what's my bottleneck

soccerwizard · #1 February 2nd, 2011, 07:01 PM

So basically my question is what should my next upgrade be? where's my bottleneck? CPU or video card
It seems i'm limited to core 2 duos or core 2 quads for now since i don't have the budget to get a new mobo which supports Core i5 or i7.
Right now I'm looking at
Video card: GTX 470
CPU: i don't know.....E8400??
suggestions please

#ELMO# · #2 February 4th, 2011, 02:47 PM

Personally Id say its you GPU is your bottleneck.

soccerwizard · #3 February 4th, 2011, 06:51 PM

yeh i agree. I just purchased a gtx470 and couldn't be happier with the results

#ELMO# · #4 February 6th, 2011, 08:49 PM

Hoping to upgrade to the 470 myself! what games are you playing? bet they are looking sweeeet on your rig now

soccerwizard · #5 February 8th, 2011, 03:24 AM

Do it, it's a beast of a card. the 320bit interface absolutely blows through higher resolutions and gives you fps like your still playing on 1024x768 lol. I play CSS and L4D2 consistently but those games don't make use of this card. Crysis/Metro 2033/Lost planet 2/Dirt2 will make you wanna gawk at the screen with this card though. Also since I got the card I'm now using my 9800gtx as a physx card, so that helps, if you upgrade you could do the same, judging by your PSU
Be forewarned though, it runs really hot, I mean 95c+ under full load with the stock cooler. I solved that problem by throwing into my water cooling loop. Also the card has no overclocking potential unless you turn up the voltage. I was really split between this and the 560Ti, if you're running higher than 1680X1050 get the 470. but if your lower than that get the 560Ti, you'll get better frames with it at lower res.