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stewgats   04-30-2009 at 07:44:54 PM

Im thinking of upgrading my Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 3.0ghz because of low frame rates, and benchmark05 scores arent high enough for the video card im planning on using. My budget is around 80$-200$ depending on where my money is better spent.(ex:Do I get the Nvidia 260 or stick with 9800gt)

Currently I have a Nvidia 7300LE, latest benchark scored me a 1977, with 4000 cpu score!! I was amazed!!

With my 9800 GT I only scored 7700 with 2000 CPU score, why is the CPU score dropping ? ? The newer cards claim to take a load of the cpu !


I dont want to spend a whole lot of money, and I also dont want to upgrade to something that not gonna double my CPU's performance. I need peoples opinions on the Intel Core 2 duo E7400. At 2.8ghz with 3mb cache is this going to outperform my current processor ? Does this also mean that its really 5.16ghz because its two cores ? If not then isnt my current CPU almost just as good for gaming ?

I also might be considering a cheap quad core, but after reading the post at the top, I see dual cores, are almost as good as quads at playing games.


------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
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jay2tall   04-30-2009 at 08:55:12 PM
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First off, what motherboard do you have? Is it an LGA775 Pentium 4?

Second, no the dual core just means you have"2" CPU dies within the actual physical CPU. They each run at 2.8GHZ. And yes they will run circles around your P4. It is not so much speed anymore as the architecture of the chips and the supporting chipsets. just because it runs fast does not mean it can process faster.

I think anything more than your current 9800Gt will be a waste on your P4. It will struggle to sent information to the GPU and just be a huge bottleneck. Your CPU is your weak spot right now. That 9800GT will run WAY better with a faster CPU.

Reply to jay2tall
stewgats   04-30-2009 at 09:14:59 PM
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Im not sure, but I do know the socket is 775! I had to make sure before buying a new motherboard.(I originally thought the bottleneck was on my PCI-express 4x)

Thx for answering a question simply, Now its just a matter of me choosing which processor to buy! Tiger direct has a limited amount of CPU's listed on their website, so theres really only 2 that im eyeing out.

------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
 Reply to stewgats
DXRick   04-30-2009 at 09:35:22 PM
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You need to find out what CPUs your mobo can support, and you may need to update the BIOS for them. Just because it is a socket 775 does not mean it will support the latest CPUs.

You also should upgrade to 2G RAM.

Reply to DXRick
jay2tall   04-30-2009 at 09:38:27 PM
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It's only a PCI-E 4x? Oh yeah THAT would be a bottleneck as well, and it would be a PCI-E 1.1. You need a new mobo and cpu my friend.

Reply to jay2tall
megamanx00   04-30-2009 at 10:04:00 PM
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I guess I can't really rag on you since my last system was an Athlon 3000 XP with a 1950GT AGP. Anyway I also say you should get a new CPU/Motherboard combo. Go to new egg and see what combo deals there are. For that budget though I say go with something like an AMD 7850 with a 780G board and some more RAM.

------------------------------ Playing X-Men Origins: Wolverine Athlon 64 X2 5000+ @3.24 Brisbane | GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-DS4 | 4GB Mushkin DDR2 1066 | Plextor 760A| 2x 3850 512M CF| WD 1TB Black| Fortron Blue Storm II 500W | APEVIA X-Dreamer Black | Win XP Pro & Vista Buisness 32bit
 Reply to megamanx00
stewgats   04-30-2009 at 10:36:56 PM
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Well PCI e 1.1 running a 9800 gt is no different running on PCI 2.0 (16x).

I bought a new mobo, and ive ran the tests.

So currently Im just baffled on whether or not to buy this E7400. I cant seem to find any charts comparing it to the other processors, I also cant find anyone using it in the 3d benchmarking database.

Its pretty much a turn off, since I cant find performance logs on what im buying, which is why im on here trying to figure out whats worth it or not. I dont want to spend money on a half arsed CPU, when in another year or two new generation sockets cpu are going to go on sale.

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
 Reply to stewgats
KyleSTL   04-30-2009 at 11:42:40 PM
- 0 +

Problems:
- 1GB ram
- 3.0GHz P4 (this definitely holds back your 9800GT by a significant amount)

Wait, are you running a 9800GT (in your posts) or 9600GT (in your signature)? Not that it really matters, your limiting factor it definitely your processor in both cases.

