CPU to GPU cost Ratio - What should it be?

[MacAllah]

So, I'm in the market for a new computer, but I'm on a pretty strict budget. I want the entire thing to come in under $900 (including monitor) and I've allotted around $400 for CPU and GPU. I have another "productivity" machine, so this would be PURELY for gaming. Most of that gaming will be World of Warcraft. Thus, my question:

How much more should I spend on the GPU over CPU? Or should they be equal?

CPU = GPU --- For example, if I get the Core i5 750 ($200) then I'd be looking at the HD 4890 ($200).

CPU < GPU --- If I get a Phenom II X4 940 ($160) then I could get the HD 4850 x2 ($230).

CPU << GPU -- I mean, it's even possible for me to go into $100 CPU-range (Athlon X4 620 or Phenom X2 555) and get an HD 5850 ($300).

I want there to be NO bottleneck. I don't want a CPU that is wasting power because the GPU can't process graphics. And I don't want a GPU that is being CPU-limited. Suggestions?

 

[Freak]

I dont think, that for a gaming machine, you need a quad core. I would go with a fast 2 core like the e8400 - ort to be getting cheap now???

The reason is that not many games will use 4 cores corrrectly. You will benefit more from a faster clock than more cores.

 

[MacAllah]

The E8400 is not a good deal, though. The price is still $170ish and thats on a 775 board. I'm thinking LGA 1056 or AM3.

I know most games don't use 4 cores, but I'm wondering what the difference really is speed-wise.

 

[VonBlade]

As far as CPU vs Graphics goes, it's a true balancing act.

My 4400X2 with a 7800GTX struggled hugely until I brought a 4850. Then it flew. But pairing my 4850 with an overclocked X4 620 made a massive difference.

Soooo.

 

[Rastalovich]

Opinion ?

Dump all ur cash into the gfxcard of ur choice, what's left over can be spent on the cpu.

Bottlenecks are grossely over-exagerated, mostly used as a sound bite. Unless ur planning on clocking ur cpu in excess of 4ghz, u'll have no appreciation of any difference on a modern mobo, amd or intel.

An i7 920 w/4850 is going to be laughed at by a E5200 w/5870.

Gaming ? Go dual core. Work related - quad IF ur software will use it.

Also, if ur dumping serious cash into a new pc, I know the prices are hyped, but not getting a 5xxx series and getting a 4xxxx, even an x2, could have u chomping for a Dx11 gpu next year.

 

[tinytomlogan]

Rasta is right here <sig quote that!

The 5000 cards are the toy every pc freak wants this christmas, that coupled with short supply and the exchange rate means the price is high atm.

Never the less if your gaming then the biggest proportion of your budget should be spent on the GPU. DX 11 games will be coming thick and fast in 2010 so Id deffo suggest purchacing a card that supports it.

 

[Rastalovich]

Jeez, I'd neither say every1 wants them - especially at this moment in time, nor that the games will come think'n fast.

Advise the guy, but don't go over the top. <- that u can sig quote.

 

[Ghosthud1]

imho a system what will mostly use WoW? id go for a lower card and a chunky cpu...

WoW really doesnt need GFlops of power like we all know..so if you get a nice big juicy quad core it should increase your normal day to day browsing and anything software related speeds, i played WoW awhile back on a amd x2 5600+ and a 4850 all maxed so i wouldnt be worried about a gcard

 

[Rastalovich]

What u reckon, 5850, any AM3 and more importantly make sure he's got 4g ram ?

I'd feel much better if the 5850 was closer $250 than $300. NewEgg have 1 for $299.99

 

[tonpal]

The 5850s are still way over priced if you can find one. At the moment 5770s offer better value. Their performance is a shade behind a 4890 and way behind a 5850 but you can pick one up in the UK for around £120. I would expect that would put them well under $200 in the US.

The other nice thing about the 5770 is they scale well in crossfire.

For a gaming machine I would agree with Rasta that a AM3 CPU is a good option. I would try to pick up a tri or quad though. There are more and more games that scale well across cores these days.

 

[siravarice]

definitely go for the AM3 platform. They are simply cheaper and some easily outperform their intel counterpart. As for GPU, they new ATI cards 5*** series are probably the way to go right now.