Upgrade GPU or CPU first? (specs inside)

[peety7]

Currently using a ATI 4850 and a Core Duo e4600 2.4 (OC'd to 2.8).

Should i replace my GPU or CPU first? My budget is about $200 but i cant figure out what would give me more performance.

If other specs are needed i can post those too.

 

[Maziar]

U have a good rig,do u have any problems with it that u want to upgrade?
Plz post the other specs too

 

[dna708]

Can post the uses of your machine? I get the sense that you're a gamer but idk if you do a lot or a few things on the side :-\

 

[peety7]

Yeah this is mainly for gaming.

Full specs:
Windows 7 Release Candidate 64bit
Gigabyte EP43-DS3L
Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 @ 2.8ghz
6 gigs Korsair 800mhz memory
Zalman CPU cooler
WD 7200 RPM HDD
Antec 650W PSU
Gigabyte ATI HD4850
Dual LG 22" monitors @ 1650x1050 resolution each

Thanks for the replies!

 

[peety7]

anyone?

 

[ColMirage]

You don't use two monitors to game do you? (I don't even know if you can do that actually!)

Your CPU is currently your weakest link, as the HD4850 is a good card for 1650x1050 gaming. So if it we're me, I'd go for ;

The Q9550 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

 

[peety7]

You don't use two monitors to game do you? (I don't even know if you can do that actually!)

Your CPU is currently your weakest link, as the HD4850 is a good card for 1650x1050 gaming. So if it we're me, I'd go for ;

The Q9550 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115041

Yeah just use one for gaming. Have the game on one and a browser on the second.

Thanks for the processor link. Was thinking about a quad and this one looks great.

 

[Onus]

That's a tough call. An upgraded GPU can be moved into your next rig; not so with a new CPU. Have you tried overclocking your E4600 a bit more, say to 3.2GHz-3.4GHz? Try that and see how much performance improves, if any. If it doesn't, then a faster GPU will help more. I suspect it will though, but consider how long you will keep this rig before spending a lot on a CPU for a dead socket.

 

[reconviperone1]

The cpu, gpu's like that are way more powerful than your cpu, but imho you don't really need a upgrade.