What do i need to upgrade next?
 

Hi, hopefully someone can help me as you all seem quite a knowledgeable bunch. I have just upgraded my graphics card from a gtx260 to a gtx 560 ti oc in the hope of a smoother game with more fps. Since putting it in i have hardly noticed any difference at all. I know clod may not be fully optimised yet but i can't really see it getting a whole load better, i'm struggling to get in the high 20's fps. It also hasn't made much difference to Arma2 which i play quite alot. I was thinking about getting a ssd but will it make that much difference? I can't put any more ram than 4gb in unless i buy a new motherboard which then means i need a new processor. Anyway here is my specs, what do you think. I have a couple of hundred pounds to spend but can't afford to go for very top of the range stuff atm.


Amd 6000+ 3.11 ghz
4gb ddr2 800mhz ram
gtx 560 ti oc gpu
128 gb sata hdd
win 7 home 64 bit
580watt psu

If that is dual core, then if you can find a QUAD core drop in replacement, I would bet you will see some large improvements. I have gone from Dual to QUAD in several builds for IL-2 and Bad Company and was glad I did.

If you do, please confirm with a followup to inform others.

Yes it's a dual core. I didn't think i could get a quad core for AM2 socket motherboards.

Yep, a quad (or more) is next. All the other components are great.

Guess you were hoping for us to say RAM but thing is 4GB is enough and getting more won't do much.

Unfortunatly i don't think i could put anymore RAM in anyway. Quad core it is then. I think i may aswell bite the bullet and get a bundle of cpu, MB and more ram in one go as they are usually cheaper. As i still have my old gtx 260 would it be possible to use it in sli with my new gtx 560 ti or do both gpu's have to be the same?

Have to be the same.

You can get CPU motherboard and memory for a couple hundred pounds, at least where I live you can.

Just been looking for quad core bundles and it appears i can fit the later am3 cpu's to my am2+ motherboard, awesome! Can i just take the old one out and put the new one in? Will i need to do anything to the bios?

Check your bios version and then go on the mobo's manufacturer's website and check if your bios version supports the desired processor.
If not check if they have a new bios that will support your new processor.
Update the bios according to the manufacturer's instructions.

I have an Asus mobo and they let you flash the bios from the windows environment after downloading it with their bios updater that came with the mobo cd, more than easy. I would imagine that other manufacturers have similar applications.

The path I would choose for upgrading your system little by little is:
new processor (am3/am2+) socket (that is what you are doing now)
new mobo (am3+ socket, your just purchased processor should fit on that one without any problems) and new ddr3 ram (no way around that for the new mobo)
you then will be even ready to get one of the new FX/Bulldozer processors once they hit the market.

Honestly the video card should be good for a while, I think you did make a good purchase there.

Sorry, forgot, though maybe not absolutely necessary at the moment, I would look into your powersupply, I am not sure what your video card needs at the minimum, but maybe in order to even out the investments you are going to make, if possible you could get the processor and a good new powersupply now and then be set with that, and then plan on the new mobo and ram.

whilst on the topic of upgrades, I am wondering which of this should be replaced, I can only run Clod at ~20-30fps with huge stutters.

ATI RADEON 68701gb
Q8400
4gb ram
500W homebuilt power supply :cool:

Hmm, you should get more frames out of that system. The Q8400 is quadcore at stock 2,66GHz. You should be able to overclock well over 3 GHz.
Your g-card and ram is sufficient for max settings.

You're running XP? At what resolution?

Other thoughts
 

Dave,
I don't recall the tdp of that cpu, however likely that your pc only draws 300 - 400 watts max, max!

How mush was the ps, where did you buy it, who is the manufacturer and model number?

If one assumes that your ps is a quality/reliable manufacturer one it should not be a limiting factor. However most ps that the average joe buys at best buy and the like are junk if they are priced under $100+ FOR THAT WATTAGE - PS are not created equal, of significant importance is the actual manufacturer and the reliability, voltage control of the ps.

Never cheep on the ps, and do the research before you buy.

Others may differ, but my recommendation without further info on your ps, is that >> if << you cannot drop a quad in your existing mobo, you would need a new mobo. Never just replace mobo, i always recommend reinstall of os.

Right i've just picked up a phenom 2 quad core and have updated the bios to accept am3 cpu's. If you don't hear from me again, it's all gone horribly wrong.

Or you're in aw over the beautiful game and fps over 60 avg. :-D

Didn't go quite to plan :( My motherboard can't take the new 125w cpu and shuts down straight away. Oh well looks like i need a new motherboard and ram after all.

Got my new motherboard, quad core cpu and 8gb of ram installed and it even boots up and runs fine without having to reinstall win 7. I am now happy to report i an getting around 45 fps average which is soo much better than before. Off to play some more.
Thanks for all your help :)

Running win7 x64, unable to overclock (possibly due to bad motherboard? It was fairly cheap) past 2.67 :(.

I don't know what to do, it avgs around 25 and often goes lower!