Quote :

Well PCI e 1.1 running a 9800 gt is no different running on PCI 2.0 (16x).


Not true. Each PCIe 2.0 lane has double the bandwidth of a 1.1 lane. If your testing has shown no BENEFIT, that's a different story. Also, it depends on the number of lanes your MB is running (as jay stated, 4 lanes will definitely hold back a 9800GT).

Edit: The performance of the E7400 will be between an E5400 and an E8600. It's approximately equal to an X6800 or E6850 if you can find those in comparisons. And as was stated before an E7400 is many times more powerful than your P4 and will equate to massive gains in performance.


Message edited by KyleSTL on 04-30-2009 at 11:49:20 PM
Reply to KyleSTL
logainofhades   05-01-2009 at 12:18:25 AM
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stewgats wrote :

Well PCI e 1.1 running a 9800 gt is no different running on PCI 2.0 (16x).

I bought a new mobo, and ive ran the tests.

So currently Im just baffled on whether or not to buy this E7400. I cant seem to find any charts comparing it to the other processors, I also cant find anyone using it in the 3d benchmarking database.

Its pretty much a turn off, since I cant find performance logs on what im buying, which is why im on here trying to figure out whats worth it or not. I dont want to spend money on a half arsed CPU, when in another year or two new generation sockets cpu are going to go on sale.




It is not a half arsed CPU. You can probably find benches somewhere of an E7200. E7400 will be just a bit faster than that. Same family of CPU's just higher multiplier. Your P4 pales in comparison performance wise to any core 2 based chip really and is really holding you back. Get the CPU and some more ram. As cheap as it is right now just get an inexpensive 4gb kit of ddr2. Assuming you are under Win XP 32bit still it will only read 3.25-3.5gb or so but will allow for extra ram for gaming and still keep it in dual channel.


Message edited by logainofhades on 05-01-2009 at 12:18:57 AM
------------------------------ Antec 900, 750w Corsair, Biostar T-force TA790gx 128m, Phenom II 940 @3.6ghz 8gb G-Skill DDR2 1000, 750gb F1 Samasung, 1tb Seagate ES.2, Sapphire 4870 1gb

 

Reply to logainofhades

konenavi   05-01-2009 at 03:17:25 AM
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I've got an e7200, which as stated is just a little slower than the 7400, great little chip, and it comes highly recommended from a speed/stability stancpoint. Runs really with an OCed Palit 8800gt so you'll be fine although mine is a P35 board, so it is a full x16 lane. If you need individual benchies ask me I can probably get some.


Message edited by konenavi on 05-01-2009 at 03:17:55 AM
Reply to konenavi
stewgats   05-01-2009 at 07:17:59 AM
- 0 +

Well, im sorta convined that this CPU will be a good upgrade for the money spent.

Id like to see those benchies konenavie, post them here!!

Also about PCI-E, the bandwidth is more than double on pcie-16x, but the thing is, the video cards being used today arent even utilizing that full bandwidth. I was told this in the graphics department of these forums. Just now the new 260+gtx cards are doing slightly better in a pcie 16x. Anything under that will perform the same according to what ive been told on these forums!

Anyways thx for the input, ill re-read some number and figure out whats best for now

------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
 Reply to stewgats
mi1ez   05-01-2009 at 02:49:56 PM
- 0 +

I would second what's mainly been stated already. The processor looks like a good upgrade but the 4 lanes of PCIe 1.1 bandwidth will also be holding your GPU back.

Reply to mi1ez
KyleSTL   05-01-2009 at 04:21:51 PM
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Ensure your motherboard supports it before you purchase.

Reply to KyleSTL
stewgats   05-01-2009 at 08:16:59 PM
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All I have to make sure is its socket 775, and it has compatable fsbs right ?

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
 Reply to stewgats
KyleSTL   05-01-2009 at 08:22:52 PM
- 0 +

- Find the manufacture (should be listed on the motherboard somewhere, or you can get a utility like Everest to read the infromation)
- Find the model number (Everest or on the motherboard)
- Go to the manufacturer's site and look for "CPU support list" somewhere in their support side

Everest Ultimate 5.01

Reply to KyleSTL
logainofhades   05-03-2009 at 05:25:50 PM
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stewgats wrote :

All I have to make sure is its socket 775, and it has compatable fsbs right ?




