Stock e8400 + HD 5850 = Bottleneck?

[xy0n28]

Hey guys,

I'm thinking of upgrading my PC in order to play some of the nicer looking games that are coming out soon, but unfortunately due to insufficient funds, I can only do so part by part.

I'm thinking of upgrading my old 4870 into a 5850, but I'm afraid my processor will limit the potential of the new card.
Any thoughts? Also, are there any parts that I currently have that will continue to last me for a few more years so I don't have to upgrade yet?

Thanks.

Here's my PC Specs

- Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor BX80570E8400 w/ XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler I5 775

- ASUS P5Q-E LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard

- PowerColor AX4870 512MD5-PPH Radeon HD 4870 512MB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16

- CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

- CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V

 

[ekg84]

e8400 shouldn't be bottleneck for 5850, even today this cpu is decent, also keep in mind that this cpu is 45nm, it runs pretty cool and overclocks very well, u even got 120mm aftermarket cooler. U will notice dramatic fps increase if u do this upgrade.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HIS/HD_5850/5.html

 

[Maziar]

Hello and welcome to the forums
It depends on the games and the resolution that you play.Most games are GPU limited so you'll be fine with them, however there are some CPU limited games too like FSX.
Also when you play on higher resolution,the game becomes less dependent on the CPU and benefits more from the GPU,whereas playing on lower resolutions benefit from the CPU too(in most games)

 

[xy0n28]

Thank you both so much for your quick responses. It's great to hear that the e8400 is still viable - even though my build was from about 2 years ago now.

I guess I will have to head off to the Overclocking section now haha.

 

[ekg84]

U r welcome and good luck!

 

[OvrClkr]

the OP can get 3.8Ghz easy with that cooler, the 8400's overclock very well.