New GPU or CPU?

right now im running an 8800 GTX paired up with a Q6600 quad core @ 2.4 Ghz, and im considering an upgrade. according to my friend i cant get a GPU much better than that without the CPU bottlenecking it, so im wondering if i should upgrade the CPU instead (i'll get a GPU later probably, or the other way around).

EDIT: please post you're opinions after voting to keep buped for a while

Just overclock your Q6600 to 2.8 or 3Ghz and you will see a huge difference.

But if you REALLY want to upgrade, get an HD4870 or maybe wait for the HD4870x2.

Get a really nice sound card and some high quality speakers, or new coolers for your video card and CPU.

It would be a waste of money to get a new CPU or GPU.

Get an aftermarket cooler and if you got a good G0 stepping quad then it should easily go to about 3.6ghz. If you don't have a G0 stepping quad then unlucky cos the B3 ones are crap :pgeorge_hopkins

they arent crap, they can still go to ~3.2 so...

The only thing that could use an upgrade if you really want to spend some money is your GPU.

Still, it's not like you really needed too.

yeah unless you wana spend for sli if ur psu is strong and that stuff personaly im going sli GTx 280 upgrade instead of Two gTx 280 at start by that time the GTX 280 gona lower and i don't expect any super video card better then Sli GTx 280 before end 2009 unless the war in ati : nvidia get much highermarcthpro

SLI is a bit of a waste to be honest. It requires you to have an SLI motherboard which are mostly quite rubbish (790i is allright but requires DDR3) and in a lot of games there is no performance gain at all and in some games there is actually a drop in performance.

Yep the B3 quads can go to 3.2 still but they're still very hot chips which require a lot of voltage to get there so in comparison with the G0 quads they are pretty crap.

all game after 2006 are sli performance increase watch what ur say.
nvidea mean to be play (this logo in entering official announce the game is gonna perform sli : wow & even the sims 2
spore : anything. you can think off as performance increase on sli as long it as 1600x1200 & 1920x1200 monitor feature
else you may not even see the difference since most of 8800gT + video card can support 1280x1024 no lag. all high or almost all high so my point of view sli is for 1600x1200 1920x1200 monitor and it seem to outperform crossfire for money. budget
but not ever-one spend 2000$ on computer i agree on that but that my choice
there is other thing you can spend money : Sport equipment : pass for all season on mountain for snowboard 500$
a new snowboard 500$ here. : helmet : pads : another 400$
cloth : 200-300$ : life is really expensive there some pant of snowboard that my cousin paid. 200$ 250$ the Vest
300$ the helmets : snow-glass : 50$ and it can go on on what he get for bike 700$ bike
300$ of Zoo york cloth : Skateboard part. he waste money on something he like instead of pc. he as social life with over 20 friend
he got o party all week end we don't have all that chance to have a social life and spend 2000$ on cloth & gear. we instead put it into computer that what i believe =(

680i = ok 16x pci-E 1.0 sli 780i = Sli well 2x pci 2.0 16x 790i not sure 3x 16 but i think TWO PCI-E 2.0 And one PCI-E 1.0 it compatible cross-using from 1.0 to 2.0 and still offer good tri sli

You have no real reason to upgrade right now. Your system is near the top as is. You might have a situation where certain games could run a bit better, but there really isn't anything that will give you want you want without spending a ton of cash. If your playing FSX or something similer there is no system right now that will give you what your asking for unless you sell a kidney.

If I were in your situation, I'd wait a bit and buy a Geforce GTX 280 when the price becomes reasonable (

Just overclock your Q6600 to 2.8 or 3Ghz and you will see a huge difference.

But if you REALLY want to upgrade, get an HD4870 or maybe wait for the HD4870x2.

Guru_G4M3R

i really want to know what rez u game at if u have a 24inch or bigger then yeah a 4870 wouldnt be to bad to go hell the gtx 280 got a huge price drop i saw one on newegg for 450$(lol must suck for early adopters :lol: )or wait for the 4870x2 which is bound to be more pwerful then it at a similair price. so go with that one of those if u have a 30 incher or alot of cash. as for the cpu u could just over clock it.

if ur running something like a 19 inch display it would proably be wise to get a bigger display to take full advanatage of ur graphics card.

[QUOTE="Guru_G4M3R"]

Just overclock your Q6600 to 2.8 or 3Ghz and you will see a huge difference.

But if you REALLY want to upgrade, get an HD4870 or maybe wait for the HD4870x2.

matte3560

Haha a Dell gaming pc. Out of interest, what power supply does it have in it?

BTW, I'm running @ 1920 x 1200, i see a lot of people asked...matte3560

as a good bit of you say i should just OC my CPU, i im now considering a mobo upgrade (peice of s*** dell mobo....)

im not really much of an expert on mobos though, so if anyone could make a suggestion that would be nice (Would be nice if it supported SLi...)

