Core i3 2100 for gaming

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs Core i3 2100 for gaming

Enermax

So I have a Core i3 2100, coupled with a GTX 460 768mb and 4GB of RAM, will the Core i3 be a major bottleneck if I were to upgrade to a 6970?

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Reply to adalott

It probably would be.

Are you having issues with your current setup?

What resolution are you gaming under?

I'm assuming your using Windows 7 too?

What PSU are you currently using?

Reply to lunyone

I wouldn't hold off upgrading your video card if you aren't happy with it, your i3 will be a slight bottleneck, not major, but not enough to not enjoy your gpu upgrade, the i3-2100 is very capable. Your cpu can handle more gpu power thats for sure.
decent charts to compare here:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1501/21/
and here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 33-19.html

Reply to Noodletoe

I'm not having any issues at the moment, I upgraded from a Core 2 duo E7200 to the Core i3 with the same GPU and my framerate in some games doubled (Far Cry 2, GTAIV)

I game at 1920x1080

Nah actually, I'm running Vista.

A Great Wall 550w PSU. (Better than you would think)

How much of a difference would i see between the 6970 and the GTX 460 768mb? Would I be better of getting a second GTX? (I have a Z68 mobo capable of 8x/8x SLI)

Reply to adalott

looking at the legit review, the answer appears to be a resounding No.

Starfract two is (apparently) heavy cpu dependant, and it still trumps the top end of a phenom 4 core.

and anyway, the higher the resolution, the more the gfx card has to do.

I imagine the i3 will be perfectly fine for a couple of years at least.

Reply to billybobser

I'd say you might see a 30-40% improvement on gaming FPS, but that is just a guess. Most of the reviews usually have a pretty potent CPU to get their results, so your guess as good as mine.

I would stick with 1 really Good GPU over 2 x lesser GPU's just for the fact that there is less complexity and less power requirements too!

Reply to lunyone

As far as what I've observed, the i3 2100 can handle cards upto GTX 570 / HD 6970 without being a bottleneck.

------------------------------ Intel Core i3 2100, Intel DH61WW MoBo, Corsair Value 4GB DDR3, EVM (Dynet) 2GB DDR3 1333Mhz, 500GB SeaGate Barracuda, Frontech Imagine Case, Corsair CX430
Reply to 008Rohit

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