cpu bottleneck graphics

[ben_k]

I wan't to update an old HP m7530.uk pc with some new ram, psu and graphics, but if i were to put a 8800 or 9800GT in, i know / have been told it will not perform to its best with the old D 3.4GHz cpu and may bottleneck.

In what way will it effect the performance, surely in say Call of Duty 4 now with everything low and it still not hitting 125 fps it should after the upgrade and maybe a push up on some other things until the cpu is maxed out cuz it will get to the stage where the graphics run quicker than the cpu or something? :S

dunno

anyway theres
2GB (2x1GB) Corsair Value Select, DDR2 PC2-5300 (667), 240 Pin, Non-ECC Unbuffered, CAS 5-5-5-15

512MB HiS HD 3850 FullHD 1080p PCI-E 2.0, 1656MHz GDDR3, GPU 668MHz, 320 Cores, 2xDL DVI/HDTV, HDCP

and im not 100% sure on a psu as the one ive got now is a HIPRO 300W

 

[R34pz]

I would say you should notice a massive improvement and run COD4 maxed out. Despite your cpu being a bit slow, most games rely more on a decent graphics card nowadays. You should definately upgrade that power supply too, as the one you've got is particularly poor and underpowered. If it was to fry due to strain from the new hardware, the chances are it would take everything else down with it. Personally I would get a 4850 over an 8800/9800gt, i've upgraded to one of these from an 8800gt and it's much smoother in most games. A 3850 would probaby be a bit slow, with that cpu holding it back even futher. Hope this helps, enjoy your upgraded rig

 

[postmanfw]

Cpu would be the bottleneck and slow the 8800GT/new card down but it would still perform a lot better.

Had a opty 165 at 2.9Ghz and that was holding back the 8800GTS by quiet a bit but i didnt realise till i got the wolfy

What resolution would you be gaming at?