For sometime I've been planning on building a new computer geared towards high-def widescreen gaming. For a number of reasons, this purchase has been pushed back to at least November. I'm starting to think about getting a new video card to tide me over, and I'm thinking about either the new 4850 or 4870. I have a 3800+ AMD processor and an Nvidia 7900 GT right now.
Will there be a significant benefit to me putting a 4850 in this system, or will CPU limitations hold it back too much to be worth it? All the reviews of video cards usually remove the bias of CPU limitation by using at least one core 2 duo extreme, which does not help me judge performance at the relatively outdated level of my CPU.
2GB (upgradeable), normal 7200rpm SATA hard drive, audigy4 sound card, yada yada. Should be DDR2-800. The primary impactor here would most likely be the CPU. Win XP Pro.
I have a 3800+ AMD processor and an Nvidia 7900 GT right now.
I'd say it probably will be your limiting factor.. I have a 8800 GT and my 4200+ X2 is limiting my video card.
I believe you would see a good deal of performance increase, but overall you could use a CPU upgrade to go along with the card... I'm jumping up to a 6000+ in a week or two.
Then again it depends on what games your trying to run.
ya, your CPU will limit you, but don't think that you won't notice an improvement. You will. It wont' limit it enough to warrant not upgrading the video card.
ya, your CPU will limit you, but don't think that you won't notice an improvement. You will. It wont' limit it enough to warrant not upgrading the video card.
Then I guess the only question now is whether or not I want the 4850 or 4870. Since I'm looking to build with Nvidia around Christmas, I'm not sure picking up a 4870 with the idea of picking up a second one around Christmas is a good idea. From what I can tell, Crossfire is still a finicky, iffy system that doesn't yield a benefit in some games.
ya, your CPU will limit you, but don't think that you won't notice an improvement. You will. It wont' limit it enough to warrant not upgrading the video card.
Then I guess the only question now is whether or not I want the 4850 or 4870. Since I'm looking to build with Nvidia around Christmas, I'm not sure picking up a 4870 with the idea of picking up a second one around Christmas is a good idea. From what I can tell, Crossfire is still a finicky, iffy system that doesn't yield a benefit in some games.
The same can be said of SLI, though it is more mature.
If you're after Nvidia, you might hold off until next month when the GeForce 9800 GTX+ becomes available -- similar price point, a bit better performance / lower power consumption.
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PSN: TheScrublet
I'd say it probably will be your limiting factor.. I have a 8800 GT and my 4200+ X2 is limiting my video card.
I believe you would see a good deal of performance increase, but overall you could use a CPU upgrade to go along with the card... I'm jumping up to a 6000+ in a week or two.
Then again it depends on what games your trying to run.
Anyway- CPU limited, probably.
Then I guess the only question now is whether or not I want the 4850 or 4870. Since I'm looking to build with Nvidia around Christmas, I'm not sure picking up a 4870 with the idea of picking up a second one around Christmas is a good idea. From what I can tell, Crossfire is still a finicky, iffy system that doesn't yield a benefit in some games.
PSN: TheScrublet
The same can be said of SLI, though it is more mature.
If you're after Nvidia, you might hold off until next month when the GeForce 9800 GTX+ becomes available -- similar price point, a bit better performance / lower power consumption.