CPU vs GPU upgrade

Hi guys,

My current configuration is:

CPU: AMD Sempron 3600+

GPU: Gainward BLISS 7800GT PCX 512 MB

RAM: 3 GB 800 MHz DDR2 Kingston ValueRAM + Apacer

TES4 Oblivion is one of my favorite games, and I love its looks at the highest settings. Unfortunately, I'm not getting very nice framerate playing at them. Especially in the forests, amongst a lot of trees and with a lot of grass around, the framerate falls to ~ 12 fps.

I know that my video card is not quite up to the best currently available, but it still should be a decent one, I guess. At the same time, I know pretty well that my CPU is very low-end already (although an exceptionally nice performer for its price, it was really low-end even when I bought it).

So, my question is: do you think that a CPU upgrade will allow for better framerates (not just in Oblivion, but in other games, of course), or it's really mostly problem with the video card?

I was planning to upgrade the CPU anyway, but I'm not particularly happy about upgrading the video card as well, as the Gainward was a bit pricey when I bought it, and I'd like to squeeze more of it before I throw it away.

Thanks very much for your responses in advance!

Cheers,

Bilbo

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for your replies. :)

What resolution do you play at? But im guessing its mostly cause of the graphics card, but you should consider upgrading ur cpu like you said, it'll help some but not as much as a gpu upgrade.kakishi1

I'm usually playing at 1280x1024, which is the native resolution of my LCD. I must note that bringing down the resolution to 1024x768 and especially to 800x600 improves the framerate noticeably, but, then again, the overall quality gets not very pleasing.

get one of the new AMD quad cores or Intel ones that are going to come out...Your cid cards till has lifeendtype

Quad-core is indeed what I was aiming for from the beginning -- I didn't want to waste money on dual-core just to replace it with quad few months later (but I needed to upgrade from my AthlonXP 2400+). Unfortunately, I still can't find reliable information if such quad-cores for the AM2 socket (that I have) have been released already or, if not, when (and if) they are going to be released. As for the Intel, they do seem excellent performers, indeed, but are pricey, and, most importantly, that would mean also an MB change, which will be too heavy on my pocket, I'm afraid. But thanks for the idea, anyway.

You NEED a cpu over haul!!! Get a AMD X2 3800+ or higher and you should be ok. I would get a HD 3870 after you get enough after the CPU.LouieV13

Yes, if it would be a dual-core, than perhaps even 6000+ or at least 5600+. As for the ATI, hmmm... I've always been an nVIDIA fan, but, then again, perhaps I should check at least once the "dark side". ;)

Even though GPU gives better performance in most games than CPU,that Sempron is the border between low-end and crap-end,get new CPU first,i'm assuming you have a 939 or AM2 rig,so get X2 4200+Indestructible2

Yes, it's AM2, indeed. Well, as I mentioned above, if not quad-core, I'll try to get at least the top level dual-core -- I'm not very happy doing upgrades often. Then again, I might just wait for the AM2+ (or even AM3) processors, if I find the patience. :)

yeah new CPU should be your priority in this case. filmography

CPU firstwklzip

Thank you very much again, guys. From what I heard, it'll definitely be a CPU upgrade. I just have to decide if I can wait more for new processors from AMD, or I'll just jump on the train with their latest ones.

Cheers,

Luchesar

[QUOTE="endtype"]get one of the new AMD quad cores or Intel ones that are going to come out...Your cid cards till has lifebi1b0

Quad-core is indeed what I was aiming for from the beginning -- I didn't want to waste money on dual-core just to replace it with quad few months later (but I needed to upgrade from my AthlonXP 2400+). Unfortunately, I still can't find reliable information if such quad-cores for the AM2 socket (that I have) have been released already or, if not, when (and if) they are going to be released. As for the Intel, they do seem excellent performers, indeed, but are pricey, and, most importantly, that would mean also an MB change, which will be too heavy on my pocket, I'm afraid. But thanks for the idea, anyway.

2 AMD quad cores will be out by the end of the year. http://www.tomshardware.com/2007/11/19/the_spider_weaves_its_web/ heres an article about the processors with hands on information and benchmarks. Well the results are that the AMD quad cores (they are really 3 cores with one extra incase of one fails) has worse performance then the Q6600 which is Intels least good quad core but they are also slightly cheaper. Although no game supports quad cores at the moment so it won't do any difference until earliest next year, maybe not until 2009. Anyway, the AM2 socket will support amd processors not only next year (am2+ processors) but also in 2009 (AM3 processors) so I think it would be a bad idea of swapping your mobo since it will get new processors for another few years too come..

My idea of what to do is that you should get 6000+ for about 170$ I think or the 6400+ for some 240$ for now. Both of these processors will make sure that your graphics card won't be bottlenecked for quite some while. Later on in 2009 or maybe 2010 you can get a new AMD processor which should outdo the current processors in the market.

Problem with this is that you will have too buy processors 2 times, and you won't get top of the line the first time since it idn't a quad core, although this might not make a big difference if there won't be any games that support quad core systems out until 2009. But you cannot know for sure. The processor should do fine until 2009 anyway, but you never know. Also when getting the second CPU for your computer you can't know for sure what AMD is offering, they might not have things too compete with intel then either which would suck quite a lot. Also, eventhough the CPU socket is futureproof the Video cards might change from PcI express too something else, but I haven't heard any indications of this yet.

On the positive side you won't have too buy a new Mobo which is really nice. Also Intel are about too change to a new chipset so you won't be able too upgrade the processor you get the first time a whole lot without getting a new mobo in 2009 or so. But this will allow you too get top of the line hardware already now that will stand the test of time better then the 6400+, atleast a little. So basicly by picking a intel processor you will get top of the line already today but you will have to swap Motherboard twice in the time you won't have too switch motherboard at all if you pick AMD.

Hi guys,

Thanks a lot again for your replies. :)

2 AMD quad cores will be out by the end of the year.

...

So basicly by picking a intel processor you will get top of the line already today but you will have to swap Motherboard twice in the time you won't have too switch motherboard at all if you pick AMD.omgimba

omgimba, thank you very much for your comprehensive and very helpful comments. You gave me a really good insight into the situation. Most likely I'll get 6000+ or 6400+, indeed, and then see what the future will bring forward. I do regret a bit for not choosing Intel, but since I now have an AMD platform, I guess I'll just squeeze from it as much as I can, and then, perhaps, will consider a switch. :)

7800GTX is a pretty good video card but that Sempron is holding you downdayaccus007

Ah, I wish it were GTX, but, unfortunately, it's only GT. :(

i agree with everyone else upgrade your cpu first there so cheap you can get a good dual core for $75-$100mastershake575

It seems everyone's opinion, indeed. :)

I appreciate all your responses very much, guys. Now, thanks to you, I have a much clearer picture in my mind. :)

Thanks again,

Luchesar

While the CPU would need upgrading, what's holding you down in Oblivion is the video card. Oblivion only runs well on high settings with a current high-end card.

It's very apparent since the performance improves when you lower the resolution. Thatmeans the game is limited by the GPU, not the CPU.

This will tell you more than whatever I could say:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=715&model2=706&chart=296