS a better CPU like a Sandybridge. However, it will be way faster VS that 48xx card.

Why not just buy the 7850 try it out, and buy a new mobo/cpu later on?

Edit: Jaydip just beat me too it

 

[winste]

Thanks. Budget is about $175, maybe $200. Just bought a new HD and PSU for my tower and had to get a laptop this summer as well so my wife says my budget is about that until next year.

 

[Rhezuss]

Yep, i'd go 7850 for now, enjoy the speed and later on if need be upgrade CPU/mobo.
Your 7850 will still be ok in a couple years.

 

[tonyjones]

I'm still rocking the QX6700 with 6990 Radeon, there will be a bottleneck at a certain point.

 

[blastingcap]

Your CPU at stock will likely bottleneck a 7850 in some games. IMHO: Either OC the CPU, or get a slower card. If you keep stock clocks on the CPU then a HD 6850 would be a great match and you can overclock it to 6870 speeds and still not bottleneck your CPU too much.

 

[TheVrolok]

Makes me wonder how much my Q6600 may be bottlenecking my gtx285, if at all. Cpu is at stock now after running with no problems at 3.0 for years... Started frequently bsoding that has completely stopped since going back to stock.

 

[buklau]

If you board support overclocking, then I would just increase your FSB to 333mhz and make your Q6600 run at 3ghz. That way it will minimize the bottleneck. If your motherboard does not support overclock and have a G0 stepping Q6600, but still can accept the 333mhz FSB CPU, then I would try to do a pin mod below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/osunick/2474963684/

Most G0 stepping should able to run 333x9 with stock voltage.

 

[tweakboy]

@ 2.4 it will still handle it.

Would be nice if you can OC a bit. I think 2.4Ghz will be a bottleneck for a fast video card.

If your not going to OC save up for a new rig. You can get good mobo cpu combos at microcenter or newegg t... gl

 

[nyker96]

7850 is best option for ur money. OC that q6600 to 3,2+ should be decent enough if you run high rez where gpu will be more bottleneck. still I'd get a cpu upgrade later, if you can wait get Haswell next year.