Will upgrading the processor improves performance in games?

I have a core 2 duo E4500 @2.2ghz, 9800gt and 2GB of ram. I only game at 1280x1024 and I'm starting to consider upgrading the processor.
I don't want to spend a lot of money, so I'm not looking into an i7 which will mean that I'll have to buy a new motherboard and new memory.

I'm considering an intel core 2 duo E8500, and I would like to hear other suggestions.

I have a core 2 duo E4500 @2.2ghz, 9800gt and 2GB of ram. I only game at 1280x1024 and I'm starting to consider upgrading the processor.
I don't want to spend a lot of money, so I'm not looking into an i7 which will mean that I'll have to buy a new motherboard and new memory.

I'm considering an intel core 2 duo E8500, and I would like to hear other suggestions.

hamzaBZ

[QUOTE="hamzaBZ"]

I have a core 2 duo E4500 @2.2ghz, 9800gt and 2GB of ram. I only game at 1280x1024 and I'm starting to consider upgrading the processor.
I don't want to spend a lot of money, so I'm not looking into an i7 which will mean that I'll have to buy a new motherboard and new memory.

I'm considering an intel core 2 duo E8500, and I would like to hear other suggestions.

-GeordiLaForge-

I'm running XP, and I can't overclock since the pc is pre-built and the bios doesn't allow me to do so.

[QUOTE="-GeordiLaForge-"][QUOTE="hamzaBZ"]

I have a core 2 duo E4500 @2.2ghz, 9800gt and 2GB of ram. I only game at 1280x1024 and I'm starting to consider upgrading the processor.
I don't want to spend a lot of money, so I'm not looking into an i7 which will mean that I'll have to buy a new motherboard and new memory.

I'm considering an intel core 2 duo E8500, and I would like to hear other suggestions.

hamzaBZ

I'm running XP, and I can't overclock since the pc is pre-built and the bios doesn't allow me to do so.

If you want to improve your performance then go and upgrade to an I7, sure you'll have to upgrade your RAM and mobo too but i'm pretty sure you'll notice the improvement. I believe you can upgrade to i7 for about $800.latinneo

[QUOTE="hamzaBZ"]

[QUOTE="-GeordiLaForge-"]If you're running Vista, double your RAM. Either way, overclock your CPU for now. Save up your money for DX11...-GeordiLaForge-

I'm running XP, and I can't overclock since the pc is pre-built and the bios doesn't allow me to do so.

I have an HP.

[QUOTE="-GeordiLaForge-"][QUOTE="hamzaBZ"]

I'm running XP, and I can't overclock since the pc is pre-built and the bios doesn't allow me to do so.

hamzaBZ

I have an HP.

Why is everybody telling him to go for an i7?

Then you have to buy: a new motherboard (LGA 1366 are very freaking expensive), get the i7 (there goes 300-400) and some new DDR3 ram (which is buttload expensive too)

There'd be close to no point, might as well just build a new system.

Games become more CPU-bound as the resolution decreases, so I would say yes, you would see an improvement. However, if you want a big improvement, do go from a dual core to a better dual core. You might as well just do a hefty OC. If you do upgrade, get at least a tri-core or quad-core.

The type of games you play will also be a factor. FPS's may not see massive jumps in performance, but RTS's certainly will.

e7400 - $120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115206&Tpk=e7400

2gb DDR2 800 - $33 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148215

Why is everybody telling him to go for an i7?

Then you have to buy: a new motherboard (LGA 1366 are very freaking expensive), get the i7 (there goes 300-400) and some new DDR3 ram (which is buttload expensive too)

There'd be close to no point, might as well just build a new system.

simardbrad

Hmm.. I have Vista, 2GB ram 2.66ghz and will be getting a 4850 should I upgrade my Ram to 4 GB or 3? or is it not worth it?Shadowhawk000

[QUOTE="simardbrad"]

Why is everybody telling him to go for an i7?

Then you have to buy: a new motherboard (LGA 1366 are very freaking expensive), get the i7 (there goes 300-400) and some new DDR3 ram (which is buttload expensive too)

There'd be close to no point, might as well just build a new system.

lucky326

its a jump up but its better to wait and check out your options rather than buy quickly and be sorry about it. Anyways after a while you ought to have a little bit more money than you already do .. which would increase ur options. BTW the thing i just showed is for around 723.91 GBP. If you search around newegg.com and tigerdirect your sure to find what your looking for.

And in answer to your question.. whats your frontside bus speed? Your FSB bottlenecks your processor speed. So if you had a 888 mhz FSB upgrading really wouldn't help too much considering data gets backed up already. I remember this because a computer scientist told me that even with the fastest processor in the world it doesnt really matter because your frontside bus is how some components communicate with your processor.