Spec me a CPU

[Gas Panic!]

Hi guys,

Currently running an E6600 @ 3.2Ghz and I'm looking at buying one of the new ATi cards once they're out. Now, I assume that my E6600 is going to bottleneck the GPU somewhat, but to what degree?

I'm currently running an 8800GTS 512, and my performance in TF2 is a little sub-par. At 1680x1050 with everything med/low, I'm getting around 40-50fps with drops down to 20. Having a look at the CPU chart on my keyboard, it's showing that one core is at 100% while playing.

Now I assume that my fps is being limited by the CPU and not the GPU, so I wanted to know what CPU I should buy in order to get the best performance out of the newer ATi card once it's out? I can't be bothered with overclocking at this point (I only use my PC for games, and I'd rather just drop the new CPU in and get on with it!).

I have a 965P-DS3P motherboard and 2GB RAM.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

 

[Gas Panic!]

Cheers for the answers guys!

I'm currently running Windows 7 RC2... so perhaps that has something to do with it. I might install XP on a secondary drive and give that a go. I'm really not sure why my FPS is as low as it is - I mean, TF2 isn't the most demanding of games.

This current build has (so far) lasted me for 2 years, so if I'm to be spending money I'd want to make sure it's got a long life in it - which I guess would mean new mobo + RAM in addition to the new GPU and CPU.

I'll see what XP gives me before I upgrade. Failing that, pay day is next week so we'll see.

Cheers

 

[Gas Panic!]

D'oh! I was away in Canada for 9months and I've just noticed that my overclock had reset itself, so my CPU was running at 2.13GHz and not the 3.2GHz that it was before I left.

That'll probably be the reason, then.

As for the RAM, I think I'll leave that for when I do a full upgrade later this year.

I'll see what results I get now. I feel like such a 'tard.

 

[Gas Panic!]

Yep, all fixed now - everything is on high/max and I'm getting 100+fps, with drops down to 50/60 when it's frantic.

<------ Idiot.

 

[Gas Panic!]

That's exactly right - my O/C is 8 x 400MHz.