Computer bottlenecking?

Hey guys, hope you don't mind me posting this as my first post - but I would like some help with my system.

I have been reading the forums trying to find some information because I'm considering upgrading my video card. After a bit of reading I thought maybe my card is fine, but is stifled by other components? (or what I believe to be bottlenecking a video card?)

My computer ran fine with excellent graphics until I upgraded about a month ago to a 22" screen from a 15" (yeah I know, 15", dire!) and it is producing really pretty rubbish graphics now low frame rate, low textures etc

So if anyone could take a look at my specs I would really appreciate it.

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 - 3.20ghz - single cire
MB: MSI P35 Neo-F Socket 775
GFX: Nvidia Geforce 8800GS (alphadog edition)
RAM: 3Gb DDR2 (4gb installed)
HDD: 250gb IDE (want to upgrade to sata with GFX card)

I was thinking about upgrading to 9600GT found at: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/142166/show_product_reviews

My price range really tops at £120, so thought this was good to go for!

Any opinions? As a gaming rig?

Cheers!

hello and welcome to CF,Your gfx card is fine,the processor would be the bottleneck there.

you have the same motherboard as me,it supports Dual and Quad core cpus. (with latest bios update)

i think you would be better off upgrading that first.

Well, i think the bottleneck in that system is the P4, its just outdated, and kinda doesn't allow the card to preform at its fullest, no, i wouldn't get a 9600GT, not worth it, the 8800GS us a few frames better in games, so it would basically be like getting the same card again,i would go for the 9800GT, but upgrade that cpu, to atleast a 2.5ghz or higher dual core, whats you cpu socket?
EDIT: o didn;t see that mobo, i would get like a e8400 or something, even a e6600 would be good.

Nevakonaza said:

hello and welcome to CF,Your gfx card is fine,the processor would be the bottleneck there.

you have the same motherboard as me,it supports Dual and Quad core cpus. (with latest bios update)

i think you would be better off upgrading that first.

Click to expand...

Excellent! Thankyou very much, you just saved me an expensive mistake! Because of my budget, i was looking into this "Intel Pentium Dual Core E5300 2.6GHz" would that be any better? or possibly "Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 2.66GHz" (theres like £30 difference an i dont really understand why?)

your welcome

if its only £30 diff then go with the Intel Core 2 Duo E7300,its better because it has 1mb more L2 cache,faster FSB @ 1066. than the Pentium E5300

dont forget though,you will might need to update that Motherboard Bios.

Btw,our motherboard is quite good for overclocking if you ever feel the need

For a cheap upgrade I recommend the E5200 if your motherboard supports it. Newegg has these for around $70 or so shipped. 2.5GHz stock clock and 2MB L2 cache if I'm not mistaken. A very good value. If your motherboard won't support it, then spend another $100 on a better motherboard such as a Gigabyte EP45 series.

Thanks alot for the replies!

With being a student £30 is the difference between eating and not eating for a month, which is why I'll try to save it any way I can

But I think I might go for the more expensive one - I used to overclock on my old motherboard with an AMD San Diego Processor, but when I got this one and an intel processor I sort of went off the idea (I was under the impression I fizzled the AMD one out and got put off )

Might give it a go again with my new proc!

Next problem? Trying to solve the loud noise issue of the Nvidia 8800GS, gonna buy a new cooler for it I think, seen a tutorial somewhere on how to do it!

Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it!

Just if anyone's interested about a solution to the loud noise from the Nvidia Geforce 8800gs - I went on the Nvidia site and found that they are giving away fan restrictions. They are a small insulated cable and all you need to do is order (free in the USA) a part, when it comes unplug your fan cable on the card, plug the restrictor in, then the fan into the restrictor and your done... noise is reduced 50%! (you may need extra cooling power to compensate)

I also bought some acoustic insulation for my PC and its running almost silently now, compared to a few days ago where it was roaring almost unbearably.

Nevakonaza said:

hello and welcome to CF,Your gfx card is fine,the processor would be the bottleneck there.

you have the same motherboard as me,it supports Dual and Quad core cpus. (with latest bios update)

i think you would be better off upgrading that first.

Click to expand...

I agree!