Do I need a new graphics card?

[gamerx11]

If I am hitting 100% CPU usage running games on my computer with a e8400 oc'd @4ghz and a 9800 gtx+, where is the bottleneck?

 

[mrorange43]

Well if you're hitting 100% CPU usage, that would indicate a problem with the CPU

I would look to upgrading the CPU, and upgrade the graphics card depending on what you do and what resolution you're at.

 

[JacobC1983]

What resolution do you play at?

 

[gamerx11]

i play at 1440x900

 

[vjcsmoke]

i play at 1440x900

I doubt you'd see much improvement with a new video card then. 1440x900 isn't all that demanding. I'd say a 5770 would max out that resolution.

Here's a straight up comparison benchmarks of those two gpus. Keep in mind that the 5770 is also a willing overclocker and has been known to hit 950mhz or higher fairly easily.
http://www.hwcompare.com/graphics/compare.php?c=GeForce-9800-GTX--vs-Radeon-HD-5770

 

[gamerx11]

wow, thank you for that benchmark comparison. i was looking for something like that. seems like the best improvement for my money's worth would be to get a better cpu.

 

[cannondale06]

wow, thank you for that benchmark comparison. i was looking for something like that. seems like the best improvement for my money's worth would be to get a better cpu.

a better cpu isnt going to do much while you have a 9800gtx. in most games there would likely be no fps improvement at all over your E8500 at 4.0. now if you had a faster gpu then yeah a faster cpu would help but as it is now you are about as balanced as possible for 1440x900.

 

[AltTabbins]

Spend the money on a new monitor. Even 1680x1050 would flex that 9800gtx a bit.