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Upgrade GPU or CPU?

K

Kerepla

n00b
Joined
Nov 9, 2004
Messages
6
Hello,

I have an important question to all forum posters >>> ,
I play counter-strike source and the frame rate is in the 40' fps @ 1024x768 but usually dips below playable ...
Should i upgrade my Video Card or CPU??? First???

System Set-Up:
2200+ AMD Athlon (1.8 GHz)
768 mb corsair ram @ 3200
Ati Radeon 9600

SO WHICH ONE SHOULD I UPGRADE FIRST??? GPU or CPU??? :confused:
 
I'd recommend the GPU also. You will see a nice boost right away. Then the processor.
 
Have to agree with the other guys, first upgrade GPU then cpu, keep in mind though the game is very cpu dominant. I was getting about 60-65 fps with my 6800GT with older drivers with an athlonxp 3000 in 1280x1024, now Im getting 125 in the same resolution, also note its an entirely new pc, not just cpu, specs in my sig. Goodluck buddy and may you enjoy the CS:S I have been, cuz its a different world with a new pc :).
 
Go with the GPU! Granted this upgrade did help but my videocard is holding me back :p
 
GPU.

I have an Athlon XP 2500. I upgraded my video card from a 9600 Pro to a 9800 Pro recently. At 1280x960 I saw a 20fps bump in the video stress test.
 
What about this sisuation:

AMD 2400+ and GeForce Ti4600

What would be better, going to an Intel 3.2 (3.4?) or going for a GeForce 6800 ?

Mostly just play NWN (neverwinter nights).
 
budec said:
What about this sisuation:

AMD 2400+ and GeForce Ti4600

What would be better, going to an Intel 3.2 (3.4?) or going for a GeForce 6800 ?

Mostly just play NWN (neverwinter nights).
Click to expand...

6800 if you have a good powersupply
 
look in to a A64 3000+ 754 there dirt cheap right now and 6800nu
 
OGL. Runs great for me at 1600x1200 8xS 16xAF. Typically stays over 60FPS which is more than enough for a slow-paced RPG.
 
Ok im going against the mainstream this time, I vote upgrade the CPU first. Whats the point upgrading from a 9600 to a 9800 pro..to get 20 frames in a stress test? Benchmarks do not play the games and your 9600 will continue to play them at a moderate level for some time. Why not take the time and invest in a good socket 939 chip, at least then you will feel satisfied upgrading, and will notice a real performance gain. Then some time in the future .. perhaps early next year when ati and nvidia start slashing prices you can pick up a new video card to even out your rig.

But hell do whatever its your money, buy a video card.
 
Upgrading the GPU may sound like the way to go, but you need to consider your mobo first. Whats the AGP strength it will support? If it will handle only handle 4X, then upgrading your mobo should be your primary concern.
 
If you're running 1024x768 then GPU is the way to go...but if you want 1600x1200 that's CPU and GPU territory....but either way, GPU first....if you don't get the results in fps you want, CPU upgrade.
 
MattParrish said:
Upgrading the GPU may sound like the way to go, but you need to consider your mobo first. Whats the AGP strength it will support? If it will handle only handle 4X, then upgrading your mobo should be your primary concern.
Click to expand...

Since when has using AGP 8x over AGP 4x yielded any benefits?

It's up to you kid. If you only want to drop $200 or less then I say get a new GPU. There will always be people in these forums screaming "BUY A WHOLE NEW PC!"
 
CPU! are you people crazy?! If he upgrades his video card his CPU is REALLY going to hold it back to the point were he wont' notice as much.

Take a look at the Hardocp review showing videocards in comparison with CPUs in the review section and you'll see
 
Netrat33 said:
CPU! are you people crazy?! If he upgrades his video card his CPU is REALLY going to hold it back to the point were he wont' notice as much.
Click to expand...
I totally agree. By the look of that frame-rate and resolution he's CPU limited. If you buy a better video card you'll still be looking at the same frame-rates most probably. However, I don't think you'll be getting much more than 60fps out of that 9600 at that resolution even with an uber-CPU. Really you need to upgrade both but the CPU first to see any benefit.

Before you decide though, try running in 800x600 or less - if your frame-rates are higher then it shows you're limited by the video card and not the CPU. In that case buy the new video card first. If the frame-rates are the same though, it proves you're CPU-limited and you need to upgrade that first.
 
rdytorave said:
Since when has using AGP 8x over AGP 4x yielded any benefits?
Click to expand...

AGP speed can be a indicator of bus speed...... No use getting a ferrari if the speed limit is 55mph.
 
I say GPU, then save up money to upgrade the CPU. But it also depends on what GPU. If you are going to get like a 9800pro, then I say get a cpu/mb upgrade. But if you are looking to get a x800pro or 6800GT, then I say get the videocard now, then save up for a cpu/mb later, like when pci x boards are more avalible, or Nforce 4 boards come out....
 
Maybe hold out and save up to get both? Either get with the new wave and pick up a PCI-E 939 board with SLI and maybe a 6600GT, or go the exact opposite and find some nice deals on a 754 and a 6800GT once the nf4 939 boards come out. Or maybe just wait to see what kind of Black Friday deals there are, and if you see a really nice deal for either, go for it.
 
I have overclocked the cpu to almost 2.0 Ghz using 150 FSB but when i ran the CS Source stress test the fps did not increase...
I am using Soyo Dragon Plat KT400 chipset...

So thank you all for the great advice and it seems that i will be upgrading to a 6600 GT naches...

Holla www.karolio.cjb.net
 
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