how capable is this cpu?

[chris-82]

My friend has this cpu currently in his pc: http://valid.canardpc.com/2667158 and running it stock with ddr2 ram and a 9800gtx its starting to struggle with fps now in games and was wondering what he should upgrade first graphics or cpu,motherboard and ram?

if he where to upgrade the gpu to say a 7850 or 7950 would he see much if any bottlenecking because of the cpu?

just curious and what appreciate the input and knowledge u guys have so i can steer him in the right direction.

 

[chris-82]

What's the CPU clocked at?
Basically, no matter what you upgrade you'll be bottlenecked by either the CPU or the 9800GTX.
Needs to be at least an incremental upgrade to both.

Unless of course the CPU is decently clocked.

as said in op its running stock.
yeah i understand either way its going to bottle neck somewhere and he will be upgrading the rig but he is not sure where to start hence this thread.

i think graphics card first as he will actually see some in game improvement or is the cpu that bad that a i5 2500k would also make in game improvements? he doesnt have much money so wants to make the biggest difference for playing games he can with the first wave of upgrading.

i suppose the real question is how bad would this cpu bottle neck any new cards such as 7850 or 7950? would ocing the cpu make much difference any guides on this cpu for ocing or guidance?

 

[chris-82]

Ideally GPU upgrade and overclocking the CPU would be the best bet.
HOWEVER!!!

We're currently in a situation where we're at months away from a new CPU launch in Haswell and a new GPU launch with the 8XXX and 7XX.

Which likely means regardless of what he does, the part he upgrades first will have a better price/performance (Or should do) part at the time he finishes the upgrade, which since he won't see the benefits of his prior upgrade might be annoying.

That said, the 3570k isn't going to lose performance over that time, and will likely be able to push a next generation GPU perfectly adequately and likely last better gaming at higher frames than a single 7970 would (Unless of course engines suddenly triple in CPU intensity)

So, either stick with the rig as is till Haswell and 8XXX launch, or upgrade the CPU and stick with the 9800GTX, however that upgrade won't game better than an overclocked Q8200 and new GPU.

Thankyou for a brilliant reply I will show him this I think he is better off waiting depending on prices!
Yeah my only issue is with that is he is gonna have to wait a further 8-12 months for them to come down to a reasonable price then your in the same boat again waiting for new tech tbh as he doesn't want to spend too much