775 quad cpu

[vwj]

MB: ga-ep45-ud3l
cpu: e6750 OC'd to 3.2
ram: 4 gb (2x2)
psu: 650w
gpu: gts 450

I'm trying to get more life out of my aging, yet still capable system. I'm thinking about upgrading my video card to either a hd 6870, or hd 6950. My pc is strictly use for gaming. I have a few questions about my current cpu.

1) Since I'm still using a dual core, I was wondering if my cpu would bottleneck these cards--particularly the 6870 and 6950?
2) Would upgrading to a 775 quad core be a big difference?
3) How good of a value would it be if I could get a used quad for <$80? (Basically anything from the q6600, q8000s, and lower end q9000s)
4) I know that the q6600 was a very popular chip and exceptional at overclocking. Again, for under $80, am I better off looking for the q8000s and 9000s?

Thanks.

 

[kitsunestarwind]

being on a E6750 a Q6600 is not going to make much of a difference at all
the Higher Q8000/9000 chips are great, even a E8400 Quad core would be a good up (and they o/c very well if its the one i'm thinking of)

A 6870 or 6950 would be a very good up over a GTS450, And even if your CPU was bottlenecking, you could at least start cranking the detail right up

 

[vwj]

Hmm... I read that the Q8xxx aren't that great due to their low cache and speed. If I do manage to get a quad, first thing I'll probably do is OC the heck out of it.

Still debating if I should get a 6870 or 6950. Budget is pretty tight, but i think i can get used 6950s for under $200 and 6870s for under $140. If i go the 6870 route, it leaves me more wiggle room to upgrade to a quad.

 

[amuffin]

A Q6600 would still be a big jump (after overclocked) from the e6750. On ebay you can bid/get a Q8xxx for like 60-90 dollars. However, a Q9xxx processor and a 6950 are an aqwesome pair.

 

[joedastudd]

Depends on the game, but most won't really make use of the extra cores.