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Thinking of upgrading my CPU. Please help.

ibex333

ibex333

Diamond Member
I was forced to rebuild my system some time ago due to a power supply that died on me. Back then I had no money so I went with an e5200. I cant complain - it's a great CPU and it overclocks nicely, but it's not good enough for GTA IV, plus I can now afford to get something with a little more kick, and I want as much "kick" for my money as I can get.

My only requirements:

a)New CPU must NOT require me to upgrade my mobo. (in sig)
b)Must not cost more than $200, preferably slightly less.


And in the end, a question...

Is there any reason why it would be a bad idea to upgrade right now? Are there any revolutionary CPU changes that are going to happen within a few months instantly making my mobo and cpu completely obsolete? I am well aware of the i7, but according to reviews and benchmarks, the higher end CPUs compatible with my mobo can nearly match a stock i7 in speed and performance(when OC'd), especially when it comes to ONLY games.

Please note that I want to upgrade not because I must but because I can, so if you see any good reason why I should wait till later, please tell me.



Thanks very much.
 
well I noticed your in brooklyn why dont you goto microcenter out in li

atm a q8200 is 140 + tax and the q9400 is 180
but keep watchin last week the q8200 was 120 and the q9400 was 150
so maybe the price will drop back down next week (starting sunday)
 
The E5200 really is the best kick for your money, as you put it. How high did you clock it to? Most of them can reach 4 GHz pretty easily, especially with the 12.5 multi.
 
a 3ghz c2d really isn't good enough for gta4? are you sure you're not gpu limited?

granted, benchmarks show a marked improvement in gta4 with quad cores, but it's not huge. the game should be playable on your overclocked e5200, i would think.
 
the e5200 shouldn't be a bottleneck in that situation, im using one for crysis, intense video editing and audio production without any hickups.

I might recommend picking up a faster video card, but even the 8800gts should be fast enough for at least decent settings.
 
his computer essentially IS an xbox 360. one less core, but the two there are far superior, and the g80 is at least a generation beyond the xbox gpu.

yeah, it's apples to oranges (somewhat), but this game is just not properly optimized for pc's, methinks.
 
Originally posted by: Mundos
the e5200 shouldn't be a bottleneck in that situation, im using one for crysis, intense video editing and audio production without any hickups.

I might recommend picking up a faster video card, but even the 8800gts should be fast enough for at least decent settings.
Click to expand...

Hmm... If there is no real reason for me to upgrade, then I will not throw my money away.
I really needed to know if my CPU will not be a huge bottleneck here, and since this doesn't seem to be the case I suppose I can hold on to it.
 
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