whats the bottleneck?

pjgtech

pjgtech

pjgtech

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I have two (home built) pcs at home, but both are a bit slow (and occasionall freeze) when playing latest games (Far Cry2, GTIV, GTR Evolution, GRID, etc).

So I wondered what the bottleneck in the systems would be? they are both pretty similar systems in terms of hardware and perrformance, see spec's below:

PC1 = Abit IP35 mb
Intel C2D E6550 cpu (arctic cooler pro 7 HSF)
2 x 1GB OCZ pc6400 DDR2 Memory
512Mb 8800gs PCIe gfx card
2 x 250Gb sata hd's
600w Arctic Cooling modular psu
Large gaming case, lots of fans
Windoze XP Home

PC2 = Abit AB9 pro mb
Intel C2D E6600 cpu (arctic cooler pro 7 HSF)
2 x 1Gb Crucial ballistix DDR2 pc8200 memory
384Mb 8800gt PCIe gfx card
1 x 250 Gb sata hd
1 x 120Gb IDE hd
550w Antec NeoHE modular psu
Large Antec case, lots of fans
Windoze XP Home

What does the panel think would be the bottlenecks for fast gfx intensive games? and what therefore would be the recommended upgrades? (more mem, faster gfx cards, etc?)

Thanx PG 8-)
 
gfx card for sure

your e6600 if OC @ 3.0ghz is more than enough

maybe after gfx, look into vista (w/ possibility of Win 7 update) and 4gb of RAM
 
Yeah, sorry, should have added that both cpu's are o'clocked to 3.0Ghz each (from 2.4Ghz) and seem stable in everything except these newer games.

I've checked temps and they do not seem to go too high, I reckon its the gfx cards that are struggling too.

So my next question is what is the best bang for buck PCIe gfx card to buy, to suit systems like mine?

Thanx
 
Well, I've got a nice Hitachi 19" monitor (old stylee) and a nice new LG 19" monitor (LCD) and I tend to play my games using 1200x1000 res, but I like as much detail as I can get.

Budget is not too much of a worry. but I try to avoid cutting edge tech for a bit before I buy it (eg: once its no longer cutting edge!) 8-)

I presume my PSU's are ok for 4870's or similar cards? (Jeantech 600w and Antec NeoHE550w, (both modular)
 
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pjgtech said:
Well, I've got a nice Hitachi 19" monitor (old stylee) and a nice new LG 19" monitor (LCD) and I tend to play my games using 1200x1000 res, but I like as much detail as I can get.

Budget is not too much of a worry. but I try to avoid cutting edge tech for a bit before I buy it (eg: once its no longer cutting edge!) 8-)

I presume my PSU's are ok for 4870's or similar cards? (Jeantech 600w and Antec NeoHE550w, (both modular)
Click to expand...

Both monitors have quite a small resolution so for that I'd go with a 4850, you should max out any game with it and is a fantastic card. I used to have one and used it at 1680*1050 with no problems. Both PSU's should be fine to use.
 
HD4870 1GB be nice!
yes, PSU's be ok aswel!

but it's low resolution and 4870 is Overkill!
(well actualy I used to have: GTX280 on 1440x900)
 
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I have now actually underclocked my ram after reading a good guide to clocking Core2Duo's in Micro Mart, (an issue from a couple of weeks ago) and my pc no longer locks up when playing the games I mentioned, so must have been a RAM prob (possibly getting too hot as I was pushing the timings a bit).

Happier now tho, as I can still play my fave games (for now) without having to shell out on new hardware.

Thanx for all the tips tho anyway... 8-)
 
defo graphics but RAM aint very expensive nowadays so mebbes some RAM aswell but 1200x1000 you could probs pick up a 8800GT 512 for dirt cheap if u have a good look runs crysis @ 1080x 768 no probs
 
Both specs are hardly years old and should run those games nicely.

How about fresh install of XP and ensure you've got all patches and maybe a cheap 4Gb ram upgrade as its dirt cheap at the min.

PC games are just badly coded and will always stutter a bit, you'd be better off making the best with what you've got rather than spending another £200 on a new graphics card ;)
 
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