Looking for a boost...

[Bones82]

My system in my signature needs a boost. I am having trouble getting NWN 2 to play without chugging along. I need to add a new CPU and graphics card. I do not care to smoke Crysis or anything. I would just like to play NWN 2 maxxed out. I have noticed that the CPU's my motherboard can officially use is 1066 fsb type. Suggestions are welcome and needed on the videocard and cpu.

 

[themisfit610]

Hmm...

That's tricky since without 1066fsb support, you won't be able to use any of the newer C2D's that are very cheap, fast, and overclockable... I bet your board probably could do 1333, maybe not officially. I wonder if any experienced owners of your board would care to comment?

At any case, you would possibly have to spend an extra $90 for a P35 board. It's extra, but not a huge expense...

GPU is easy - either an 8800gt or a 9600gt. The 8800 is still a little faster IIRC, and it's available for as low as $200. A 9600 GT can be found for $150 and isn't much slower.

CPU wise - a lot of people seem to have great luck with the E2160. It's basically a Core 2 Duo with less cache, and at a stock 800MHz FSB. They reportedly go to 3 GHz without much trouble - though at a 4.5x multi that means 2.4 GHz tops with your current setup. Not sure if that's worth it. Cheap CPU at less than $100 at any rate..

If you upgrade your motherboard to one that does 1333fsb (or find a way to make yours work), the E6750 seems to be a really sweet processor. It's a lot more money than the E2160 obviously, but it's very fast

It all depends on how much you can spend I could recommend a Q6600 @ 3 GHz (including a fat HSF), and SLI'd 9800GX2's - plus the massive PSU and new motherboard that would be necessary to keep these parts happy, but that's probably not necessary or within your budget!!

More info pls

~MiSfit

 

[Bones82]

Originally posted by: themisfit610
Hmm...

That's tricky since without 1066fsb support, you won't be able to use any of the newer C2D's that are very cheap, fast, and overclockable... I bet your board probably could do 1333, maybe not officially. I wonder if any experienced owners of your board would care to comment?

At any case, you would possibly have to spend an extra $90 for a P35 board. It's extra, but not a huge expense...

GPU is easy - either an 8800gt or a 9600gt. The 8800 is still a little faster IIRC, and it's available for as low as $200. A 9600 GT can be found for $150 and isn't much slower.

CPU wise - a lot of people seem to have great luck with the E2160. It's basically a Core 2 Duo with less cache, and at a stock 800MHz FSB. They reportedly go to 3 GHz without much trouble - though at a 4.5x multi that means 2.4 GHz tops with your current setup. Not sure if that's worth it. Cheap CPU at less than $100 at any rate..

If you upgrade your motherboard to one that does 1333fsb (or find a way to make yours work), the E6750 seems to be a really sweet processor. It's a lot more money than the E2160 obviously, but it's very fast

It all depends on how much you can spend I could recommend a Q6600 @ 3 GHz (including a fat HSF), and SLI'd 9800GX2's - plus the massive PSU and new motherboard that would be necessary to keep these parts happy, but that's probably not necessary or within your budget!!

More info pls

~MiSfit

My motherboard does support 1066 mhz and 1333 overclocked. It does not support the E6750 though. I checked the list. The Q6600 runs stock at 1066mhz anyways. I am just looking for an upgrade to play NWN 2 maxxed...not overkill. I was looking at maybe the 8600GT or GTS GPU's? Would the E2160 be a huge jump from my current CPU?

 

[AzN]

Your motherboard should support all cpu released currently with a bios update. My Asus p5b vanilla board based on 965p supports E8400 and will support the quad based on penryn.

Go look for a bios and see what CPU you can upgrade.

7600gt is probably the limiting factor and not your cpu. You can easily clock those Pentium D to 4.0ghz especially based on your stepping chips.

Go for 9600gt, 8800gs, 3850 and you should be able to play NWN without a hitch.

 

[Bones82]

Originally posted by: Azn
Your motherboard should support all cpu released currently with a bios update. My Asus p5b vanilla board based on 965p supports E8400 and will support the quad based on penryn.

Go look for a bios and see what CPU you can upgrade.

7600gt is probably the limiting factor and not your cpu. You can easily clock those Pentium D to 4.0ghz especially based on your stepping chips.

Go for 9600gt, 8800gs, 3850 and you should be able to play NWN without a hitch.

