CPU Gaming Bottleneck

[mtelks]

I just wanted to get your opinion

I have a:

Q9550 @ 3.6
4x1GB PC2 6400 4-4-4-12
P35 Chipset

I recently purchased a Radeon 7870 2GB. My motherboard only supports PCI-E 1.0/1.1. I was wondering how much of a bottleneck my processor, memory and PCIe slot is during gaming.

I'm trying to decide whether it's worth upgrading those other components now.

Was looking at a i5-2500k, 8GB of DDR3 1600, Z77 Chipset.

 

[Burgies]

It may be when the card is really working. I would recommend if you upgrade to look at the current gen i5 3570k.

 

[deadlockedworld]

Yep. It's time for a new motherboard! Your thoughts, but with the 3570k would be a good choice (assuming you will overclock). For more detail let us know what you want to afford, etc.

 

[gamerkila57]

your processor is defiantly holding back the HD 7870 and the 1.1 x16 slot is bottlenecking it by like 20+% depending on the game

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Intel/Ivy_Bridge_PCI-Express_Scaling/23.html

 

[mtelks]

Yes, I'm definitely planning on overclocking. The reason I was looking at Sandybridge was because I read it Overclocks better with less heat. Something like 4-4.5 ghz. Looking to spend something less than $500 for the processor, memory, motherboard.

 

[gamerkila57]

Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157293

G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600MHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Total: $440

Edit: Clock For Clock Ivy Bridge is faster than sandy bridge when both are at the same clocks

 

[deadlockedworld]

Suggestion above seems good. Motherboard brand is debatable.

You have a good power supply? Don't want to take any risks!

 

[seanpull]

ASRock is a great motherboard brand. They're made by ASUS if I'm not mistaken. I still would rather an MSi or ASUS motherboard, but keep in mind, they're $50-$60 more for the same features.

 

[Burgies]

Theres nothing wrong with azrock, they are generally supplying high end features at competitive prices. I have that one and its worked great.

 

[deadlockedworld]

hah .. bad choice of wording. I wasnt questioning ASrock -- I was trying to say that everyone would have different opinions on maker.