What is the cheapest CPU that won't bottleneck my r9 280x?

Undeaddude43

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Jun 11, 2014
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My current CPU quad 2 core q6600 bottlenecks my gpu and I need an upgrade.

What is a good and least expensive Motherboard/CPU combo that won't limit my gpu's power and is compatible with my hardware?

I need an ATX form factor mobo and I will also upgrade to DDR3 memory

Quad 2 core cpu q6600
XPS 630i motherboard
4x2gb memory
Western Digital WD Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive Bare Drive
Radeon r9 280x
750w PSU
 
Solution



a combo like this would likely be where i myself would set the line for making sure to not bottle neck a car while maintaining the lowest prices.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NRXYLk

vortical

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Jun 6, 2014
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a combo like this would likely be where i myself would set the line for making sure to not bottle neck a car while maintaining the lowest prices.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NRXYLk
 
Solution
If you upgrade your motherboard, you'll need to upgrade RAM too. Those 630i have DDR2 RAM but anything you buy now will be DDR3 only.

Are you sure you're being seriously held back? That's not a terrible processor.

According to this page you can actually OC your CPU a little, there are step by step instructions. That might squeeze a bit of extra life out of things. If you are genuinely CPU bottlenecked then every little bit of CPU performance will give you extra FPS.
http://www.my630i.com/resources/overclocking.html
DISCLAIMER!!! I know nothing about that site or OCing a Dell OEM machine OR that CPU... I can't tell you whether the steps there are legit or how much risk you'd be taking by following them. I'm only suggesting them as it sounds like you're considering upgrading the CPU+Mobo anyway, so perhaps it wouldn't be the end of the world if an OC went wrong on you? /ENDDISCLAIMER