dragonfire665

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Jun 4, 2008
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Ok, so i builded my computer 3 months ago and i most say im loving it but i have some questions and hopefully i get some help. I want to upgrade my GPU and since i have an EVGA they offer a Step Up Program, which allows me to upgrade my current GPU for a different and all i have to pay is the difference (heard good things about it). Here is my system

MOBO: EVGA 780i Sli
CPU: Intel Q6700 2.66Ghz 1066(not OC)
RAM: OCZ 2GB 800Mhz Sli Ready Memory
Chassis: NZXT Lexablackline Red
PSU: Ultra X-Pro 750Watts Sli Ready
HDD: 2 WD Caviar 7200 RPM (1 500Gb, 1 640GB) both HDD have cooling system
GPU: EVGA 9600GT
CPU FAN: Thermaltake Golden Orb II

So i want to upgrade to the Geforce 260GTX and i know as i read thats an amazing card and the difference from the 9600GT to it will be huge, and let me say that the 9600GT plays all my games amazing including Crysis (even though i dont like it that much). I dont want to get the 280GTX cuz is too much money, for just $80 more i get the 260GTX which is more reason why to upgrade.

The other issues is do anyone think that my CPU my bottleneck my games? I really wanted to build a good system and i know is not a $5k system but i still like it and is does amazing, and agian the more i pay the more but i dont think thats true all the time. So if anyone can give me some suggestion i will appreciate it very much. thank you in advance
 
Setup program: http://www.evga.com/stepup/
Setup FAQ: http://www.evga.com/stepup/default.asp?switch=3
Setup Terms & Conditions: http://www.evga.com/stepup/default.asp?switch=2

Probably not - but you didn't list any other games you play besides Crysis. The only game I suspect would be bottlenecked by your CPU is MS Flight Simulator X.
You could get a bit more CPU power out of the Q6700 though overclocking. Just a mild bump-up to 3.2Ghz will give you performance close to the $1400 Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9770.

For most games the 9600GT will be the first bottleneck.
After that the 2GB RAM could be the next bottleneck for some games especially if you're using Vista. And even for some game under XP.

 

dragonfire665

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Jun 4, 2008
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Ok i did forget to say this im using Windows XP Pro 32bit. Games that i play are Bioshock, CNC Kanes Wrath + Tiberium 3, The Witcher, Frontlines, Lost Planet, Black and White 2, Company of Heroes Opposite Fronts, World In Conflict, Guild Wars and a bunch others, and by the way i havent finished most of them, even though im a gamer i dont play them that much, about twice a week i play. too busy with college and full time work but i still love playing them when i get a chance and messing with my computer

about the overclocking i have never overclocked a system and i am afraid of doing so and ruin my warraties for my many parts. its not that i cant afford them again but why should i when i already bough them once.

any suggestion?