[QUOTE="matte3560"][QUOTE="Guru_G4M3R"]

Just overclock your Q6600 to 2.8 or 3Ghz and you will see a huge difference.

But if you REALLY want to upgrade, get an HD4870 or maybe wait for the HD4870x2.

george_hopkins

Haha a Dell gaming pc. Out of interest, what power supply does it have in it?

Anyone upgrading from a Quad and a 8800 GPU is a graphics whore.sadikovic

[QUOTE="george_hopkins"][QUOTE="matte3560"][QUOTE="Guru_G4M3R"]

Just overclock your Q6600 to 2.8 or 3Ghz and you will see a huge difference.

But if you REALLY want to upgrade, get an HD4870 or maybe wait for the HD4870x2.

matte3560

Haha a Dell gaming pc. Out of interest, what power supply does it have in it?

A 400w running an 8800gtx? Dell really like to skimp on their power supplys don't they. If you got a dell case then a mobo upgrade may be out of the question without a new case because dell mobos usually have custom motherboard standoff hole things. I'm not 100% sure but i know their cheaper systems do.

[QUOTE="matte3560"][QUOTE="george_hopkins"][QUOTE="matte3560"][QUOTE="Guru_G4M3R"]

Just overclock your Q6600 to 2.8 or 3Ghz and you will see a huge difference.

But if you REALLY want to upgrade, get an HD4870 or maybe wait for the HD4870x2.

george_hopkins

Haha a Dell gaming pc. Out of interest, what power supply does it have in it?

A 400w running an 8800gtx? Dell really like to skimp on their power supplys don't they. If you got a dell case then a mobo upgrade may be out of the question without a new case because dell mobos usually have custom motherboard standoff hole things. I'm not 100% sure but i know their cheaper systems do.

maaaaan, im gonna need a new case too then.... right.... uh.... wait.... flash BIOS anyone?

the only prob i have with my current mobo is that the BIOS is locked, so i cant OC my CPU... i have some pheonix BIOS ATM...

i took these specs out of SiW (System info for windows)

North Bridge: Intel X38 Revision 00

South Bridge: Intel 82801IR (ICH9R) Revision 00

Cpu Socket: Socket 775 LGA

System Slots: 6 PCI

im guessing this stuff will make a diffrence in waht type of bios i can use, but honestly, i havent got much of a clue so any reccomendations would be nice.

all game after 2006 are sli performance increase watch what ur say.
nvidea mean to be play (this logo in entering official announce the game is gonna perform sli : wow & even the sims 2
spore : anything. you can think off as performance increase on sli as long it as 1600x1200 & 1920x1200 monitor feature
else you may not even see the difference since most of 8800gT + video card can support 1280x1024 no lag. all high or almost all high so my point of view sli is for 1600x1200 1920x1200 monitor and it seem to outperform crossfire for money. budget
but not ever-one spend 2000$ on computer i agree on that but that my choice
there is other thing you can spend money : Sport equipment : pass for all season on mountain for snowboard 500$
a new snowboard 500$ here. : helmet : pads : another 400$
cloth : 200-300$ : life is really expensive there some pant of snowboard that my cousin paid. 200$ 250$ the Vest
300$ the helmets : snow-glass : 50$ and it can go on on what he get for bike 700$ bike
300$ of Zoo york cloth : Skateboard part. he waste money on something he like instead of pc. he as social life with over 20 friend
he got o party all week end we don't have all that chance to have a social life and spend 2000$ on cloth & gear. we instead put it into computer that what i believe =(

680i = ok 16x pci-E 1.0 sli 780i = Sli well 2x pci 2.0 16x 790i not sure 3x 16 but i think TWO PCI-E 2.0 And one PCI-E 1.0 it compatible cross-using from 1.0 to 2.0 and still offer good tri sli

marcthpro

LOOOL, OHHH MAN! PLEASE CARRY ON! You sir, have made my day... I'm nearly crying here!

Edit: Oops, on topic: Keep your setup. It's fine as it is. As other people have suggested, however, perhaps spend a bit of money on an aftermarket cooler and OC. If I had alot of money to spend, I'd probs get a nice monitor/speakers.

[QUOTE="marcthpro"]

all game after 2006 are sli performance increase watch what ur say.
nvidea mean to be play (this logo in entering official announce the game is gonna perform sli : wow & even the sims 2
spore : anything. you can think off as performance increase on sli as long it as 1600x1200 & 1920x1200 monitor feature
else you may not even see the difference since most of 8800gT + video card can support 1280x1024 no lag. all high or almost all high so my point of view sli is for 1600x1200 1920x1200 monitor and it seem to outperform crossfire for money. budget
but not ever-one spend 2000$ on computer i agree on that but that my choice
there is other thing you can spend money : Sport equipment : pass for all season on mountain for snowboard 500$
a new snowboard 500$ here. : helmet : pads : another 400$
cloth : 200-300$ : life is really expensive there some pant of snowboard that my cousin paid. 200$ 250$ the Vest
300$ the helmets : snow-glass : 50$ and it can go on on what he get for bike 700$ bike
300$ of Zoo york cloth : Skateboard part. he waste money on something he like instead of pc. he as social life with over 20 friend
he got o party all week end we don't have all that chance to have a social life and spend 2000$ on cloth & gear. we instead put it into computer that what i believe =(

