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What can I expect from this CPU?

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  • RAM
  • CPUs
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October 11, 2014 9:36:59 PM

I've been testing Arma 2 lately and I'm getting unplayable FPS wherever I set the graphics. When I check the CPU usage though, it rarely goes over 70% on any core. Is it still possible that it's a CPU bottleneck if this is the case? All temps are okay, I have 800 MB of RAM available, and GPU usage is close to 0% when I use low settings.

Specs (I know it sucks, I'll be building a new one when I have the money):
AMD Phenom X4 9500 @ 2.2 GHz
AM2+ Motherboard
3GB DDR2 RAM
GTX 650 2GB GDDR5
430W PSU

I guess what I'm asking is whether the low FPS is caused by the CPU or if there's something else that could be causing it like DDR2 RAM speeds.

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October 11, 2014 9:42:35 PM

What is your RAM utilization? A lot of games run better with 8GB of RAM.....
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October 11, 2014 9:46:13 PM

ronintexas said:
What is your RAM utilization? A lot of games run better with 8GB of RAM.....


Using about 2.2 GB, but it jumps around a bit with Arma, never to more than 2.5 though.
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October 11, 2014 9:48:31 PM

If you start using virtual memory, the system slows way down and you will have inconsistent performance (i.e. frame rates jumping all over the place). If you are at 2.2 - 2.5GB of 3GB - you are probably using virtual memory.
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a c 398 à CPUs
October 11, 2014 9:50:18 PM

Why 3 gb? Is your mobo triple channel memory?
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October 11, 2014 9:54:03 PM

i7Baby said:
Why 3 gb? Is your mobo triple channel memory?


He might be using a 32-bit OS with 4GB of RAM. AMD only supports dual channel memory.
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October 11, 2014 9:55:59 PM

Then that could be causing a problem. Try 2 x 2gb or 2 x 4gb.
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October 11, 2014 9:56:50 PM

Actually, it is 64-bit. For some reason (I guess to spend as little as they possibly could), HP filled all four slots with 2x512MB and 2x1GB.
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October 11, 2014 10:06:28 PM

Can you mobo handle 8GB of RAM?
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October 11, 2014 10:09:08 PM

So if I did get 8GB of RAM, do you think the CPU would give a decent level of performance? Is there any way to verify whether or not I'm using virtual memory?
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October 11, 2014 10:11:24 PM

ronintexas said:
Can you mobo handle 8GB of RAM?


Yes, but I think only 4 x 2 gb
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October 11, 2014 10:42:43 PM

8GB of RAM would boost the performance. If you are only using 70% of your CPU, you may be ok.....

Before you buy the RAM - have you considered upgrading the computer (mobo/CPU/RAM)? The RAM you buy may not be reusable in the new mobo/CPU combo....and if you are considering the upgrade - you may want to do it all at one time.
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October 11, 2014 10:48:08 PM

ronintexas said:
8GB of RAM would boost the performance. If you are only using 70% of your CPU, you may be ok.....

Before you buy the RAM - have you considered upgrading the computer (mobo/CPU/RAM)? The RAM you buy may not be reusable in the new mobo/CPU combo....and if you are considering the upgrade - you may want to do it all at one time.


I was originally considering getting new mobo, cpu, and ram, but I'm wondering if I would be better off investing in a better GPU, or if my 650 is already getting slowed down by the Phenom.
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October 11, 2014 11:16:14 PM

Your GPU is on the lower end as well....with upgrading everything - you may be looking at a new PS as well.....
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October 11, 2014 11:31:49 PM

Thanks for all your help. I guess I'll just have to see how much money I can spend before I make any final decisons.
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October 12, 2014 12:26:38 AM

cjgeist said:
I've been testing Arma 2 lately and I'm getting unplayable FPS wherever I set the graphics. When I check the CPU usage though, it rarely goes over 70% on any core. Is it still possible that it's a CPU bottleneck if this is the case? All temps are okay, I have 800 MB of RAM available, and GPU usage is close to 0% when I use low settings.

Specs (I know it sucks, I'll be building a new one when I have the money):
AMD Phenom X4 9500 @ 2.2 GHz
AM2+ Motherboard
3GB DDR2 RAM
GTX 650 2GB GDDR5
430W PSU

I guess what I'm asking is whether the low FPS is caused by the CPU or if there's something else that could be causing it like DDR2 RAM speeds.


Upgrade Ram to atleast 4 GB. That game is CPU intesive. Your Phenom X4 should be able to handle it , i am playing that game with 550ti and Q9650 at 27-32 fps easily with 4 Gb ram.
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October 12, 2014 1:09:53 AM

The Phenom X4 is a very weak processor. Any Core 2 duo/quad is miles ahead of the Phenom X4. I highly doubt that that processor will play arma 2 very well at all even with more RAM.
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