Bottleneck question 8800GTS and a 3700+

[kirbz]

Hi all

I have a pretty dated system and want to breathe some new life into it.
I am thinking of replacing my beasty x800 with one of the 8800gts.
I play at 1280x1024 res so I'm guessing that the 320mb version will be ok.

Now for the questions, I currently have the following specs
A64 3700+ @ 2.8
2 gig ddr400 Ram

Will my cpu running at 2.8 prevent the bottleneck?
I also have a 450 watt psu, will that be enough?
Will I need to get a dual core CPU?

I don't really want to fork out for a C2D system if this will be ok.

 

[Snakedoctor]

Your CPU will be a bottleneck. You are much better off with Intel C2D.

 

[kirbz]

oh man not really what i wanted to hear, although I was expecting it.
How would an overclocked dual core fair with one?

 

[Dark_Angel]

Your CPU will be a bottleneck. You are much better off with Intel C2D.

True. Even with a dual core. Especially because of your screen res.

I would say a GT 512 anyways, a little more "futureproof" if there is such a thing, as 320MB is barely enough now.

But yeah, a cheap C2d setup (50 pounds motherboard, 30 for ram, and a E2160 for about 40) is probably your best bet.

 

[kirbz]

I would say a GT 512 anyways, a little more "futureproof" if there is such a thing, as 320MB is barely enough now.

Yeah I said the gts purposely as its older tech and I thought it would be more suitable for my rig.

ah well it was just a thought anyway.

P.S. Thank you all for your replies guys

 

[Nick644622]

Don't be put off, get a 8800 GT, it'll fly compared to what you have & can go in your next set up & be even faster. (I just put one in my S939)

 

[kirbz]

Yeah I think I’m going to have to see how the money pans out I think.

Btw what rig are you running it on?

And I know it doesn’t mean much but what 3dmark score do you get?

 

[Nick644622]

XP 3700. I don't have 3dmark to be honest. I can just about max everything on Doom3 @ 1280x1024 (better @ 1024x768) & Crysis is smooth with everything on low. I can live with that.

 

[kirbz]

If I get 1 I don't think it'll for a month or so.

Anyway thank you for you input.

 

[Nick644622]

I got the silent one by MSI, as I have a thing about noise at the moment. For some reason O.C. didn't stock this one. It is more expensive but runs way cooler than others according to other's posts. (Waits for somebody to say the card is only cruising, waiting for the CPU all the time )