Choosing the graphics card for my computer

You are going to need a better power supply no matter what.

Your CPU is likely going to bottleneck you off the bat. Mainly because it is slow (both architecturally, and pure GHz), and as an OEM system you can not OC, and if you could, it is not recommended with low end parts (RAM, Motherboard, and PSU).

Other than that, you are wasting your money. A Raedon will be cheaper and perform better. Try for a 7850 or 7770 to relieve some of the bottleneck.
 
Wolf, a Q6600 is not going to be bottled by a 660ti. A Q6600 is fine for any graphics card at the moment. Its a bloody awesome CPU.

You will need a new PSU however...
 
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I think that is not exactly right. I know at least on my setup, the frames improved drastically when OCing and that is far from the best graphics card and a 2600k. And the Q6600 is slower clock for clock and only 2.4GHz.
 
Mate, q6600 will be fine, certainly not the worst CPU around, but yes you're right, it works a great deal better at 3.6GHz ;)
 
then basic logic says it is a bottleneck. It will work with the graphic card, but it will hold it back.
I am not saying he should not upgrade the graphics, but there are much better matched cards than a 660ti. A 7770 would match nicely. A 7850 would be better, but more hindered.
 
at 2.4GHz on an slower arch., I believe you are dreaming. The 480 is held back at stock on a 2600k. the 7850 is approximately the same processing power. Oc the 2600k to 4.2 and you loose the hold. Frames are steady above 4.2.
 
wolfeking said:
at 2.4GHz on an slower arch., I believe you are dreaming. The 480 is held back at stock on a 2600k. the 7850 is approximately the same processing power. Oc the 2600k to 4.2 and you loose the hold. Frames are steady above 4.2.
Click to expand...

evidence for any of your claims?

My GTX580s in SLI didn't bottle my 2600k at stock, so you're talking out your backside.

The Q6600 is not going to be bottled by a mid range gpu, period.
 
thanks for your reply guys:good:
great input:good:

I want to clarify though, why does my CPU become a bottle neck?:confused: and

why should I choose a Radeon 7850 or 7770 over the graphics card i selected?:confused:
(it is cheaper, but the one i selected has better performance and uses less power unless i looked at the wrong one)
this is the one i looked at:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2316875&CatId=7387

what do you mean by an OEM system that can't be overclocked?:confused:
 
Hi Vip

The CPU becomes a bottleneck becuase ultimately (on almost all boards), the PCIe lane that the graphics card uses ultimately is processed (along with memory) via the CPU.

Thus no matter how good your gpu is, if the CPU cannot process the incoming data quickly enough, it becomes a bottleneck.

Im testing my graphics cards now with the Crysis bench maxed out at 1080p.

Stock is

CPU: 50FPS average
GPUs: 100FPS (min 70).

Overclocked CPU to come...

ok...

GPU: Went up to 80 average
GPUs: 101FPS same all else (@4.5GHz 1.3V).
 
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what if i were to change my CPU wouldn't that be good enough and if i were to upgrade it as well what specs would i be looking for to avoid the cpu bottleneck
 
Yes, you can get better performance out of your computer overall in terms of game loading times and saving etc... but ultimately a Q6600 will eat any game still except for maybe Skyrim or ArmA or any flight simulator.
 
thanks for the reply

can you sent me the a link to the psu you recommended and are you sure my processor won't be a bottle cap?
 
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