680i = ok 16x pci-E 1.0 sli 780i = Sli well 2x pci 2.0 16x 790i not sure 3x 16 but i think TWO PCI-E 2.0 And one PCI-E 1.0 it compatible cross-using from 1.0 to 2.0 and still offer good tri sli

ruuuj

LOOOL, OHHH MAN! PLEASE CARRY ON! You sir, have made my day... I'm nearly crying here!

Edit: Oops, on topic: Keep your setup. It's fine as it is. As other people have suggested, however, perhaps spend a bit of money on an aftermarket cooler and OC. If I had alot of money to spend, I'd probs get a nice monitor/speakers.

oh, and where the f*** did that quote come from?

First thing you should know is to never buy dell again.Why would you even consider it if you are a regular upgrader.

And for the GPU,just wait for 4870X2.A single 4870 is just not enough of an upgrade over 8800GTX.Combine a 4870X2 with a Q6600 at 3Ghz and you will own 19x12.But how you are going to achieve that with a dell is something I am not in a mood to discuss.:lol:

First thing you should know is to never buy dell again.Why would you even consider it if you are a regular upgrader.

Spybot_9

EDIT: i got it at 30% off in an offer my dad got through his job, so it seemed like a decent deal

[QUOTE="Spybot_9"]

First thing you should know is to never buy dell again.Why would you even consider it if you are a regular upgrader.

matte3560

But what's gone is gone,you should I think build your next one yourself.:)

EDIT: i got it at 30% off in an offer my dad got through his job, so it seemed like a decent deal

matte3560

[QUOTE="matte3560"]

EDIT: i got it at 30% off in an offer my dad got through his job, so it seemed like a decent deal

Spybot_9

Yes it's a good deal but they have used an underpowered PSU, and a motherboard which can't be overclocked or upgraded which makes it into less of a good deal :P

8800GTX is good enough atm, a Q6600 is still very good also.

Save your money!

i really want to know what rez u game at if u have a 24inch or bigger then yeah a 4870 wouldnt be to bad to go hell the gtx 280 got a huge price drop i saw one on newegg for 450$(lol must suck for early adopters :lol: )or wait for the 4870x2 which is bound to be more pwerful then it at a similair price. so go with that one of those if u have a 30 incher or alot of cash. as for the cpu u could just over clock it.

if ur running something like a 19 inch display it would proably be wise to get a bigger display to take full advanatage of ur graphics card.

johnny27

glad that i made ur day with my funny explaination of w/e i did say lol anyway he said is motherbord can't oc it all lock that suck i hate dell now,marcthpro

it took me about five minutes to make any sense of that post :P

[QUOTE="Spybot_9"][QUOTE="matte3560"]

EDIT: i got it at 30% off in an offer my dad got through his job, so it seemed like a decent deal

george_hopkins

Yes it's a good deal but they have used an underpowered PSU, and a motherboard which can't be overclocked or upgraded which makes it into less of a good deal :P

[QUOTE="george_hopkins"][QUOTE="Spybot_9"][QUOTE="matte3560"]

EDIT: i got it at 30% off in an offer my dad got through his job, so it seemed like a decent deal

matte3560

Yes it's a good deal but they have used an underpowered PSU, and a motherboard which can't be overclocked or upgraded which makes it into less of a good deal :P

Indeed! Dell really like to cut if fine though because even a decent 400w is really just scraping through.

Wait... You have a Q6600 and an nVidia 8800GTX? ...I'm offended that you'd actually create this topic... Save your ******* money.tequilasunriser

I upgraded from a 8800GTX to the 9800GX2 just so I can game on the 24" at the natvie resolution and extra eye candy! Made the difference!

dude you offended tequila is a realy evil guy look is skelleton he gonna come backstab you at ur house if you don't ok ? is dead freaking serrious so don't waste ur money or he gona be like spawn wearing a cloak and come with is chain and strangle you


only j/k tequilla is nice but is right you must save money
unless you have a realy load and want so bad to play higher resolution like 1920x1200 then go for SLI or SIngle GTX 280
if ur mobo is nvidia based now go watch some benchmark and watch ur money. carefully
here il give you link on google
amandtech.com
bit-tech
Hardocp
Tweaktown
Tomhardwares
and read benchmark of cpu : & Video card if not able then i may send you direct link to it marcthpro

It takes me a while to understand what you're saying. I'm not a grammar Nazi, but punctuation does exist for a reason. Ah well, I'll give you props for working my brain!