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Upgrade CPU or GPU first?

Haiku214

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Oct 9, 2010
Messages
1,025
My brother has a PC with these specs:

Core2duo E6600
ATI 4850
4GB Ram

This computer is having a very very hard time running Witcher 2. Testing at different resolutions and turning down all the video settings still yields 15 fps average. So to improve performance, should he upgrade CPU or GPU first? I know that upgrading both is the best way but he is currently on a tight budget. Thanks.
 
What's the resolution your brother is playing at?
What brand/model is the PSU? How old is it?
How much, at most, are you able to spend on upgrades?
 
I would say CPU. I run 1600X1200 and my 4850 doesn't struggle like what your describing.
 
What's the resolution your brother is playing at?
What brand/model is the PSU? How old is it?
How much, at most, are you able to spend on upgrades?

His monitor native resolution is at 1920x1200. I tried to lower it down to 1280x1024 and still get really low FPS. His PSU is an Enermax 460 watts and 4 years old. I know these coz this was my PC before I gave it to him 3 years ago.

A $400 upgrade should be fine. This much money can either get a new CPU/Mobo/Ram or a single GPU.
 
Can he OC that E6600? Oh and you're looking at a new PSU as well since that Enermax is rather old and may not be suitable for the majority of worthwhile GPU upgrades over that HD 4850.

If he can OC that E6600 to around 3.3Ghz, you should be fine with a GPU upgrade + PSU upgrade in the short term.
 
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