Is my CPU holding back my GTX 280?

[mrwaffles]

Hi guys. I recently got a GTX 280 for christmas. I'm running Crysis and Farcry 2 but I'm only getting around 30-50 frames. The wierd thing is, not matter what I change the visual settings to, the game gets the same FPS. I've tried 1024x768 at 0, 4, and 8 AA, then 1280x900, with the same, tried low quality and high quality (in Farcry 2), but I usually get the same results. Is this indicative of a CPU bottleneck? I'm running a core2duo e6600 OCed to 3.6 . I've got a new PSU coming because the GTX recommends 40v at 12amps or something like that (I dunno I'm new to this!) and the enermax I'm using now only puts out 30 at 5. Hopefully the new PSU will fix my frame rate woes. I mean it's not bad, but its not perfect either. It just seems strange to me that adjusting the graphical settings really doesn't affect my frame rate that much.

 

[veyron1001]

Yes your cpu is holding back your new video card but not that much. I believe the Q9xxx intel cpu and above are the only ones that can use the 280 to its full potential. Yea I would advise you to unplug your card and use your old one till you have the new psu. The card is being starved of power.

 

[boulard83]

A duo at 3.6 is WAY ok ... this PSU seems to be the real problem.

what about mobo ? RAM ?

 

[mrwaffles]

I've got an Nvidia 680i Motherboard with the full 16x PCI express lanes or what knot. I'm working with 4 gigs of G.skill DDR21066 PC8400 ram on a vista 64 bit install. Well I already sold the 8800GTX so I'll just have to power starve the 280 for 2 more days until my new psu gets here. Hopefully that will help crank the FPS up.