Powerful CPU... slow GPU... powerful GPU... slow CPU

[NEVERwinter]

hehe.. my friend asked me something interesting and I can't answer it

"what if a powerful CPU paired with an old GPU (e.g P4 2.2GHz with GeForce256) compete with a slow CPU with the most powerful GPU (e.g AMD K6-500 with GeForce4 Ti)? does they perform the same?"



i might want to know your opinions....

 

[TechMasterChen]

Interesting question. I'd have to say maybe at 640x480 the performance may be somewhat the same give or take 15fps, I've never run any benchmarks for a comparsion like that. I would think as the resolutions would go up the GeForce256 would become a bottleneck for the P4 2.2ghz while the AMD processor would be the bottleneck for the GeForce4.

If someone gave me a choice of these two machines I'd feel more comfortable with the P4 2.2 ghz and GeForce256 for todays games. I currently run a 733mhz PIII with a GeForce 256 pro card and can play most games at 1024x768 with most options on and still achieve good FPS.

 

[Blurry]

Actually at 640*480 there is a large difference between cpu speeds since that resolution is mainly the CPU bottleneck. I however, prefer a AMD k6 500 with the Geforce 4 TI since the GF4 can take out a lot of processing power.

 

[Jeff7]

Upgrade both.
Stuff's getting pretty cheap; you could get a T-bird mobo and a GF3 Ti200 fairly cheap on the FS/T forum - could probably get all of that for the price of a new GF4 Ti.

Biggest thing that the processor would bottleneck would be games like Giants, with lots of polygons, large maps, and the AI of multiple enemies at once. Plus if you are on a slower proc system like a K6-2, the bus transfer speeds will be a lot lower than newer systems, which will also help to chain down a powerful video card.
I guess having a GF256 and a fast processor probably would be best; the video card could then operate at its full potential. Plus it would be easier then to just upgrade the video card in the future.

 

[Blurry]

Also, next time, post this in the Video Section of the Forums