• Should I upgrade my CPU or GPU for games.
    9 replies, posted
Hey. Right now I'm running a build with an intel core 2 duo E7500 running at 3.6GHz, a GTX 260 core 216, and 4GB of ram. I know the general consensus is that it's better to upgrade the GPU when it comes to games but I feel like in games like Battlefield Bad Company 2 and Deus Ex I would be held back by my crappy dual core processor if I start with a GPU upgrade. So my question is should I first upgrade to an i5-2500K plus a new mobo and ram and get a GTX 560 Ti around Christmas? Or should I pick up a GTX 560 Ti now and then keep the remaining money plus money from Christmas to upgrade the CPU? Any advice would be appreciated. I'm also not completely sure about getting the 560 ti. I've heard the HD 6950 is a better alternative but my experiences with ATi drivers with my HD 4870 and my HD 5850 in the past weren't good ones so I'm leaning towards Nvidia as I haven't had any complaints when it comes to their support and their drivers. [editline]9th October 2011[/editline] I would like to add that one game I'm going to be playing the most will be Battlefield 3.
GPU, get the 560 Ti now definitely, the 6950 is a good alternative but it's really down to preference and price really, Nvidia do tend to be a little bit of a safer buy (and ignore anyone that says otherwise) due to better game support off the bat (before optimization and patches) but both AMD and Nvidia have their pros and cons and they're fairly equal for the most part, preference and price.
Well the 560ti would most likely give you a bigger preformance boost then upgrading to an 2500k, but there will also most likely be a lot of new gpu's released up until christmas.
[QUOTE=naos;32698273]Well the 560ti would most likely give you a bigger preformance boost then upgrading to an 2500k, but there will also most likely be a lot of new gpu's released up until christmas.[/QUOTE] I was thinking that but according to various websites Nvidia kepler and AMD southern islands will go into production in December, so it won't hit markets until Q1 2012. And apparently Intel ivy bridge will be Q1 2012 as well. I would think they would want to have them out for the Xmas season but apparently that isn't the case.
[QUOTE=garrynohome;32698303]I was thinking that but according to various websites Nvidia kepler and AMD southern islands will go into production in December, so it won't hit markets until Q1 2012.[/QUOTE] Either way there won't be any new cards until very very late 2011 or early 2012 so unless you don't mind playing on lower settings until then get a card now, it isn't as if the new cards will completely blow away the old ones anyway.
[QUOTE=David Tennant;32698332]Either way there won't be any new cards until very very late 2011 or early 2012 so unless you don't mind playing on lower settings until then get a card now, it isn't as if the new cards will completely blow away the old ones anyway.[/QUOTE] I'll take your word for it. Thanks for the help.
They're both pretty much on the same level, a new video card would probably be the biggest performance boost on 90% of games, but there's some exceptions where your CPU might severely bottleneck. You're going to need to get a new CPU quite soon.
[QUOTE=Shadaez;32698831]They're both pretty much on the same level, a new video card would probably be the biggest performance boost on 90% of games, but there's some exceptions where your CPU might severely bottleneck. You're going to need to get a new CPU quite soon.[/QUOTE] Oh I know that, just wasn't sure what would be a better first investment. I'm thinking BF3 is pretty GPU bound so I'll start off with the GTX 560 Ti and then switch to sandy bridge around Xmas.Even better, maybe Intel will have ivy bridge out by January(probably not).
Just wanted to add that I have a C2D E6850 overclocked to 3.6GHZ and there are a few games which makes the CPU the limiting factor in performance. This is very noticeable in games such as GTA:IV and Assassins Creed Brotherhood. Battlefield 3, although in its Alpha and Beta stages, was also strongly limited by the CPU to nearly unplayable but consistent framerates regardless of graphic and screen resolution settings on my end and can serve as an indicator. With today's modern releases you're only reaching the minimum requirements needed with your processor. I'd recommend to upgrade both components at the same time whenever you like if possible, or at least with a minimal amount of time between them.
[QUOTE=GreenDolphin;32757712]Just wanted to add that I have a C2D E6850 overclocked to 3.6GHZ and there are a few games which makes the CPU the limiting factor in performance. This is very noticeable in games such as GTA:IV and Assassins Creed Brotherhood. Battlefield 3, although in its Alpha and Beta stages, was also strongly limited by the CPU to nearly unplayable but consistent framerates regardless of graphic and screen resolution settings on my end and can serve as an indicator. With today's modern releases you're only reaching the minimum requirements needed with your processor. I'd recommend to upgrade both components at the same time whenever you like if possible, or at least with a minimal amount of time between them.[/QUOTE] If Nvidia and Intel set out more specific dates for Kepler and Ivy bridge then I may consider waiting until Q1 2012 to upgrade at the same time.
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