Running an E6600 with an HD 4870

What resolution are you running?

And are you overclocking your E6600?

he said hes not an overclocker...

I don't have any evidence but I for one think a 2.4 GHZ processor will bottleneck a 4870. I am basing that on the fact that me Q6600 at stock bottlenecks my 8800GTX... when i OC to 3GHZ I get a large increase in FPS.

I'm running 1680x1050. If I were to overclock it to the level of an e8400, you think I could get the 4870? How hard is overclocking, and what are the risks? I'll do it if it means I can get a 4870 without having to buy an e8400.

OP: At your resolution your CPU will bottleneck a HD4870 a little. Which is great because this means you can really increase the AA/AF settings (something the HD4870 does SOOO well) and have not only smooth gameplay, but great image quality as well.
As for overclocking, look to the CPU forums, they have a kings ransom of information on the subject.

So what are you saying exactly? That I should get it, that I won't see much of a bottleneck and that it will be worth the money?

Anyone else have an opinion on this? I'd like all the help I can get, no offense to coozie though.

OP: I am running a HD4870 on a stock E6600 @1920x1200 (see my member info).
The combination decimates all but crysis at this rez WITH AA and high AF.
I have no hesitation in recommending you upgrade to either the HD4870 or an Nvidia GTX260, as is your choice.
Do n`t worry about `bottlenecking` if a game runs faster than the fefresh rate of you monitor just turn the AA/AF up.
As for offence none taken  

Don't worry about bottlenecking... even if there is a bottleneck it won't be more than 1 or 2 FPS, which is quite nothing really.

Get the 4870...its a swell card.

Thanks guys. I kind of get bottlenecking, but don't really understand what it is in depth. Can you explain it a little better for me?

Thanks

Not trying to steal or bump the topic, but I wonder the same. I also have a 6600 on a ds3r p35 and now whit the xfx 4870xxx 512 20 inch 1680/1050. Replaced a 3870 toxic.

There is some thing as videocard scaling I was told and it makes sense in the total picture. I get the basics of bottlenecking and am also curious in the amount of lost performance.

Still I am more than happy with my 4870 whit everything as high as possible, which my 3870 could not. Fallout 3 runs better and that was the point. Even than, socket 775 will be end of life as soon as i5 hits the shelves. Soon enough for a 8600 or 9650 in the final sale. That way it will bottleneck only 4 months or so.