Serious Gamer Needs Advice on Upgrade PLZ HLP
Tags:
- Homebuilt
-
CPUs
-
Systems
Last response: in Systems
sierra6
July 14, 2011 4:19:44 AM
My computer hardware specs are ATI 5870, 6G DDR2 RAM, Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 2.40GHz, 1000W Power Supply, ASUS P5Q Motherboard(5+yr old) and an Cooler Master Hyper TX3 cpu heatsink as well as a mid size tower with 200mmx2 fans for air circulation.
My problem is that I'm finding games like Badcompany 2, Fallout NV and Total War Shogun 2 are lacking FPS on the high/highest video settings. Im bearly getting a solid 40FPS when im intensive CPU/GPU situations.
My question is should I replace my CPU, MOBO and RAM to stop the bottlenecking or is that normal framerates? If I was to upgrade I was thinking of a Quad core CPU around 3.2GHz ($200.00-250.00 ish), obviously the 5+yr old MOBO has to go and finally the DDR2 too DDR3. What do you people think and thank you very much!
My problem is that I'm finding games like Badcompany 2, Fallout NV and Total War Shogun 2 are lacking FPS on the high/highest video settings. Im bearly getting a solid 40FPS when im intensive CPU/GPU situations.
My question is should I replace my CPU, MOBO and RAM to stop the bottlenecking or is that normal framerates? If I was to upgrade I was thinking of a Quad core CPU around 3.2GHz ($200.00-250.00 ish), obviously the 5+yr old MOBO has to go and finally the DDR2 too DDR3. What do you people think and thank you very much!
More about : gamer advice upgrade plz hlp
addison
July 14, 2011 4:21:54 AM
sierra6
July 14, 2011 4:24:49 AM
Related resources
- Need some serious advice plz! - Forum
- Final Post About my Build Upgrade, need serious advice - Forum
- Need Upgrade Advice (Gamer) - Forum
- Out of date gamer needs upgrade options - Forum
- SERIOUS problem/question INVOLVING ROOTKITS! NEED HELP/ADVICE!!!!!! - Forum
sierra6
July 14, 2011 4:33:03 AM
try if you get a performance boost by overclocking your Q6600. It can hit 3.0 Ghz easily. That should give some performance boost . If that does not work then look for upgrading CPU/Motherboard/RAM
possible overclocking guides would be like :
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2007/07/25/overcl...
possible overclocking guides would be like :
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cpus/2007/07/25/overcl...
m
0
l
Too bad you didn't get a crossfire board. Anyway, the best thing to do is overclock that Q6600. With good airflow and a decent cooler you can hit 3.4Ghz or more on that CPU. I don't recommend spending money on a newer Quad Core for that platform only because the benefit of something like a Q9450 or Q9550 over your current CPU does not justify the price ($300-$400 new online) when you can transition to Sandy Bridge for about the same price.
So for now overclock your CPU, and save up for a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM, and perhaps a second 5870.
So for now overclock your CPU, and save up for a new motherboard, CPU, and RAM, and perhaps a second 5870.
m
0
l
The usual best upgrade to improve FPS is a graphics card upgrade. In this case, however, your 5870 is already a very good card, and the Q6600 is dated.
Most games will not use more than two cores, and the performance per core seems to be the most important attribute of a good gaming cpu.
To help clarify your options, run these two tests:
1) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
2) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.
It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
Most games will not use more than two cores, and the performance per core seems to be the most important attribute of a good gaming cpu.
To help clarify your options, run these two tests:
1) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
2) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 70%.
If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.
It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.
m
0
l
sierra6
July 14, 2011 3:52:57 PM
sierra6
July 14, 2011 4:42:59 PM
manu 11
July 14, 2011 5:04:05 PM
sierra6
July 14, 2011 5:20:36 PM
sierra6
July 14, 2011 7:31:19 PM
Ok so I tried to OC my cpu to 3.0ghz by changing the cpu frequency value to 333. The default multiplier is 9 so that should put the cpu to 3.0ghz. I put my cpu voltage to 1.2v and when I reseted my computer it wouldnt load into windows 7 64bit it would load everything up to that then just restart the computer and loop.... I worked my way up to 1.21875 cpu voltage but still nothing then I defaulted the settings to get better information on this... what should I do??
m
0
l
sierra6
July 14, 2011 7:41:08 PM
sierra6
July 14, 2011 8:45:52 PM
Ok I did some digging and fixed my problem and for one when i said cpu frequency value i meant FSB. I got my cpu to 3.0ghz and its heat setting at lowest 67C highest 72C while under prime95 stress test for an hour which i'm happy with. I'm thinking of pushing it to 3.2ghz considering the cpu is old and ill buy a new one if it dies.
m
0
l
sierra6
July 14, 2011 9:05:19 PM
sierra6
July 14, 2011 9:16:16 PM
Cooler Master Hyper TX3
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=240...
Artic Silver 5 (Thermal Paste)
Graphite Series™ 600T Mid-Tower Case (CORASIR)
http://www.corsair.com/cases/graphite-series/graphite-s...
