GPU vs proc

[mike the biochemist]

Hi guys

Wow, it's been a long time since I actually posted - couldn't even remember my account info!

Anyway, I'm thinking of upgrading my GPU, but I'm not sure when my proc is going to start bottlenecking it. PSU's not a problem (this one's running 600 W - OCZ I think).

I currently have an athlon 4000+ (single core, not overclocked - my place gets ridiculously hot in the summer) and 2GB PC3200 along with my X800 XL. My main concern, right now, is running Oblivion at 1600x1200 (with too much running in the background - "I'm only taking a break from work for a minute, I swear")

I've flipped through the charts for the GPU's here on Tom's, but I can't find info on bottlenecking in general, only for specific procs I don't have...

If anyone knows of a good resource I haven't been able to find on this, or if you have specific info, that would be great.

Thanks

 

[Evilonigiri]

Well, what I think is you should upgrade. Everything. Get a new pc. At this day and age, it isn't worth upgrading your pc. Dual-core cpus are dirt cheap, ram is also cheap, the HD3850 is great too...SO MANY GOOD CHOICES!

Seriously, either use your pc till it dies, or get a new one. Build one actually.

 

[nvalhalla]

naw, you have upgrade options. What socket is that CPU? 939 Im guessing? Toss a cheaper X2 in there and get the best GPU you can afford. 8600gt<3850<3870<8800GT You probably don't need extra CPU speed, not much of a bottleneck, but dual cores will help with background programs.

 

[nvalhalla]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103543

Combo offer with aftermarket hs/fan RCX-Z5 for $88.98

GPUs
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122024 $85 no MIR, works great in ES: O if you dont play at very high res.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161211
$169 after $10MIR Awesome card, runs ES: O like a dream

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130314
$215 This is the first one of these I've actually seen! A gamers wet dream a $215

 

[systemlord]

I will show you my medium sized bottleneck that I found today with HOURS of benching my system in my signature. First I overclocked my 8800GTX to Core 651MHz * Shaders 1525MHz * Memory 2000MHz, then I benched my E6600 @ 2.4GHz stock and then @ 3.2GHz. Here are the results using the Crysis GPU benchmarks found in Crysis's bin32 Folder, have a look at the minumum, average and maximum FPS in Crysis @ 1280x1024 75Hz in both 2.4GHz and 3.2GHz. I will take those extra frames per second in a game like Crysis as we will need all we can get! You'll clearly see that my processer was bottlenecking my 8800GTX @ 2.4GHz stock clocked.

By systemlord at 2007-12-07

By systemlord at 2007-12-07

 

[mike the biochemist]

Thanks for the info, guys.

A few more things:

Has anyone checked bottlenecks with older procs and the 3850/70?
(Diamond makes a 3870 for $250... ah Diamond, just like my Viper550 from way back when, with its sweet new AGP interface...)

I’m using a 22” wide monitor, so I intend to play everything I can at 16x10. Can I assume that means no 8600 (given that I’m already running an X800 XL)?

I’ve been looking at ATI since I’ve read (and I’m not trying to start a flame war here, even Tom’s wrote this) that ATI’s drivers are less processor intensive. If that’s changed, I’m open to calm explanations – I don’t care which company makes the card that’s best for my setup, but if an E6600 bottlenecks an 8800GTX, I’d guess my proc is going to bottleneck an 8800GT quite a bit...

...although $215 does look really nice for an 8800...

I’m also looking for something that runs a little cooler so it’ll survive in my place over the summer and keeping my pc quiet would be nice too... my second pc sounds like a vacuum cleaner and it’s really nice to have this quiet one for movies...

systemlord: Thanks for the benchmark – that’s exactly the kind of thing I’m looking for.

nvalhalla: You guessed right, it’s 939. My MB supports SLI, but I don’t think that’s in the cards for a 939 board anymore. I was planning to upgrade to a duel core when I first built this pc, since the cheapest one was ~$600 at the time... then AM2 came along. If I do upgrade, I don’t need a hs/fan.

Evilonigiri: Building a new pc is my backup option, but mine still at least *runs* Oblivion at 16x10, so I’m having a real hard time justifying a new video card for Xmas, let alone a new pc...

 

[pauldh]

You don't need a new system but the X800XL is holding you back for sure. You could plop in an X2 4200+ dual core cpu for $65 or so, but it will only show gains in some games. Nice to have for running multiple aps too though and they are pretty cheap. either way, grab a new GPU for sure.

I have a (single core) FX-55 (2.6GHz vs your 2.4GHz) and 8800GTS and it does very well in Oblivion at 16x10. I wouldn't worry too much about the cpu bottleneck though. Some games are more cpu bound, some more GPU bound. The higher the res and more eye candy (fsaa/af) you use the more the GPU is stressed.

Get an 8800GT, HD3870, or HD3850 in that order, whichever your budget allows.

While CPU scaling tests are usually done at low res just to space the cpu's apart, it's most important to look at the resolution/settings you will be using (max playable settings).

Take for instance, COD4. Notice when tweaked to actual 16x12 4xaa/16xaf settings, the 8800GT is totally the bottleneck as the C2extreme 6800 can't beat the puny X2 4000+. Notice too, the trend continues in UT3 and Crysis. Simply put more often than not when you hit 16x12 and above with eye candy , the GPU's are the bottleneck in most new games.
http://firingsquad.com/hardware/$500_gaming_pc_upgrade/page5.asp

But reduce that to 12x10 and they start to see a cpu bottlneck with the slower cpu's even with fsaa.

Oblivion is actually GPU and CPU dependant, especially around Oblivion gates and town gates with lots of NPC's. Out in the foliage it's more GPU bound. AT 16x10 HDR, 4xaa, 16xaf and max details, you will pretty much be hammering most cards including the mighty 8800GT. With your single core CPU you will find bigger dips in the cpu demanding areas than with a Core 2 Duo setup. But overall, your rig with an 8800GT would be very nice for Oblivion. You'll be able to tweak very high (not max) settings at 16x10. I wouldn't hestate to add an 8800GT or HD3870 to that rig. The 3850 is priced right though so it's a great option at $170. I would not suggest dual 8800GT's though in that rig.

cpu scaling with crossfire X1900XTX:
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2747&p=3

modern GPU's:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/amd_rv670_performance_preview/page7.asp