Choosing Right CPU

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bobdihi

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Is there a formula to help you choose right CPU for a graphics card to avoid bottlenecking and to avoid spending too much on CPU.
For example, whats the minimum specs CPU and how you got to it, to prevent bottlenecking HD4870 for playing latest FPS games like Crysis, Cod5 and so on.
At the moment I got intel Q6600.
Thx
 
Yes there is and it is dead simple. Run performance monitor and add System > Processor queue length. Run your game and then monitor the queue; it it goes above 1 per processor (or core), then your CPU is too slow, and holding the system up. If it is below 1 per core/processor, then it means that a new faster CPU could improve performance, but your CPU is not holding the system up....
 
Best bet to in the 775 socket range is the Q9550, cheaper than i7 and not outrageously priced like the Q9650. Or take Conradl's advice.
 
I don't think your cpu is holding up your gpu. If in doubt spend R45 on sandpaper and lap the cpu/heatsink followed by a overclocking. Now decide to spend more money or not.
 
That sounds all nice if you have an existing rig. But what if you buying a new one.
And dont want to spend to much or too little on CPU. Then how do you find out whats the right CPU for certain graphics card?
 
bobdihi said:
That sounds all nice if you have an existing rig. But what if you buying a new one.
And dont want to spend to much or too little on CPU.
Click to expand...

As DJNgoma said Q9550 is a High performance trade off. Use it, loose it. Mine works fine.
 
bobdihi said:
That sounds all nice if you have an existing rig. But what if you buying a new one.
And dont want to spend to much or too little on CPU. Then how do you find out whats the right CPU for certain graphics card?
Click to expand...

You have an existing CPU, display card and games. So you test it and then see if you need a faster processor. If you buy a new display card, then you test it with the current CPU, and upgrade it if necessary. The queue length will indicate how much more power you need.

Of course having said that, for average usage, I don't think anybody should spend more than R1000 on a CPU. I would also doubt that any CPU that you bought new today would be a bottleneck for the next two years or so....
 
I would say got for the Q9550 its a great cpu at its price and will handle most new games without any trouble at all ,paired up with the 4870 and a good lcd should prove to be an awesom gaming experience ,i have the Q9550 and a xfx 9600GT ,running crysis at all settings on high AA x2 and avg Fps is about 38.
 
Conradl said:
Yes there is and it is dead simple. Run performance monitor and add System > Processor queue length. Run your game and then monitor the queue; it it goes above 1 per processor (or core), then your CPU is too slow, and holding the system up. If it is below 1 per core/processor, then it means that a new faster CPU could improve performance, but your CPU is not holding the system up....
Click to expand...

How do you do this :cool: Gief step by step detailed instructions please.
 
Howbout overclocking that q6600 bobdihi? I have the G0 one and got to 3GHz on stock fan (with no VCore adjustments) and it was a significant boost. But I would suggest using an aftermarket fan and avoid if your motherboard requires motor oil :D
 
NOTHING wrong with that Q6600!
It'll be a waste of money getting a Q9550.

Get some decent cooling on it (TX3 - R200, Hyper 212 Plus - R300) and you're guaranteed for at least 3.4GHz, without excessive voltage.

At that speed you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference between the 2.
 
Roobir said:
Howbout overclocking that q6600 bobdihi? I have the G0 one and got to 3GHz on stock fan (with no VCore adjustments) and it was a significant boost. But I would suggest using an aftermarket fan and avoid if your motherboard requires motor oil :D
Click to expand...

Ditto on that, q6600 is amazing for OC'ing, also got 3.0ghz with no vCore adjustments. I run Crysis on Highest settings 8XAA @1920X1080 avg 21fps (I do have an aftermarket CPU cooler + I lapped my CPU - Never get over 43C in winter)
 
DJNgoma said:
Best bet to in the 775 socket range is the Q9550, cheaper than i7 and not outrageously priced like the Q9650. Or take Conradl's advice.
Click to expand...

+1. Bought mine recently and it works great with an 8800GTS, would seriously reccomend it.:)
 
Unfortunatelly I have got an Intel motherboard that doesnt support overclocking ( DP35DP ). So to get a new motherboard just to overclock that Q6600 is going to become costly. Looks like i will have to go the Q9550 way. Or wait and see.

So if I overclock my graphics card and see no improvements in FPS in games means my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU. Correct me if Im wrong.

Thx everybody for your repplies.
 
Last edited:
bobdihi said:
Unfortunatelly I have got an Intel motherboard that doesnt support overclocking ( DP35DP ). So to get a new motherboard just to overclock that Q6600 is going to become costly.
Click to expand...

Not really, the Gigabyte G31 MB is about R500. I can get 3.1GHz with my Q6600 on that board easily by just increasing the FSB, have not tried higher though.
 
Hi

ASUS P5Q Pro and Intel Quad Core Q8200

OR

ASUS M4N78 Pro and AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
?

TIA
 
bobdihi said:
Unfortunatelly I have got an Intel motherboard that doesnt support overclocking ( DP35DP ). So to get a new motherboard just to overclock that Q6600 is going to become costly. Looks like i will have to go the Q9550 way. Or wait and see.

So if I overclock my graphics card and see no improvements in FPS in games means my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU. Correct me if Im wrong.

Thx everybody for your repplies.
Click to expand...

There's always the draw-a-copper-line-underneath-your-cpu trick to make it boot at 3ghz ;)
 
Rosaudio said:
Hi

ASUS P5Q Pro and Intel Quad Core Q8200

OR

ASUS M4N78 Pro and AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
?

TIA
Click to expand...

The 955 is about R1000 more than the Q8200 and the P5Q Pro about R600 more than the M4N78 Pro... :confused:

Get a P5Q and Q9550 (kills the 955 for R200 - R300 less).
 
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