Core 2 duo bottleneck Ati 5750

[dude101]

Hello,

My specs:

Dell Inspiron 530
Core 2 duo e4600 @ 2.4GHz (stock)
3 GB DDR2 ram
MSI 5750
300 watt PSU


According to benchmarks, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-5770,2446-8.html, I should be getting 47.1 FPS with 4xAA enabled @ 1680x1050 in FAR CRY 2.

But, I am only getting 25-35 FPS in that game. It doesn't matter whether i have it running at a lower resolution, 1280x1024, i get the same FPS.

My question is, Is the CPU bottlenecking the performance, or is the PSU the result of low 3d performance? (What are my solutions?)



IMO, I don't think the PSU is the reason as lowering the resolution doesn't increase the frames per second.

 

[nforce4max]

You got your self in quite a corner and is what you get when you buy pre build systems. Yes your cpu is bottle necking your 5750.

 

[dude101]

Is there a motherboard I could switch to (?) that will allow me to overclock the cpu.

Also, one more quesiton: If I overclock the current e4600 @3.2 Ghz vs. buying a e8500 @ 3.16 Ghz (stock), would the difference be significant among the OC e4600 and stock e8500?

 

[jedimasterben]

1) You won't be able to overclock that CPU on that motherboard.

2) Dell usually uses custom motherboards, frequently in custom sizes, so another motherboard (even standard ATX or µATX boards) may not fit.

3) The e4600 and e8500 are very similar architectures, so one running at 3.2 and the other running at 3.16 will yield roughly the same performance (albeit the overclocked CPU will consume much more power), usually leaning toward the e4600, as it will have a faster bus speed, increasing the speed of other components, as well.

 

[Bluescreendeath]

The E8x00 series has 6mb of cache, is 45nm (runs cooler and uses less energy), and has a more efficient architecture. A 45nm E8400 @ 3GHz will be a good deal faster than a 65nm Core2 E4600 OCed to 3.0GHz.

But the E8x00 series is also overpriced.

See if you can overclock your E4600 since that is your best option. If not, see if your mobo can support 45nm CPUs. If it can, get one of the 45nm PentiumDual E5x00 or E6x00 series, which are good performers and are cheap, or get a 7x00 series.

If your mobo can only do 65nm CPUs, see if you can get a 65nm E6x00 from ebay for around $60 or so, or see if your mobo supports 65nm quads.

 

[jedimasterben]

The E8x00 series has 6mb of cache, is 45nm (runs cooler and uses less energy), and has a more efficient architecture. A 45nm E8400 @ 3GHz will be a good deal faster than a 65nm Core2 E4600 OCed to 3.0GHz.

But the E8x00 series is also overpriced.

See if you can overclock your E4600 since that is your best option. If not, see if your mobo can support 45nm CPUs. If it can, get one of the 45nm PentiumDual E5x00 or E6x00 series, which are good performers and are cheap, or get a 7x00 series.

If your mobo can only do 65nm CPUs, see if you can get a 65nm E6x00 from ebay for around $60 or so, or see if your mobo supports 65nm quads.

I had forgotten about the extra cache. Also, it is very unlikely that the motherboard will support any other processors, much less from a die-shrunk architecture or a different core altogether.

 

[dude101]

I have read on various forums that some people were able to upgrade to e8500 or e8400 core 2 duo on the same Dell inspiron 530.

The only thing is I rather buy a cheap motherboard and try to overclock this e4600. As from Newegg.ca, the price of a e8500 is $215 (and I could use half the money to buy a motherboard.)

The question is which motherboard would be compatible with Dell inpiron 530? that will allow me to OC to like 3.2 GHz

 

[dude101]

I really dont feel its fair that they charge $215 for an old core 2 duo e8500.

The i5-750 sells for $209, which is a far far better processor.

Anyways, hope someone was able to swap out their motherboard of a similar system and could advise me.

 

[dude101]

My case looks exactly like this from inside:

http://images.trustedreviews.com/images/article/inline/5404-IMG7893s.jpg


So, the motherboard is set on the right side of the case when facing from the front.

 

[dude101]

i will check with the dell forums and post back on my findings.

 

[dude101]

It turns out no one has been able to swap in a motherboard in their Dell I-530.

So, I have a quesiton which couldn't be answered by the extensive amount of research I have been doing, Is it possible to swith out to another case? (so I can just buy a new MOBO and set it up in a new case, allowing me to transfer me the current parts and OC the e4600).

 

[gamer9832]

to be safe u shud upgrade psu
im getting ati radeon hd 5750 too
very good card for price

 

[dude101]

Yes, I know. I am just waiting to get a job and already have a huge list of goodies I want (including PSU)!

I actually sent back the Ati 5750 for an exchange with an XFX 5770. The XFX 5770 works nice with the current PSU (will upgrade in about 3 months). I just wanted to be future-proof (a bit) as I soon will be adding a 27" LCD monitor.

So, can my current components be moved to another case with a new MOBO and OC the current cpu (e4600)?

 

[Bluescreendeath]

Yes, you need a new case of course. And maybe a new PSU.

You will need to reinstall your OS since a mobo swap means your current HDD will not recognize your new system.

You can probably sell your E4600 and go for an AMD system since they offer better bang for your buck, or go for a cheap used 775 system and OC your e4600.

 

[nforce4max]

The psu is proprietary and is unlikely a new is going to work properly but that is 50/50. I would go ahead and search for a supported cpu list for your system on the Dell's website. Why since you can't overclock nor replace the board so a new cpu isn't a bad idea although I know that you don't like the price of the e8xxx and I agree. e7xxx

 

[dude101]

OK, I am looking into buying a C2D e7500, as the new case + new mobo seems like a hassle. Its about $130 at newegg.ca.

Will I see a significant difference in performance? For instance, now with the XFX 5770 + e4600, I get about 30-35 FPS in Battlefield Bad Company 2 @1680x1050 resolution. How many FPS can I expect?

 

[nforce4max]

20% or less but greater than 10%. The larger cache as well VT is a plus along being a cooler running cpu. The board, case, psu, is a matter of debate but you don't want to get cheap on any part. All it takes is one bottle neck to hold back the whole box. Do what ever you want with the Dell hell.

 

[dude101]

Haha, "Dell Hell." You are certainly correct; it is like owning a little box of (from) hell.

I am still confused whether I should go for the C2D e7500 ($125) or Pentium e6600 ($105)?

They put up a similar fight?

 

[nforce4max]

The e6600 would be very tempting I would go for it unless you want the extra cache.