Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > General Homebuilt > Limiting factor: CPU or GPU?

Limiting factor: CPU or GPU?

Forum Homebuilt Systems : General Homebuilt - Limiting factor: CPU or GPU?

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gedoe_   10-03-2009 at 09:35:58 PM

My system:

Athlon X2 4400+
X1950 pro
4 Gb ddr2
1440x900

Games i play: Counterstrike source, Left 4 dead, streetfighter IV, Team fortress 2.

Would i benefit more from cpu upgrade or from gpu upgrade?

ty

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GhislainG   10-03-2009 at 10:27:01 PM
- 0 +

Unless your CPU is close to 100% utilization (monitor it using Task Manager while playing), a new GPU like the Radeon 4770 or 4850 would provide more benefits.

Reply to GhislainG
False_Dmitry_II   10-04-2009 at 01:44:27 AM
- 0 +

I can tell you that if you go with the 4850, your CPU will become the limiting factor. But it is a good card.

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gedoe_   10-04-2009 at 03:06:00 PM
- 0 +

yeah i was thinking about buying a HD48x0 right now, and replacing the mobo/cpu in another year from now. CPU utilization goes from 100% to 95% in left4dead when i overclock the CPU 19%.

I just dont want to spend €100 on a card right now and discover that my frame rates stay exactly the same.

Reply to gedoe_
GhislainG   10-04-2009 at 03:39:13 PM
- 0 +

Quote :

yeah i was thinking about buying a HD48x0 right now, and replacing the mobo/cpu in another year from now. CPU utilization goes from 100% to 95% in left4dead when i overclock the CPU 19%.

If your CPU utilization is 95%, then getting a better video card will help, but maybe not as much as you'd like (at least in that game).

Reply to GhislainG
gedoe_   10-04-2009 at 09:47:38 PM
- 0 +

I think ill go with a hd 4850 or equivalent card once HD5750 releases later this month

Reply to gedoe_
xaira   10-04-2009 at 10:51:38 PM
- 0 +

5770 ftw

------------------------------ "Envy is ignorance" - Henry Thoreau : Best quote ever.

http://www.pingtest.net/result/3022953.png
 Reply to xaira
False_Dmitry_II   10-04-2009 at 10:53:44 PM
- 0 +

Oh, you'll definitely see an improvement. I went from the x1950 pro to the HD 4850 in the spring. I had a 4600+ x2 at the time. I've just upgraded the CPU from it to a x3 phenom II 720 and saw another boost this past month. So it's not a bad path.

Reply to False_Dmitry_II
gedoe_   10-12-2009 at 02:48:52 AM
- 0 +

Hi guys just wanted to let you know i went with a secondhand HD4830 (€55, fair price) and it really helps alot. L4D went from low to high while increasing framerates and resolution. Putting the particle density to normal or low helps alot as it is the most CPU - demanding setting.

In the action now fps never goes below 50, in the old days id touch 30.

ty replieers

Reply to gedoe_
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