What kind of spec do I need if...

Phal · 31 Dec 2010 at 20:13

I don't want to bottleneck 2 x 260 GTX in SLI and have some room for upgrades later?

Currently I've got a Core 2 Q6600 with 4gb of DDR2 but this seems to limit me in Medal of Honor/BFBC2 and no doubt it won't help me in other games that I haven't noticed yet lol.

So what do you reckon? What do I need? Feel free to suggest an appropriate OCed bundle

I looked at this but wondered how suitable it would be: http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-023-OB&groupid=43&catid=339&subcat=

Si105 · 31 Dec 2010 at 20:49

For GTX 260 SLi, I think overclocking your Q6600 to 3.6GHz should be sufficient.

Anyway if I was you, i'd wait for the new intel chips on Jan 9th

Phal · 31 Dec 2010 at 20:54

I've seen a few posts saying that even overclocked Q6600 wouldn't be enough for CPU heavy games :/ I'm already overclocked slightly using the built in easy overclock crap. Overclocking by 20% seems to provide slightly unreliable results since it locks up occasionally :/ 15% seems to work ok but only gets me 2.75Ghz per core.

WingZero30 · 31 Dec 2010 at 20:57

Phal said:
I've seen a few posts saying that even overclocked Q6600 wouldn't be enough for CPU heavy games :/ I'm already overclocked slightly using the built in easy overclock crap. Overclocking by 20% seems to provide slightly unreliable results since it locks up occasionally :/ 15% seems to work ok but only gets me 2.75Ghz per core.

2.75GHz isn't enough. Overclock Q6600 to atleast 3GHz.

Phal · 31 Dec 2010 at 21:05

Well I'll have a play around and see what happens lol

Phal · 31 Dec 2010 at 21:33

I still wanna upgrade though so bring those suggestions along lol

Think this setup has been my longest running one ever :|

DarkMatter · 1 Jan 2011 at 01:23

Interesting, i find it hard to justify to myself upgrading from my Q6600 3ghz to an i5 or i7. I normally only find it worthwhile to jump a generation so i am waiting for sandy bridge for a good performance/feature jump from my q6600. What resolution do you play at? I dont often find me reaching CPU bottlenecks....

Randomface74 · 1 Jan 2011 at 01:36

I wouldn't upgrade from the Q6600 yet - keep it running as long as you can, get your money's worth.

I wouldn't have thought the OP would have any issues with that spec - perhaps there's something else going on here.

Phal · 1 Jan 2011 at 03:18

Well I've had this cpu/mobo/ram for 2 years and whilst it has done alright considering I have gotten the urge to upgrade recently since I started to get more money again

According to http://www.cpubenchmark.net/common_cpus.html the performance difference between my Q6600 and something like an I5 750 is quite considerable!

I'm not against waiting for the new technology to come out if its just around the corner though so I can wait a little bit

As for the res and reason why I think a CPU upgrade is necessary - The main example is MoH multiplayer. The SLI visual indicator barely shows more than 1/3 if the gfx settings are low/medium. Its only when I crank the settings to high when I start to see SLI usage to get near full. From what I've read people with meatier CPUs get more usage/scaling where as even people with Q6600 chips clocked at 3.6Ghz don't get much boost in performance :/

Guess ultimately I just want a suggest of some decent parts to through together since I haven't really kept up to date with any of the latest hardware for a good few years

This kit was kinda chosen for me since I could get it cheap lol

M1k3H · 1 Jan 2011 at 05:13

Phal said:
As for the res and reason why I think a CPU upgrade is necessary - The main example is MoH multiplayer. The SLI visual indicator barely shows more than 1/3 if the gfx settings are low/medium. Its only when I crank the settings to high when I start to see SLI usage to get near full.

Yes but while doing that, do you see an increase in frame rates? Or do they remain static. If they are static then it means from low->high your cpu is bottlenecking you. And anyways, I've got an i7 to 3.885ghz and i doubt is using much cause temps are at load at around 58-63 and while stressing they jump up to 85 (both with heater on).

As people said, since you are upgrading soon, and it is more "profitable" to be later (due to new launches and due to getting more performance for money given on current rig) try take your system to the edge.

Eventually, if temps are an issue, get a cooler both compatible with the socket you might upgrade and with current socket so you can clock your CPU as high as possible. Your cpu should be plentiful at least until Sandybridge launches and prices find their way down again.

Blue160 · 1 Jan 2011 at 11:03

On the other hand, if the money's burning a hole in your pocket why not go for it? I upgraded from a Q8400 @ 3.1 GHz to an i5 750 @ 4GGz over Christmas, and I'm enjoying a much snappier feeling computer. Frame rates seem smoother, if not higher in most games, and Empire TW, and GTAIV have had a major boost.