P35, X38, P45, X48 are all Wolfdale compatible. Older chipset boards will vary depending if bios update was released. Check with the manufacturer of your board even if you have P35. Some of the early ones will not have official bios support for 45nm possibly.

------------------------------ Antec 900, 750w Corsair, Biostar T-force TA790gx 128m, Phenom II 940 @3.6ghz 8gb G-Skill DDR2 1000, 750gb F1 Samasung, 1tb Seagate ES.2, Sapphire 4870 1gb

 

Reply to logainofhades

stewgats   05-03-2009 at 06:26:19 PM
- 0 +

- LGA775 for Intel® Dual Core Extreme Edition / Pentium® D / Pentium® 4 / Celeron® D processors
- FSB 1066/800/533 MHz
- Supports Hyper-Threading Technology
- supports Intel® EM64T CPU

Will I be able to run e7400 or e5400 on this ?

Message quoted 1 times
------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
 Reply to stewgats
million3g   05-03-2009 at 11:02:00 PM
- 0 +

cpu is def one bottleneck you have. another is most likely the he mobo also and the ram.

Reply to million3g
logainofhades   05-04-2009 at 12:25:15 AM
- 0 +

stewgats wrote :

- LGA775 for Intel® Dual Core Extreme Edition / Pentium® D / Pentium® 4 / Celeron® D processors
- FSB 1066/800/533 MHz
- Supports Hyper-Threading Technology
- supports Intel® EM64T CPU

Will I be able to run e7400 or e5400 on this ?



Highly unlikely going by those specs. What chipset is in that board?

------------------------------ Antec 900, 750w Corsair, Biostar T-force TA790gx 128m, Phenom II 940 @3.6ghz 8gb G-Skill DDR2 1000, 750gb F1 Samasung, 1tb Seagate ES.2, Sapphire 4870 1gb

 

Reply to logainofhades

stewgats   05-06-2009 at 09:46:22 PM
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http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview. [...] ual-880Pro

I should have added this first sorry guys


Also im going to be using a P5N73-AM motherboard with this new CPU. I can choose E5400 dual core(3mb cache,2.7ghz), or for 70$ more a Q8200 with 4mb cache at 2.3ghz!

I read that a faster dual core, is better than a slower quad for gaming purposes. I lookt at some benchmarks and for 70$ more the quad core gets 2x the score. Plz help me decide!


Message edited by stewgats on 05-06-2009 at 09:50:44 PM
------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
 Reply to stewgats
KyleSTL   05-07-2009 at 10:16:56 PM
- 0 +

The idea that duals are better than quads is dying (it should have died a while ago, IMO).

Reply to KyleSTL
joefriday   05-08-2009 at 03:17:02 AM
- 0 +

the Asrock 4coredualVsta does not support 45nm CPUs (such as the e7400 you're eyeing). Glad you got a new board.

 

Also, the 3.0GHz P4 you currently own is very close to being the same performance as the 1.8 GHz CELERON 430. The Celeron is actually just a hair faster. Hope that helps to give you a point of reference on how slow your P4 is compared to anything modern.


Message edited by joefriday on 05-08-2009 at 03:19:47 AM
Reply to joefriday
stewgats   05-10-2009 at 09:52:22 PM
- 0 +

Well guys, im still debating whether or not I should save this measly 70$ and just go with the e7400.

Im not really working soo any money saved would be going to a new PC in a year or two!

------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
 Reply to stewgats
restricted-x   05-11-2009 at 12:34:14 AM
- 0 +

man i just got rid of my Pentium 4 ht @ 3200 and upgraded to a entry Amd x2 3800 @2.2ghz

i got the mobo 2nd hand for 80 bucks and the cpu free of a mate..

but thats not the point. the point is say with mass effect i was getting 15fps with the P4 and a 8800gt but now with the duel core i get 25-40fps...

in other words ditch the p4 and upgrade to a duel core and nomatter what duel core you get you will get a huge performance increase.

Reply to restricted-x
stewgats   05-13-2009 at 08:56:50 PM
- 0 +

Yeah I got a almost 2x peformance!

3dmark 05 score is now 13400.

Still abit low, its prolly my cheap two 1 gig sticks of ram......

------------------------------ 2g DDR2, Intel(R) Core 2 Quad) Q8200 @ 2.33ghz, NvidiaGeforce 9600 GSO, 500W PSU
 Reply to stewgats
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