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1920x1200 cpu limited?

fizzy

fizzy

fizzy

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16 Jan 2003
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by my pc. :D
Hi,

Upgrading my gfx card shortly, and just looking to see at which point I will be cpu limited rather than gpu limited?

I have a dell 24" monitor, and a socket 939 x2 chip at 2.8ghz. Will be gaming at 1920 x 1200. Anybody know if I will be severely cpu limited if I get an 3870X2, GTX etc, in which case I'll go for a cheaper GT/GTS or 3870 card?

Thanks.

- Ian.
 
Fair enough - was wondering whether it would be a waste for me to splash out on a decent card if my current pc couldn't keep up with it.

Looks like I may see about a new 3870x2 or GTX shortly then. :D
 
i know the x2 loves cpu speed and the cpu speed will up the graphics score in 3dmark06

i got about 700 marks in shader 2 and 3 when i overclocked my Q6600 from 3.2 > 3.7

StevenG
 
StevenG said:
i know the x2 loves cpu speed and the cpu speed will up the graphics score in 3dmark06

i got about 700 marks in shader 2 and 3 when i overclocked my Q6600 from 3.2 > 3.7

StevenG
Click to expand...

Isn't the stock benchmark screen res on 3Dmark06 relatively low though, in which case it tends to be cpu limited anyway? Guess I'm trying to determine the point/cpu speed when the cpu bottleneck switches over to a gpu bottleneck at 1920x1200 on various cards....? :D
 
Wow - what did I miss there? :D

Trying to make sure I don't spend over the odds for a card my system can't make the full use of, mainly as I can't upgrade the cpu anymore (as its a socket 939 system).

If it's not worth getting a 3870x2 for it I may as well invest in a new cpu, board etc at a later date before getting a new gfx card (or at the same time if I get a bonus or something ;) ).
 
Hoping it will be gpu limited as said at that res as in the same situation myself and wanting to upgrade to a 24" and a good card.
 
It'll be CPU limited. I'm gaming at 1900x1200 with 2 HD3870's and they're not liking it. I'm getting very low 3Dmark scores and Crysis benchmarks. If I clock my CPU more then the overall scores go up by more than the cpu score increase. Crossfire setups (which includes the 3870x2) seem to be very dependent on a powerful CPU with lots of cache (cache being the only thing separating my cpu from an E6xxx)
 
Cyanide said:
It'll be CPU limited. I'm gaming at 1900x1200 with 2 HD3870's and they're not liking it. I'm getting very low 3Dmark scores and Crysis benchmarks. If I clock my CPU more then the overall scores go up by more than the cpu score increase. Crossfire setups (which includes the 3870x2) seem to be very dependent on a powerful CPU with lots of cache (cache being the only thing separating my cpu from an E6xxx)
Click to expand...

Thanks for that.

Are you using the default res for 3dmark06 benchmarks? I believe (as mentioned before) that at that res they tend to be cpu limited anyway.

How much difference in game framerates/benchmarks do you get at 1920x1200 when changing the cpu speed - Anything major? (and from what I understand, Crysis is just a resource/power hungry monster of a game anyway. ;) ).
 
I use a 939, fx-60 and its fine at that res. Using an Ultra, I think my first question would be will it fit in your case? you have been warned , mate, there big.

p.s. I went from 2x 7800gt to an Ultra and got 14 FPS to 48 FPS, on crysis Benchmark.
If it will fit go for it....
 
fizzy said:
Thanks for that.

Are you using the default res for 3dmark06 benchmarks? I believe (as mentioned before) that at that res they tend to be cpu limited anyway.

How much difference in game framerates/benchmarks do you get at 1920x1200 when changing the cpu speed - Anything major? (and from what I understand, Crysis is just a resource/power hungry monster of a game anyway. ;) ).
Click to expand...

Supreme Commander is unplayable at default clocks, when I ramp it up to 3.2 it's playable with everything on low but still stalls a bit when nukes start flying. Same with Crysis. They may be GPU limited at higher res but dual-card (and dual-gpu) setups are CPU limited themselves so technically the whole lot is CPU limted :p

When the 45mn Quads come in stock and go back to being a sensible price I'll be upgrading so I'm hoping to see a big difference then.
 
Been playing at 1900x1200 with a few games, and still superb fps. Granted not Crysis, but The Witcher is fluid, can even apply AA and still good.
 
Well, after due consideration - I've bought 2 x powercolor 3870xt's, at the OCUK special offer price (which worked out cheaper than an X2, even on special offer. :eek:). My theory is that I can use them in crossfire on my current board, and if the cpu is a big bottleneck I can use one elsewhere or sell it on. :D

Shouldn't have any case space issues then either. Psu will be fine and has two pcie power connectors.

I'll save getting an X2 (or 2 x2's, or later tech) when I eventually upgrade to a new motherboard, cpu, mem etc etc etc...this should keep me going for a while though.
 
StevenG said:
well bit late now like but heres my findings 3870X2 tests at 1920x1200

2.40GHz - http://www.ste0803.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/06/3d0619202.44aa16af.jpg

SM02 - 4409
SM03 - 4231
CPU - 3389
OVERALL - 10373

3.69GHz - http://www.ste0803.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/06/3d0619203.694aa16af.jpg

SM02 - 4696
SM03 - 4249
CPU - 4999
OVERALL - 11361

these tests were ran at 1920x1200 with 4AA and 16AF

StevenG
Click to expand...

Yup - a bit late, but going by your figures it looks like there's little difference in gfx scores between the 2 cpu speeds. So looks like even x2 tends to be gpu ltd at this res. I think I'll be fine with my two 3870's then. :D

Thanks for the info though!
 
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