Do I really need to upgrade cpu?

GinG · 1 Dec 2009 at 11:37

Well currently have my trusty 3/4 year old e6300 65nm running at 2.8ghz.

I need a new motherboard anyway due to dodgey DIMM sockets only allowing me to run memory in single channel.

I was thinking of getting a new cpu also, however I think with a new motherboard I could push the chip back up to 3.2ghz where it used to run fine before the board started to play up.

Currently running a 4850 which is still strugggling at TF2 however I know with a stronger cpu it would run better.

Would I be better upgrading gfx for future games rather than cpu?

SMAndy · 1 Dec 2009 at 12:08

4850 isn't too bad, should be running TF2 absolutely fine. If I were you, I'd get a new cpu, as 65nm is old now.

Some games are still heavily CPU limited, all Source games are, and that includes TF2. You'll also find that an old chip may well be limiting your graphics card, so I'd suggest getting a new cpu and board. If you have decent DDR2 with that, you could get a DDR2 board with a quad core or something, and reuse the RAM.

if you can afford it, a whole new system would be good. Something like an i5, or an AMD Phenom II 955. Either will give you nice framerates.

Game · 1 Dec 2009 at 12:40

agree on the 4850 my old 3850 runs tf2 with ease

Phage · 1 Dec 2009 at 12:55

SMAndy said:
4850 isn't too bad, should be running TF2 absolutely fine. If I were you, I'd get a new cpu, as 65nm is old now.

Some games are still heavily CPU limited, all Source games are, and that includes TF2. You'll also find that an old chip may well be limiting your graphics card, so I'd suggest getting a new cpu and board. If you have decent DDR2 with that, you could get a DDR2 board with a quad core or something, and reuse the RAM.

if you can afford it, a whole new system would be good. Something like an i5, or an AMD Phenom II 955. Either will give you nice framerates.

^^This.
Christmas is coming !

MCH · 1 Dec 2009 at 12:57

TF2 is very CPU weighted , its not ur 4850 thats struggling , i think you should be looking at a phenom II quad if u can afford it , should be able to get one in for 400-450 depending on what u need

SfnX · 1 Dec 2009 at 13:02

tbh any dual core can handle tf2, i should know im competitive

make sure you enable multicore rendering, overclock the cpu and u should be fine. the 4850 is absolutely fine for tf2 and other HL2 games.

MCH · 1 Dec 2009 at 13:04

SfnX said:
tbh any dual core can handle tf2, i should know im competitive
make sure you enable multicore rendering, overclock the cpu and u should be fine. the 4850 is absolutely fine for tf2 and other HL2 games.

well i very much doubt he is running a config of any sort and probably running at higher settings so no his stock cpu is not enough like he is saying.

GinG · 1 Dec 2009 at 13:26

MCH said:
well i very much doubt he is running a config of any sort and probably running at higher settings so no his stock cpu is not enough like he is saying.

I have enabled the multicore rendering but still getting slow downs when in open spaces / dustbowl.

CPU is clocked at 2.8ghz at the moment.

Would i see a good increase in speed going to a 3.0ghz wolfdale?

£200ish to upgrade.

MCH · 1 Dec 2009 at 13:46

GinG said:
I have enabled the multicore rendering but still getting slow downs when in open spaces / dustbowl.

CPU is clocked at 2.8ghz at the moment.

Would i see a good increase in speed going to a 3.0ghz wolfdale?

£200ish to upgrade.

if im honest u should be able to clock ur cpu to above 3.0ghrz so upgrading to any dualcore unless its an 8400 or top of the range amd you wont see any real difference, however i still wouldnt upgrade to a dualcore of any kind because its a waste of money , you are best off persevering, saving and getting a phenom II quad with an AM3 mobo and 4gig of ram (assume u have 2gb) with cooler for about 300-400 quid , you can then set yourself up nicely for an upgrade of graphics card in the future.

clown_abhi · 1 Dec 2009 at 23:25

U can try overclocking the e6300 to ~3GHz. It is no way a poor CPU.
Add to it, the card is a 4850.

I remember there was a time when i used to play all games at full settings with this card and a measly AMD 5200+

TF2 should run fine with this combo. And dual channel RAM won't give you much benefit over single channel (~5%). If you have 4 GB RAM, it should suffice for nearly everything.

So, keep the upgrade on hold, overclock a bit, and keep playing till Fermi arrives

GinG · 2 Dec 2009 at 08:24

Cheers guys, well need to buy a new motherboard anyway, I used to get 3.2ghz out of the chip, however since running in single channel it won't allow more than 2.8ghz.

Will store the cash away then till I really struggle with games then!!

Duke · 2 Dec 2009 at 08:43

GinG said:
I have enabled the multicore rendering but still getting slow downs when in open spaces / dustbowl.

CPU is clocked at 2.8ghz at the moment.

Would i see a good increase in speed going to a 3.0ghz wolfdale?

£200ish to upgrade.

It is similar tech so not worth it imo (unless you go second hand) - I would spend an extra £100 and buy i5 / ddr3 / board.

Vir · 2 Dec 2009 at 09:10

If I were you I'd get a second hand P35/P45... The E6300 isn't that bad at all if you overclock it to 3.0 - 3.2Ghz... Save the money till you are really struggling.

Antoher OK motherboard + overclock + a fresh install of everything should give you a decent frame rate.

On the other hand... it's almost christmas and a new shiny i5/i7 is nice

muahah

Souness · 2 Dec 2009 at 12:02

Got almost the exact same specs as you, E6300 @ 2.8Ghz and 4870. If you're content with running TF2 at like 80% of the max settings then it's still fine. To me that doesn't really justify an upgrade, especially since I can run new games like Dragon Age at max with no slowdown at all. Dirt 2 is the one game I do wish I had some shiny new parts for but it's just one game atm!