Bottleneck, can it really be that nasty?

[paperless]

Hello everyone.

Before saying anything else here is my current system:

AMD 64 3500+ S939

ABIT FATAL1TY AN8

Team Elite 2GB DDR400

nvidia Geforce 6800GT 256MB

It really is outdated but i'm wondering if buying an HD4850 would be worth it or if it's performance would really suffer since the rest of the computer couldn't probably keep up with it.

The thing is: There are a lot of games out now that i would love to play decently at 1680x1050 and it's getting harder and harder to play with a 6800GT.

I tried to play GTA4 yesterday and i had about 5 FPS at 800x600 with everything on low which was really disapointing (i'm aware GTA4 has major optimization issues so i'm not sure if the poor performance is all to blame on my computer).

On Left 4 Dead i manage to have 35-40 avg. FPS with these settings: http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4201/l4d1settsav3.png

Here's the question: Do you think i should buy the HD4850 now and then later upgrade to something like:

Intel C2D E8400

Asus P5Q

TEAM ELITE KIT 4GB DDR2 800

Or should i wait and buy the CPU, Motherboard, RAM and GPU all together?

Thanks for your help.

 

[gotmaxpower]

I personally think you should wait and upgrade the motherboard, processor, memory, and then the graphics card. Evidently, you can play most games to a sufficient standard with the card you have now. Perhaps you could invest in a new case, and add bits to it as you go on.

Be warned, once you start, you can never stop.

 

[Rastalovich]

If u can, go for the whole replacement in one go.

 

[rrjwilson]

If you want some theatre with this story read my build thread but here the skinny of it.

I had a AMD64X2 4400+ S939 with X800XTPE AGP (the real version not the underclocked wannabe one later made). I said my system can't cope with CSS and I'm getting under 100fps on server what do i do. Before I knew it I had a spanking new 8800GTX. My fps went up by 3. It was nothing to do with the GPU that was fine. The CPU was so ridiculously slow compared to Intel's offerings. Quick mobo change and E6600 and the FPS soared by 120fps (yes 220 total).

Moral of the story? If you play games ditch AMD they aint worth the cost cut. Sorry.

Incidentally my AMD stuff runs media centres, PVRs, servers and security cams so they do come in handy.

 

[Ghosthud1]

Yeah just go for the job lot mate, might be able to get a good deal in a bundle , and also something might come out in the mean time, last of all im guessing you are not made of money its just not worth making a mistake

 

[tonpal]

The ideal situation would be to get everything together, however from what I am reading you do not have the cash to do it in one hit which gives you a couple of options:

1. Live with what you have until you have the cash to fully upgrade everything (don't forget to check if your PSU is up to the job too).

2. Update your graphics card now and do the rest later.

I went for option 2 myself. I had a 3.2 GHz P4 with a Radeon X800. I upgraded the X800 to a HD3870. This did not do much for the fps on Vanguard and EQII but I was able to increase the graphics settings from "low"/"balanced" to "high". As the fps was 20 to 30 ish and playable for a MMRPG it meant I got a early benefit in terms of the quality of the display.

If you do choose this route you will want to check that your PSU can support the new HD4850.

 

[rrjwilson]

He doesnt need to do a one hit wonder he needs to ditch that AMD

 

[tonpal]

He doesnt need to do a one hit wonder he needs to ditch that AMD

I have a P4, which is made by intel, and that is crap to. Core 2 was a very well designed CPU and consequently gave Intel a good performance lead over AMD. With Phenom II coming out that gap may be narrowed, particularly for gaming. It is not entirely fair to make the sweeping statement that all AMD cpus are not any good.

Also for paperless to replace the AMD cpu he would need to replace his motherboard, and possibly the memory.