Bottlenecking

[imported_inspire]

I run a 20% OC (2.4 GHz) right now on my X2 for everyday stuff. I'm debating between a new build and an upgrade. This build is only about 10 months old, so I'm leaning towards an upgrade. But if I'm going to run into a bottleneck, I'd like to know which Nvidia 8 series card would give the best performance without bottlenecking.

Thanks guys.

 

[Skott]

Thats a good question. I hear its ideal to have a chip running 2.6GHz or better for the 8800GTX so being its the GTS version and your at 2.4GHz I'd say you are right around the borderline of your pcu being the bottleneck. You should be okay though unless you go for the 8800GTX or a more powerful card when they come out.

 

[deadseasquirrel]

Your monitor is missing from the rig in your sig. Not only is it the most important piece of hardware in your system (you stare at it pretty much the whole time you're using the computer), but it's also the most important piece when determining if there will be a CPU bottleneck for your GPU because it determines what resolution you (can) play at.

The type of game plays a large role as well... for example, RTS games perform better with faster CPUs even at high resolutions such as 16x12. And there are other games, such as FPSs, that go the other way-- a faster CPU won't even make a difference at 1280x1024.

In general though, your X2 will not be bottlenecking the GTS. There might be a particular game (such as Supreme Commander) where a faster CPU will make a significant impact no matter what resolution, but the 8-series cards a soooo much faster than your 6600gt that no level of bottlenecking will take away that "holy crap" feeling you're going to get once you install it.

 

[harpoon84]

Nah at 2.4GHz you'll be fine:

http://firingsquad.com/hardware/geforce_8800_gtx_gts_amd_cpu_scaling/

deadseasquirrel is right though, it really depends on the game, but *most* run well on a 2.4GHz X2/8800GTS combo. It seems pretty well balanced to me.

 

[secretanchitman]

yeah, 2.4-2.6Ghz is where you should be.

luckily, im right at 2.6Ghz...

 

[daveybrat]

Why upgrade?? Your cpu is fine and you'll be blown away stepping up from the card you have now.

 

[JumpingJack]

Originally posted by: inspire
I run a 20% OC (2.4 GHz) right now on my X2 for everyday stuff. I'm debating between a new build and an upgrade. This build is only about 10 months old, so I'm leaning towards an upgrade. But if I'm going to run into a bottleneck, I'd like to know which Nvidia 8 series card would give the best performance without bottlenecking.

Thanks guys.

This will answer your question:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/geforce_8800_gtx_gts_amd_cpu_scaling/

Short answer is yes in some cases the GTS will push the bottleneck to the CPU.... this will get worst as multithreaded games beging to appear and start utilizing the CPU for more complex physics, API, and collision detection.

 

[richardrds]

You should be fine with the X2 @ 2.4G with the 8800GTS.

Hold off on the CPU upgrade itch for another 6 months and then you can drop an Agena (quad core) or a Kuma (dual core) in that AM2 socket and kick the pants off the C2D's and Penryn cores. The Agena and Kuma are the Next Gen desktop CPU's that AMD will be releasing, they are designed using the K10 Barcelona core archetecture. They will run on AM2, AM2+, and AM3 mobo's.

 

[PingSpike]

I've got the same setup and overclock, only s939. That firingsquad article was an enlightening piece.

 

[sandorski]

Even if it does, so what? You'll see a nice boost in your performance over your 6600GT whether it bottlenecks or not.

 

[Skott]

Originally posted by: richardrds
You should be fine with the X2 @ 2.4G with the 8800GTS.

Hold off on the CPU upgrade itch for another 6 months and then you can drop an Agena (quad core) or a Kuma (dual core) in that AM2 socket and kick the pants off the C2D's and Penryn cores. The Agena and Kuma are the Next Gen desktop CPU's that AMD will be releasing, they are designed using the K10 Barcelona core archetecture. They will run on AM2, AM2+, and AM3 mobo's.

Has it been proven yet wether the new AMD chips will beat Conroe or Penryn chips? I'd like to see the tests on that.

 

[MarcVenice]

AMD 3800+ X2 (AM2) @ 2745 MHz (305x9) on 1.55v (51c / 31c)

you said 2.4 ? If you can run it at 2.8ish, you should be fine. I would wait for the r600 though, or the Radeon HD 2900XT, whatever name floats your boat. Better performance then the top nvidia model for the same price. ATI/AMD have said that they will be brought out en masse. The xtx will probably come out later, in case your wondering, which might make it a bit of a long wait

 

[RussianSensation]

Since you are gaming with 6600GT right now, perhaps you don't need a card that powerful. With 7950GT going for $170 for 512mb card and X1950XT selling for $170 open box, if you sell your 6600GT you could have yourself a $120-130 upgrade for about 4x the performance increase.

You'll always have a bottleneck in the cpu or gpu or both. 8800GTX will not be running at it's full potential with an X2 system but if you get 90% with it that's still worthwhile. As more games become more intensive the bottleneck will start to shift towards the graphics card. Perhaps with multi-core games this might not be entirely true though. I think your priority right now should be 2 gigs of ram total and a better graphics card if you game. You just might be comfortable enough with a card for $180 instead of $500.