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Wheres my computer bottleneck?
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:36 am
by John Cartwright
AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ Processor with Enhanced Virus Protection 2.2GHz
1.5GB PC3200 DDR SDRAM memory(b)
250GB 7200RPM SATA hard drive
LightScribe Double Layer 16X DVD±R/RW drive
DVD-ROM drive 16x max. speed
ATI x1300 512mb PCI-E
I don't get that great performance in games, even though I think my computer should be

... what would you consider upgrading on this rig?
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:38 am
by Burrito
vid card.
bump it up to a geForce 7800 gtx or greater.
or if you're a die hard ATI guy, go with (at least) the x1800.
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:42 am
by John Cartwright
Hrmm really, I think thinking it's more of a CPU problem.. is the x1300 that bad?
Wohoo, the new EVGA GeForce 8800 GTX 768MB GDDR3 is only $838 (CND)

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:50 am
by Burrito
Jcart wrote:Hrmm really, I think thinking it's more of a CPU problem.. is the x1300 that bad?
no I don't think it's bad, but that was my guess for your bottleneck in gaming. Overall games rely more heavily on gfx cards than they do cpus so a workhorse gfx card can compensate for a slower cpu and provide for a smoother gaming experience. The 1300 is the 'low-end' of the 1000 series radeon cards and if you really wanted to upgrade something, that's where I'd start.
The geForce 8000 series cards just came out this week and they have a physics chip built in to lessen the load on the gpu. This means that for the next generation dx10 games that previously *recommended* a separate physics card, you won't need the additional hardware...or at least that's what toms says.
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:53 am
by John Cartwright
thanks chap. (waiting for d11 to say I'm improving dialect

)
I will consider treating myself to that video card for Christmas, will go nicely with my latest addition, 28" widescreen lcd hdtv

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:16 pm
by Burrito
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:19 pm
by John Cartwright
thanks newegg.com (and burr), just saved me $100

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:20 pm
by Burrito
actually I saved you $200 cause you're gonna buy two of them and put them in SLI.
while you're at it, this is the mobo you're going to get:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813188009
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:24 pm
by John Cartwright
can I put in my existing video card with the other one?

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:27 pm
by Burrito
Jcart wrote:can I put in my existing video card with the other one?

<homer_voice>
ummmm......no
</homer_voice>
you might be able to get another ati card and use crossfire though, you'd have to check your system specs to see if it's supported.
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:31 pm
by John Cartwright
BTW-- why do I want a new motherboard?
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:35 pm
by Burrito
Jcart wrote:BTW-- why do I want a new motherboard?
to work with your new processor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819115001
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:36 pm
by Chris Corbyn

Burrito's gonna spend your salary for you here.
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:46 pm
by John Cartwright
Okay.. I get it.. so why do I need a new processor?
Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 12:49 pm
by Burrito
Jcart wrote:Okay.. I get it.. so why do I need a new processor?
just to suit your bacon-eating well being.