CPU vs. Graphics Card

onecrazyakabine · May 19, 2006, 09:57 AM

Pertty much a noob question.

I was wondering if FPS is souly based from the graphics card? Does the cpu contribute a great impact on FPS?

I am thinking about getting an Athlon 64 3200+ with a Asus K8V SE VIA K8T800 motherboard for $136. Right now I have a P4 2.53 ghz and a P4S533 motherboard with a 9800 Pro and I plan on using this same graphics card with the 3200+. Right now I am getting around 30-55 FPS playing CS:S.

What kind of performance gains am I expecting to see with the A64 3200+ compared to my P4 2.53 ghz?

CDsDontBurn · May 19, 2006, 10:14 AM

you will see an improvement on your FPS, but shouldn't be too great. the best improvment will be from the gfx card.

and if you're going to be upgrading, upgrade to PCI-E. It's the future dude. you can pick up MoBo, CPU, and gfx card all for around $300 or

BWX · May 19, 2006, 10:29 AM

Yeah I wouldn't do any more upgrading in AGP unless you have a very fast AGP system (which some peeps do aready)... for them it is good to maybe get the fastest AGP card available and extend the life of their AGP system, but for you - I would not upgrade it at all and just save for a mobo/CPU/GFX card in PCIe..

Really it will save you money in the long run.

But to your question.. Some games are more CPU/system dependent that others.. but generally eye candy (AA and AF, in game GFX options) are more GPU dependent.. but a really fast system/CPU will definitely boost the framerate overall compared to a slow system with the same GFX card.

onecrazyakabine · May 19, 2006, 10:45 AM

ok now I have a problem. I cant decide weather I want to get this 3200+ and motherboard for $136. I did considered the future about PCIe but then again I only just play CS:S and don't really need a top of the line computer for it. I also dont want to spend too much money and this does seem like not a bad deal.

What would you guys do? Wait for prices to drop and go PCIe anyway?

Oh. I forgot to mention that what I have now isn't too bad during game play. I get a few lag here and there but my fps tends to drop during fire fights to around 20-30 fps and gets laggy.

Do you think it is worth upgrading from my P4 to an A64 3200+ knowing this?
Will the 3200+ run a lot smoother with a significant less amount of lag?

Judas · May 19, 2006, 11:16 AM

save your money...... drop the quality settings a bit to up your FPS in games for the time being, you REALLY don't want to make that kind of purchase right now...

wait at least 3-6 months... and hope that you've saved enough money to make a more current purchase.

Chaos · May 19, 2006, 11:17 AM

you may try a different AGP card and ditch the 9800; perhaps try something from the X800 AGP lineup or a Nvidia 6800GS or better AGP card

BWX · May 19, 2006, 11:27 AM

2.5Ghz Pentium is very slow though.. when it comes to very complex 3D scenes..
Even if all you play is CS:S and you want high frames in complex scenes and firefights, you still want to get the latest tech.. Anything you do will help.. but it might be more cost effective to just upgrade to PCIe all at once than upgrade GFX/CPU/mobo in AGP and still end up with slower system than same money spent on a PCIe system..

It depends on what you want to do really. I was in same boat a few months ago- I just upgraded mobo/GFX/CPU to PCIe and all set for a while.. if you only want to spend a little right now, might want to get GFX card and CPU.. still to me it is a waste to do that.

of course you can try that and then sell the stuff later when upgrading top PCIe..

Fantasma · May 20, 2006, 04:52 PM

As others have said, I wouldn´t upgrade to the "soon to be disappeared" socket 939 considering that the upgrade is not to a PCI-E system. I would save and wait for having the money to buy an AM2 system or a socket 775 system with a Conroe ( new processor which is about to be released)

H3X4D3C1M4L · May 21, 2006, 03:10 PM

AM2 is going to rox0r the hell out of gaming.

Zothian · May 21, 2006, 08:16 PM

I run an Athlon 3500+ and I love it, It can handle FEAR and Oblivion with ease. It's always good to save up a few more bucks to get a couple hundred more + on the Athlon series. A P4 is great... If you like compileing data, and being able to seach thru 50,000 songs without lag. I don't know if a Athlon 3200+ is really an upgrade to a P4, though I would say a 3400 or a 3500 would be.

CDsDontBurn · May 21, 2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zothian

I run an Athlon 3500+ and I love it, It can handle FEAR and Oblivion with ease. It's always good to save up a few more bucks to get a couple hundred more + on the Athlon series. A P4 is great... If you like compileing data, and being able to seach thru 50,000 songs without lag. I don't know if a Athlon 3200+ is really an upgrade to a P4, though I would say a 3400 or a 3500 would be.

it would certainly be an upgrade over what he has now

.

but you do have a point, even a few extra dollars saved up can get you a whole lot more in terms of hardware

Cannyone · May 22, 2006, 05:31 PM

I would think that a 3200+ would be a nice upgrade in itself, but I have to echo what others are saying; it's just not a good choice to get an AGP motherboard atm. Then when I think about it, $136??? Is that a 754 pin, or a 939 pin CPU? And is it a boxed CPU, or OEM CPU?

See you can buy a 939 pin 3200+ (Venice core - 90nm) CPU right now on NewEgg for $135. Check here Then for $50-$60 you can get a motherboard of your choice that would at least be as good as the one this "other person" is "giving" you. In fact if I'm not mistaken the motherboard you reference is a 754 pin, and should cost about $40. But it's still not worth it! Even if it's a "gift". (/Glances over at the 754 pin 3200+ system with 1 GB of RAM and a BFG 6800GT ... that he can't sell to save his hide!!)

As long as you understand that this choice leaves you "ø" upgrade chances in the future, then so be it. You might actually see an improvement in performance. I just hope you have have only 2 Memory modules - 754 pin CPUs are limited to being able to use NO More than 4 "memory banks" .... most memory modules are doulbe sided and therefore have "2 memory banks" each. You have been warned!

Zorg · May 22, 2006, 09:23 PM

Another vote to go PCIe - I am just through it..upgraded from a SocketA/AGP system to A64/PCIe. Oh, yeah, there is a difference - games run way smoother on my low end card. Don't waste money on AGP!