Best GPU for a 4GHz Phenom II X4

[dkm777]

Hi guys,

Just curious - what kind of GPU would best match a Phenom II X4 overclocked to 4GHz? Right now I have a GTX570 left over after upgrading another rig. I kinda feel it is overkill. Am I right? Should I sell the GTX570 while it still has value and buy something new and 28nm? The most demanding game I play on this machine is Guild Wars 2.

 

[cmaMath13]

Hi guys,

Just curious - what kind of GPU would best match a Phenom II X4 overclocked to 4GHz? Right now I have a GTX570 left over after upgrading another rig. I kinda feel it is overkill. Am I right? Should I sell the GTX570 while it still has value and buy something new and 28nm? The most demanding game I play on this machine is Guild Wars 2.

That's a good question. I have similar question. Subscribed.

 

[blastingcap]

A GTX570 would be a fine match for your CPU at that clockspeed. That's not far from a Core 2 Quad @ 4 GHz after all. Any more than a GTX 570, though, and I would think that you'd start running into CPU bottlenecks unless you were running at higher than 1920x1200. And some games are just plain CPU bound for most people, like SC2.

 

[dkm777]

Oh, good. I'll be keeping the 570 then. It's the Twin Frozr III so it's nearly inaudible at idle and I like it very much.

 

[tweakboy]

Best bang for the buck 460 1GB 120 dollars and its fast............

 

[cmaMath13]

Based on the articles that I have found online, when it comes to CPU scaling and a new gpu, the cpu doesn't make much of a difference if you running at a higher resolution. I have seen some thread were it is stated that your cpu will be a bottle-neck... The truth is if you have a decent quad-core processor, it won't be a bottle-neck. Keep that 570!

 

[tweakboy]

Tiny bottleneck at that!

 

[Termie]

Based on the articles that I have found online, when it comes to CPU scaling and a new gpu, the cpu doesn't make much of a difference if you running at a higher resolution. I have seen some thread were it is stated that your cpu will be a bottle-neck... The truth is if you have a decent quad-core processor, it won't be a bottle-neck. Keep that 570!

This isn't actually true for new GPUs, but the Phenom II is fine for use with the GTX570.

Far Cry 3: http://www.techspot.com/review/615-far-cry-3-performance/page6.html
Hitman Absolution: http://www.techspot.com/review/608-hitman-absolution-performance-benchmarks/page6.html

In Hitman, the Phenom II is just barely able to support the performance that a GTX570/480 could provide.

 

[cmaMath13]

This isn't actually true for new GPUs, but the Phenom II is fine for use with the GTX570.

Far Cry 3: http://www.techspot.com/review/615-far-cry-3-performance/page6.html
Hitman Absolution: http://www.techspot.com/review/608-hitman-absolution-performance-benchmarks/page6.html

In Hitman, the Phenom II is just barely able to support the performance that a GTX570/480 could provide.

Hum. Not sure I agree with you on this, but perhaps I am wrong. Here are some things to consider.
1) If you look at the chart you provided: http://static.techspot.com/articles-info/615/bench/CPU_01.png
I would argue a quad core Phenom II running around 4 GHz, will handle it fine around 57FPS.

2) Here's another article about the issue:
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1877/7/
Be sure to read the "Bottom Line"

3) Look at this post:
http://www.overclock.net/t/1236961/will-the-gtx-680-bottleneck-a-phenom-x4-965-4ghz#post_16868055
Notice the 4GH Phenom II is running just fine! Not as fast, but still VERY acceptable.

It seems to me that have a nice CPU and go along with a nice GPU will provided the highest frame rates. NO DOUBT! But, when it comes to playing games, a better video card trumps the cpu. It seems a decent quad core Intel or AMD will be sufficient expect perhaps the extreme conditions.

 

[Leyawiin]

A GTX 570 (especially a nice one such as the MSI you have) is just about right for a Phenom II @ 4.0 Ghz.

This year I've upgraded the video card for my PC with a Phenom II X4 @ 4.0 Ghz and a 1920x1200 monitor. My first attempt was a GTX 580, but it was too large and dumped too much heat in my small case (had a three fan Arctic Cooling HSF) so I sent it back. I then bought a GTX 670 and am satisfied with it (much smaller and cooler running), but the performance difference between it and the GTX 580 was zero. Definitely CPU limited. If the GTX 660 Ti had been around at the time I would have just gone with it and saved the cash. Wouldn't have matter with the X4 @ 4.0 Ghz.

 

[skipsneeky2]

Have toyed with a 1090t before and a gtx570,had the 1090t at 4ghz and for the most part the chip was a bottleneck for the gtx570 when i tested out BF3,disabling two cores making it a quad core made it even worst.

Think a 7850/gtx660ti/gtx570/6970 are about the highest model gpus i would match up to either quad core or 6 core phenom 2.