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View Full Version : CPU - Size does matter!



C4b4nossi
2012-04-03, 15:57
I updated my rig today and wanna share my experience...

I played BFBC2 with a 8800 GTX on a 2,7GHz X2 AMD (Dualcore) - was ok for the beginning. After that card broke, I got my current GTX 460 1GB which didn't really improve the gameperformance. So I patched my BIOS and build a 2,9 GHz AMD AM3 Athlon II X4 635 (Quadcore) onto my AM2+board which resulted much better perfomance of my GTX 460. That even increased when I build in a "real" AM3 board with DDR3 RAM. With this configuration I started BF3. Can play with a 1280x720 resolution with mostly every setting on LOW (refering to http://www.geforce.com/optimize/guides/battlefield-3-tweak-guide). I got 35 to 95 fps depending on map while all 4 CPU cores where constantly at 100%. Turning on FRAPS breaks down fps to 20 - 45. :(
Now I replaced the Quadcore with the current AMD flagship "Phenom II X6 1100T" - a 3,3 - 3,7 GHz six core chip for only 160 € (new store price).
Tada: same gamesettings (will play with that later) give me 60 - 130 fps WHILE frapsing fullsize with 60 fps where six cores run at 70% !!!

So if you are struggeling with your hardware, find the "bottleneck" in your PC. No graphicscard will gain its full potential when it is blocked by CPU or RAM. And CPU and RAM are way cheaper than graphics....

Caveman
2012-04-11, 16:10
Agree on this m8, no big FAT 580 or 7970 os simular big graphic card will be 100% used if cpu can't support it. 8)

So whenever you build a system make sure the cpu and ram supports the rest of the system.

Great tip Saro 8)