Understanding CPU/GPU Scaling...

[Cannibal Corpse]

Hi All,
I read Anand's article on DOOM3 and CPU/GPU, and it made me wonder this:


CPU limited
When I have a slow CPU but a fast GPU.


GPU limited
When I have a fast CPU but a slow GPU.

My personal BIG question:
I have a P4 2.4b (slow CPU) and GeForce 6800 GT OC (fast GPU), so I need to get a fast CPU to keep up with my fast GPU, right?

If I had a P4 3.4EE and GeForce Ti4200, then I should get a GeForce 6800 Ultra OC to keep up with my fast CPU, am I correct?

p.s. on a side note, I am VERY tempted to buy an Athlon 64 FX-53 CPU (my very fist AMD CPU if I do so), but the price is very prohibitive. What would be the next comparable CPU at much, lower price?

Your insights, comments and posts are greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Schadenfroh]

low resolutions = CPU limited
high resolutions = GPU limited

 

[Cannibal Corpse]

Sorry I still don't get it:

 

[xSyzygy666x]

cpu limited = your gpu is faster than your cpu so your gpu sits around for tour cpu to get done.....its like getting stuck behind an old person.....you can go alot faster but you have to wait on THEM

gpu limited = graphics card cant keep up with cpu......this is more like a mom waiting for her child to catch up......she keeps walking faster but eventually has to let the child catch up again...

hope that helped...

also i suggest a s939 3500+...... alot cheaper while still being extremely powerful

 

[Cannibal Corpse]

I don't know why in Anand's chart, the s939 3500+ priced at $900+, but pricewatch reports $350

 

[xSyzygy666x]

because prices change...and FAST....or there wrong....... http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-463&depa=1 ....anyway theres a link where its NOT 900$

 

[Cannibal Corpse]

Thanks, sitll pricey for me!

 

[Cannibal Corpse]

So, what CPU should I get to replace my current P4 2.4b then?

 

[Schadenfroh]

Motherboard
CPU

 

[Cannibal Corpse]

Thanks for the CPU and MoBo links, but according to the links below (Anand's extensive chart), even after spending $300 on mentioned CPU and MoBo, it is still WAY to low:

http://members.lycos.co.uk/cannibalistic/CPU_Chart01.png

http://members.lycos.co.uk/cannibalistic/CPU_Chart02.png

Also, by looking at the chart above, I don't know why I get only 30~40 FPS with my P4 2.4b and 6800 GT and 1GB of PC2700 RAM.

 

[Yonkec]

the a64 3200+ is definately not a bad choice, and its nowhere near too low performance for the price, should give you atleast 90fps according to their chart, you sure you werent looking at the athlon XP 3200+?