CPU Question

[SlowbieOne]

First off, I have a P3 866 Geforce2 GTS. I know I'll be able to run Jedi Knight 2 very well since I can run most games at or near full detail, even newer ones. I may upgrade, but I need some answers first.

 

I need one of you computer gurus out there to help me out. I am probably going to get a Geforce3 or Geforce4 next month, but I don't really wanna upgrade my processor because I'll need a new motherboard too, and I don't wanna spend big bucks to upgrade when it may not even be necesary.

 

My question is this, what exactly is the role of the processor in computer gaming? Would JK2 run at full (or nearly at least)if I had a Geforce 3 or 4 with my P3 866? If not, how well would my P3 866 run with a Geforce 3 or 4?

 

So basically, I would like to know the processor's role and importance, and the graphics card's role and importance when it comes to computer gaming. Any input is appreciated.

[ERasER]

I'm in a similar position as you (P3 1ghz, just got a geforce2 gts), and I feel pretty confident that I'll be able to run Jk2 and some of the other upcoming games comfortably. Anyways, it probably wouldn't be a good decision to upgrade up to a geforce 3 or better on that system - your performance increase would be hardly worth the money for the graphics card.

 

Different game engines are more or less dependent on your graphics card than others, however I think that if you go out and purchase something like a geforce4, your processor is really going to be a limiting factor in performance. You would receive a performance increase with a faster graphics card, certainly, but you probably wouldn't be happy with it and it certainly wouldn't be worth the money.

 

A geforce 3 might be a good idea, if it's not extremely expensive - it depends on how much money you have to spend

 

Just my opinion of course

[WD_ToRMeNt]

A week a go I upgraded from a PIII 600 to an Athlon XP 1700. I had the same video card as before (Radeon 64 meg ddr w/vivo) and my framerates increased quite a bit. Some games more then others.

 

If you upgraded just your vid card I'd say it would be your CPU that is the bottle neck (especially if you got a GF4 or high end GF3).

[Roger]

I don't know exactly, but your CPU might limit a new video card, which results in no improvement over your old video card.

 

(the video card is fast as hell, but your CPU can't keep up with it)

 

So I don't think it's wise to upgrade to a new video card. Better save that money for a full upgrade (AMD CPU, a motherboard and an nVidia video card).

[rolsen]

I've heard a general rule of thumb that for the newest video cards, ie Geforce3, Geforce4 and Radeon 8500, you shouldn't get one unless you have a 1Ghz CPU or higher. With a CPU of less then 1Ghz, your CPU becomes the bottleneck and not the video card. That being said, you might still want to buy one of these video cards because it will be quite a bit better then your Geforce 2 GTS, and if you are planning on upgrading your CPU and mobo in the future, but keep in mind you won't be able to take full advantage of the new video card.

[db6]

One of the most important things a CPU can do is mathematical calculations. This is important for all graphic intensive programs since pictures are actually stored as numbers in the computer: 0's and 1's. In today's games (namely games using the Quake 3 engine, which is Visual C++ based), mathematical calculations related to graphics are processed by the graphics card, which recieves it from the CPU. The limiting factor is actually the CPU's cache space. The new Celerons have 256KB cache (the old ones had 128KB). The P3 has 512KB cache, and the P4 has variable cache (couldn't look it up, but the last I heard it was 2MB), the athlon's CPU is actually lower in hardware speed, but graphics are handled by a part of the chip that is closer to the pipe-line, so instructions are issued faster than the P4. The difference between an Athlon XP and P4 variates from one program to another: some programs run better with Athlons, other run better with P4's. If you need your computer to be "High-end", and run games for the next few years, I recommend either an Athlon XP or a P4, the choice is up to you. Sorry for the long post, but I had to explain everything.

[SlowbieOne]

Thanks guys. That's all I needed to know.

[Swoosh]

Processors and motherboards are getting cheaper and cheaper. I wouldn't be surprised if you could get a nice combination for less than a geforce4...I'd do that if I was in your boat. Wait for video card prices to lower and pick one up when they do. That's what I'm planning on doing this summer atleast.

 

Swoosh

[GUNNER]

Originally posted by db6

The new Celerons have 256KB cache (the old ones had 128KB). The P3 has 512KB cache, and the P4 has variable cache (couldn't look it up, but the last I heard it was 2MB)

 

Right on the celerons, wrong on the PIII. the older PIII. The Katmai chips, had 512 cache.. The newer PIIIs called the Coppermines went back to 256 cache. the new P4s also have 256 cache except now the new P4 2.2ghz chips called the Northwood are back to 512 cache.

[Bowen]

Vid cards will definitely run faster with a faster proc but I guess between the two, I would get a GF4. I have a GF3 but I'm gonna wait until later this year to upgrade my vid card. I have an Athlon (Thunderbird) 1.33 GHz. I'm going to upgrade to whatever the fastest Athlon is out in a couple of months. If AMD runs on schedule, they will be releasing their Hammer proc which is a 32bit chip with 64 bit extensions. It is rivaling Intel's IA-64 Itanium but on paper it looks to beat the Itanium decisively anyway. I can't wait until the end of the year (too impatient) so I'll get the fastest AMD proc in a month or so. Just from my upgrade I'll only see maybe 8-10 fps more probably with just the proc upgrade but when I get the latest GF at the end of the year I'll most likely get around 50 more fps!