So stick with the processor then?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bones82

Originally posted by: Azn
Your motherboard should support all cpu released currently with a bios update. My Asus p5b vanilla board based on 965p supports E8400 and will support the quad based on penryn.

Go look for a bios and see what CPU you can upgrade.

7600gt is probably the limiting factor and not your cpu. You can easily clock those Pentium D to 4.0ghz especially based on your stepping chips.

Go for 9600gt, 8800gs, 3850 and you should be able to play NWN without a hitch.

So stick with the processor then?

it depends .. if you are willing to OC your CPU and you get a new GPU you may well be totally satisfied. If not - then - upgrade further

9600gt seems to be the best bang for buck

 

[AzN]

I really don't think you need to upgrade your CPU. You should just clock it up a little and get a new card. 7600gt isn't exactly speedy.

Video card is the biggest limiting factor with PC games anyway.

Your CPU is a dual core and if you did clock it a little more you can get close to a lower clocked core 2 duo.

4.0ghz Pentium D is probably equivalent to 1.86ghz core 2 duo. Your Cpu still has some life in it long as you overclock some.

 

[Bones82]

So 8800GS or 9600GT?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bones82
So 8800GS or 9600GT?

i believe although you can get the GS for cheaper, the 9600GT is worth the difference - $150 at NewEgg

Here is a recent comparison thread:

3870 vs 8800GT vs 9600GT

here is another discussion on the GS

Don't forget about the 8800GS...

 

[AzN]

9600gt is good @ AA. In raw performance without AA 8800gs and 9600gt is equivalent. Win some lose some.

If you have 20~22" monitor on a budget 9600gt is the better buy with more video memory on board.

I opted for a 8800gs myself since I'm only on a 19" LCD. $110 after rebate. You just can't beat that price for the performance it gives.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Azn
9600gt is good @ AA. In raw performance without AA 8800gs and 9600gt is equivalent. Win some lose some.

If you have 20~22" monitor on a budget 9600gt is the better buy with more video memory on board.

I opted for a 8800gs myself since I'm only on a 19" LCD. $110 after rebate. You just can't beat that price for the performance it gives.

i don't think your awesome deal is available anymore
-i think GS is back to $150 ... same deal with 9600GT as it was $125 after MiR last week ... but for both being $150 without MiR, i'd go for the newer card as it appears to have newer drivers and is a little better at AA
[or has that changed yesterday with the new drivers? Has G80 caught up to G92 completely?]

 

[Bones82]

Went with the 8800 GS. I really just want to play NWN 2 so the extra 30-40 bucks I saved is worth it.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Bones82
Went with the 8800 GS. I really just want to play NWN 2 so the extra 30-40 bucks I saved is worth it.

You can't go wrong. It will be worlds better then your old one.
:thumbsup:

if you remember, report back to us when you get it and let us know what you think

 

[Bones82]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Bones82
Went with the 8800 GS. I really just want to play NWN 2 so the extra 30-40 bucks I saved is worth it.

You can't go wrong. It will be worlds better then your old one.
:thumbsup:

if you remember, report back to us when you get it and let us know what you think

I hope so. I am sick of this piece of crap chugging along in NWN 1. On a side note my cpu overclocked to 3.45 with no problems and only a 1 or 2 degree change in heat.

 

[AzN]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Azn
9600gt is good @ AA. In raw performance without AA 8800gs and 9600gt is equivalent. Win some lose some.

If you have 20~22" monitor on a budget 9600gt is the better buy with more video memory on board.

I opted for a 8800gs myself since I'm only on a 19" LCD. $110 after rebate. You just can't beat that price for the performance it gives.

i don't think your awesome deal is available anymore
-i think GS is back to $150 ... same deal with 9600GT as it was $125 after MiR last week ... but for both being $150 without MiR, i'd go for the newer card as it appears to have newer drivers and is a little better at AA
[or has that changed yesterday with the new drivers? Has G80 caught up to G92 completely?]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130332

 

[apoppin]

You're right EVGA GS deal is still alive!
-i mistook it for the GT sale

the PNY GT was deactivated ... but Newegg also has a CHAINTECH GeForce 9600GT 512MB for $128 after $30 MiR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814145151
-so there is plenty of great choices

 

[themisfit610]

Man those cards are cheap and fast! Amazing...