Am I CPU limited or GPU limited?

Cromulent · 12 Dec 2012 at 14:42

I currently have an i7 3930k running at 4.2Ghz and an AMD Radeon 7950 which has been overclocked as well (I forget what the settings are).

So if I get a much better GPU next year (say the Nvidia 790 assuming it will be called that) will I get the best out of it or will I need to find a way to overclock my CPU even further to get the best?

Idleman · 12 Dec 2012 at 15:53

Neither, I would say. What resolution are you playing at?

Addicted · 12 Dec 2012 at 15:55

Impossible to say without first seeing how much quicker the next gen cards are, but realistically very unlikely.

zakblood · 12 Dec 2012 at 15:56

it depends on what you are playing and at what res, you could always stick in another 7950 while you wait

Cromulent · 12 Dec 2012 at 15:57

Idleman said:
Neither, I would say. What resolution are you playing at?

2560x1440.

Idleman · 12 Dec 2012 at 16:05

Cromulent said:
2560x1440.

Stick in another 7950.

Devrij · 12 Dec 2012 at 16:08

In the vast majority of games, you'll be GPU limited for now.

shadow_boxer · 12 Dec 2012 at 16:31

Still gpu limited in all probability.

Cromulent · 12 Dec 2012 at 16:42

shadow_boxer said:
Still gpu limited in all probability.

Well seeing as the 7950 comes with 3 free games, all of which I was going to buy anyway I guess that is the best option for me until the new GPUs come out next year.

Devrij · 12 Dec 2012 at 16:47

Cromulent said:
Well seeing as the 7950 comes with 3 free games, all of which I was going to buy anyway I guess that is the best option for me until the new GPUs come out next year.

Yeah, definitely. I have a nearly identical setup and I am always short of GPU grunt in AAA titles.

Orcvader · 12 Dec 2012 at 16:50

Cromulent said:
Well seeing as the 7950 comes with 3 free games, all of which I was going to buy anyway I guess that is the best option for me until the new GPUs come out next year.

It would suprise me if the next gen cards can beat a pair of overclocked 7950s. Probably best to wait for the generation after if you want some proper performance gains.

Cromulent · 13 Dec 2012 at 16:55

Well I've ordered a second 7950. It is due tomorrow. Lets hope that it provides a decent speed boost. I really want to be able to play Rome 2: Total War in all its glory when it is released next year. In the mean time I'll stick with Shogun 2: Total War instead

.

Cromulent · 14 Dec 2012 at 17:59

New graphics card is working perfectly

. Thanks for the advice.

BrianB · 14 Dec 2012 at 18:05

Nice one, grats on the free games. What kind of fps increase did you get?

illuz · 14 Dec 2012 at 18:29

Cromulent said:
Well I've ordered a second 7950. It is due tomorrow. Lets hope that it provides a decent speed boost. I really want to be able to play Rome 2: Total War in all its glory when it is released next year. In the mean time I'll stick with Shogun 2: Total War instead .

7950 CF + 3930k will play this no problem I presume.

Cromulent · 14 Dec 2012 at 22:00

BrianB said:
Nice one, grats on the free games. What kind of fps increase did you get?

I've only really played Shogun 2 so far today but I did do a little testing with it.

Single card - stock clock = 40fps average
Single card - overclocked = 47fps average
Dual card - stock clock = 70fps average

I'll play around tomorrow with overclocking them both and see if I can get that any higher.