The question is should I go buy a better cpu cooler or just buy a new cpu/ram/mobo and ebay the still great ram/cpu to make back some cash??
http://www.frostytech.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=240...
Artic Silver 5 (Thermal Paste)
Graphite Series™ 600T Mid-Tower Case (CORASIR)
http://www.corsair.com/cases/graphite-series/graphite-s...
The question is should I go buy a better cpu cooler or just buy a new cpu/ram/mobo and ebay the still great ram/cpu to make back some cash??
m
0
l
sierra6
July 14, 2011 9:28:51 PM
sierra6
July 14, 2011 9:42:34 PM
1.4v
too high!!!
You may just want to start over and read a Core 2 overclocking guide, it will be easier ^_^. Also be sure to orient the heatsink and fan so that it blows air UP and out the case. That should be more effective than blowing it out the back. I'm also going to assume you didn't screw with the fan orientation.
too high!!!You may just want to start over and read a Core 2 overclocking guide, it will be easier ^_^. Also be sure to orient the heatsink and fan so that it blows air UP and out the case. That should be more effective than blowing it out the back. I'm also going to assume you didn't screw with the fan orientation.
m
0
l
sierra6
July 14, 2011 9:50:01 PM
sierra6
July 15, 2011 12:18:55 AM
OK so I'm trying everything to drop my loading tempature that I can think of. I've cleaned from top to bottom every fan as well as reapplied high grade thermal paste. I've also lowered my cpu voltage from 1.4 to 1.3 and yet when I run Prime 95 it creeps up to 70C which I'm using Core Temp, CPU-Z and Speed Fan to monitor. The cherry on top is when my cpu is idling the tempature is 35Cish that's pretty cool in my opnion. I read in a thread about Prime 95 which stated below:
Prime 95
Small FFTs = CPU
In-place Large FFTs = IMC/Memory
Blend - CPU + IMC/Memory
can anyone agree with this?
Prime 95
Small FFTs = CPU
In-place Large FFTs = IMC/Memory
Blend - CPU + IMC/Memory
can anyone agree with this?
m
0
l
ghatt
July 15, 2011 12:24:06 AM
I don't mean to hijack your post but I clicked "solved" on my post by mistake and don't want to annoy people by making a new thread. Since my computer shares similar specs I figured I'd post my intended upgrade here.
http://www.mysterybyte.com/latest-builds/74/
So far I'm thinking of upgrading the video card to a 95, swapping out the i-7 for an i-5. But beyond that I'm at something of a loss.
http://www.mysterybyte.com/latest-builds/74/
So far I'm thinking of upgrading the video card to a 95, swapping out the i-7 for an i-5. But beyond that I'm at something of a loss.
m
0
l
sierra6
July 15, 2011 12:40:08 AM
sierra6
July 15, 2011 1:30:35 AM
ok so after spending the whole day tuning my oc from 3.0ghz to 2.8ghz to finally 2.6 which is .2 faster then my stock settings. Ive come to the conclusion that I'm just going to buy a new CPU/MOBO/RAM instead of buying a new after market heatsink that will sound like an airconditioner in the room I share with my wife. The two 200mm fans and the heatsink I currently have are already somewhat loud but anyways THANK YOU ALL for helping me in this thread OCing isnt for me sorry!!!!!
m
0
l
sierra6 said:
ok so after spending the whole day tuning my oc from 3.0ghz to 2.8ghz to finally 2.6 which is .2 faster then my stock settings. Ive come to the conclusion that I'm just going to buy a new CPU/MOBO/RAM instead of buying a new after market heatsink that will sound like an airconditioner in the room I share with my wife. The two 200mm fans and the heatsink I currently have are already somewhat loud but anyways THANK YOU ALL for helping me in this thread OCing isnt for me sorry!!!!!If your budget will allow a $200 cpu, then look at the 2500K. At stock, it is about the best gaming cpu around. The "K" suffix gives it an unlocked multiplier. All you do is change it from 33 to 40 -45 and you have an easy overclock. That is what it is designed for.
Don't give up on the OC idea , The sandy bridge "K" chips make it easy.
m
0
l
manu 11
July 15, 2011 8:40:17 AM
Related resources
- CPU + other related questions, Need seriously good advice plz. Forum
- SolvedBasic Mid-level Gamer Needs Video Card Upgrade? Forum
- SolvedUpgrade advice - All work (some play) - designer - 3yo PC needs some love Forum
- SolvedI need some serious advice Forum
- SolvedNew OC Gamer needs advice for 2500k system Forum
- SolvedNew build, Serious Cash, need advice. Forum
- need some serious advice Forum
- SolvedMy comp is in serious need of an upgrade Forum
- Solvedoverpriced upgrade ? advice plz. Forum
- SolvedGPU upgrade...help needed plz Forum
- Gamer Upgrading to 7 from Vista 32 Ultimate Need Advice Forum
- SolvedGood time to upgrade my cpu? Need some serious advise. Forum
- SolvedNeed SOLID advice quickly plz Forum
- SolvedUpgrade advice for a Non-Gamer Forum
- SolvedSFF Gamer build - needing advice on GPU, Cooling Forum
- More resources
Read discussions in other Systems categories
!