CPU/GPU Bottleneck?

akira666 · 30 May 2009 at 14:06

Gents,

I'm thinking about upgrading my PC just for gaming, but want to keep the costs to a minimum as I already have a PS3 & HD TV etc.

Currently, i'm running:

AMD Opteron 146 (2ghz)
Epox 9NPJ+ Mobo
3gigs of RAM
ATI Radeon X800

Although HL2 / Left 4 Dead run fine, i'm thinking about just upgrading the GPU for the more recent games - but i'm aware of potential major bottlenecks in my ssetup.

So, for instance, if I got the "Zotac GeForce 9800 GT Eco 512MB GDDR3" - what are your thoughts on the bottleneck?

siumatfung · 30 May 2009 at 14:42

new build

dont matter if you upgrade the gfx it will then mean the cpu is bottlenecking

try this spec

akira666 · 30 May 2009 at 17:44

Thanks for the list - I was hoping to avoid building a whole new PC route! As it is literally just for gaming *rubs chin*

johnerz · 30 May 2009 at 22:37

Sadly gaming needs to notch components
but it also depends on what resolution you game at, if its 800 X 600 then what you have will be ok ish
Overclock the cpu and that will help lots

siumatfung · 30 May 2009 at 22:43

you could buy a 3850 AGP card iguess but some games are CPU dependant ie CSS

mame · 30 May 2009 at 22:50

Is that motherboard AGP or PCI-E ? Had a quick search but got strange results. If it's PCI-E then get a second hand 8800 GT for £40. Yes the rest of the system will hold it back but it will be a very good upgrade for the money. As people as already said, the only way you will get a good gaming PC is buy doing a full upgrade.

akira666 · 1 Jun 2009 at 21:11

The Mobo is PCI-E - but i'm guessing we have established that I should really sort out a new PC altogether

Ah well! Thanks for the advice anyway.

daniel_bourton · 1 Jun 2009 at 22:16

yh but if you aint that worried about high res's and you want one on the cheap then a second hand 880gt or something similar shall do just fine for now till you have enough for something bigger and more badass