Old Rig, new games...

[Dieb11]

Hey everyone. Its been 4 years since my last post and last computer build, so I´m pretty rusty... Like the title implies, im still running my old build and trying to run games on it. I recently got The Witcher 2 and it is unplayable, even at low settings. My build is the following:

Case- COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer
Mobo-DFI BLOOD IRON P35-T2RL LGA 775
PSU- CORSAIR CMPSU-520HX
CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E6550
RAM- ST- PC-6400 800 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Western Digital Caviar RE WD3200YS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black
Microsoft Windows Vista 64-Bit Home
BFG 8800GT OC

I am running the game on my TV, at 720p resolution. My question is the following: Would getting a new video card help at all or is the CPU too slow? I cant build a new computer just yet but I can afford a a decent GPU that will last me a while and that will be usable on my future build.

Any suggestions?

 

[Rifter]

If you can OC that CPU a mid range GPU(460,560,6850) would not be a bad idea.

 

[Dieb11]

Ive never really overclocked before...any idea how much OC´ing this CPU will take on stock cooling? the GPU has a great aftermarket cooler on it, so I could probably tweak it a bit too...Is it worth it? Will it actualy make games like the witcher playable?

 

[lehtv]

On only 720p, you'd see a tremendous improvement from something like HD6870 for $160. Would last a long while, along with a CPU upgrade later on. At that low resolution though, I'm not sure if there will be a slight CPU bottleneck, could be. HD 6850 is another good choice

Compared to your current card: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/178?vs=164 (6870 is just a tad faster than that 5850 but since your GT is OC, it's pretty accurate as is)

Is it worth it? Will it actualy make games like the witcher playable?

If it's not playable now, it's not going to be playable after overclocking. The performance boost from OC isn't enough to just magically make games run smooth

 

[R4in]

Your also running Vista. Thats like giving your computer the finger lol.

In all seriousness though, I do agree that a new video card would be your best bet. A GPU upgrade is the single best gaming performance increase you can give your pc.

 

[mfenn]

I don't recall TW2 being terribly CPU-intensive when I played it, but I didn't measure it scientifically. Definitely grab a new GPU first because it will still be useful even if it turns out that you need a new CPU.

 

[fffblackmage]

+1 to upgrading the GPU first.

 

[Dieb11]

Thx Guys. I´ll get a good GPU and use it for now, till I can get the rest of the components.