Any need to change a 3.5Ghz QX9450

[Kanifee]

Been getting the itch lately.... the upgrade itch, wanting to unrap some shiny hardware so have been looking at what i can upgrade or add to my system, the most prominent areas for an upgrade are usually grfx and cpu so i set about doing my research, easiest and cheapest solution would be to add a second HD5850 to the rig, would supply a good boost in performance and at around £100 S/H is cheap too.

next is the cpu, i currently have a Q9450 running at 3.5Ghz,taking into consideration potential bottlenecks is there a need to change this yet, im not one for buyers remorse and dont make a habit of just upgrading blindly so don't want to change things unless i get noticeable gains, is it worth moving to i5/i7 for gaming?

just realised, can a mod get rid of that X on the q9450, im a tool i know!

 

[SouthEastBlue]

Your CPU with a 5850 thrown into the mix should be more than enough for any game out there to be honest.

 

[koooowweeee]

Your CPU with a 5850 thrown into the mix should be more than enough for any game out there to be honest.

at what res?

sorry but new games need new toys.

i7 and a 480 or higher to max things.

if your happy plodding along then your cpu and 5850 is great. but high end they just dont cut it end of (sorry for bluntness im drunk)

 

[Kanifee]

1920x1200, have to say though 5850 crossfire is a fair bit faster than a single 480 isnt it?

as for cpu. thats the one im not sure about, not sure if ill get a big enough boost in games to warrant the money it will cost.

 

[koooowweeee]

1920x1200, have to say though 5850 crossfire is a fair bit faster than a single 480 isnt it?

as for cpu. thats the one im not sure about, not sure if ill get a big enough boost in games to warrant the money it will cost.

might be true but the issues you have with sli or xfire. also does not work with newer games to an update or new drivers come out. really not worth it in my eyes.

 

[Kanifee]

6950 it is then, back to CPU, what's the impact going to be liked between the two paired with that gpu?

 

[233]

tbh your cpu wont really bottle neck you much if at all.

i'm running a 9450 @ 3.45ghz and my frame rates are within a couple of % of my mates with the same 6970 as me and he runs a clocked 920

 

[lollyhayes]

you may as well hang on for the gtx590 & ati 6990 and also Bulldozer!!! these are likely to shake things up, so you may get a better deal if you hang on a couple of months.
Yo current setup is no slouch!

 

[w00dy85]

Like lollyhayes said wait to see what Bulldozer brings before you upgrade, that's what I am doing.

I have a Q9550 @ 3.4GHz and I could not tell the difference when I overclocked it to 3.6GHz with my 6970, so I set it back to 3.4GHz.

 

[Kanifee]

Looks like I'm stopping the system down and giving her a good clean then to keep me satisfied, was thinking about a water loop for my CPU, if I got.all of the gear how forewards compatible are blocks, is it jusr a case of a new back plate and mount kit or is it a full new block?

 

[Gin0rm0]

I guess it depends on what brand your water black is. I know for my Noctua Air cooler you can just get a different backplate.