is the CPU THAT important for games?

linkin

linkin

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lets say I had a system that could max GTA IV, except for the CPU, which would be minimum. would there be a noticable drop in fps/performance? I'm guessing there would be.
 
Course it will limit you. GPU plays a big role but it means nothing if the CPU can't handle its end either.
 
but what about cards with CUDA? takes the load off the CPU correct? or is that just for physics? :confused:
 
Your GPU is the biggest factor in a game that relies on your GPU (not all games are GPU heavy, Supreme Commander is an example of a CPU heavy game) but the GPU communicates with the CPU, a slow CPU will limit even the fastest gfx card. A Here is an example of my testing.

my old rig:
CPU: Athlon 64 3200+
GPU: X800 PRO

At the time the GPU was very high end and the CPU was pretty mid-range.
At the stock 2.0 Ghz cpu, my 3dmark05 score was about 4300.
I overclocked it to 2.2 Ghz and it bumped up to 5800. I overclocked it to 2.5 and it was still around 5800. This means that as long as the CPU is fast enough to handle the communication from the GPU, the CPU will not become the bottleneck but a super fast CPU will not increase gaming performance as much as a better GPU. An easy way to tell if you CPU is the bottleneck is to do that test, go to stock speed, benchmark and overclock and benchmark if your 3dmark score is significantly higher then your CPU is limiting your GPU. If the score only raises a bit, then the CPU is fine. As furhter proof, I upgraded my CPU from the athlon to my current Q6600 which is lightyears ahead of the 3200 and still my 3dmark score was about 5800. It was only when I upgraded my GPU to the 8800GT did the score really jump (up to about 16,500).

In short:
As long as your CPU is fast enough to handle the GPU then your GPU will be used to its full potential and a faster CPU will not improve gaming performance as much because then your GPU becomes the bottleneck.
 
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Yeah, especially comparing say, a pentium for to a quadcore. GTA IV is optimised for quadcores, and performs much better on a quad than an older singlecore, or even a newer dual core.
 
I was only using gta 4 as an example, but thanks for that. As soon as some of my stuff sells on ebay I'll be buying a pentium dual core e2220. stupid mobo won't support any higher. At least when my new build is finished it will slaughter my current system (see sig)
I won't actually be playing GTA 4 unless i buy a ps3 or something.
 
CPU is a big factor, it performs the main calculations of your software, if you CPU can't hold up then your GPU wont be able run at full speed. In a more understandable explanation
-think of your GPU as a truck that can carry massive load (18-wheeler)
-And think of your CPU as an engine.

-If you have a tiny engine, your enormous truck will not be able to carry all that weight that it is designed to do. I am sure there are better simplifications but the one i said is probably okay lol.
 
bump, and how would a 3.2ghz pentium 4 cope with a 9500gt? I will buy an aftermarket cooler and plan to reach 3.8ghz with overclock, if i get that P4 3.2ghz at all.
 
The cpu in my old Socket 939 ran wide open at 100% whenever I played 2142 online, and caused lagging.

I got a better gpu for it and the lag was still there, even on low settings.
 
Bodaggit23 said:
The cpu in my old Socket 939 ran wide open at 100% whenever I played 2142 online, and caused lagging.

I got a better gpu for it and the lag was still there, even on low settings.
Click to expand...
Which,the OP should note this. Almost every single 939 cpu was faster than any of the pentium 4's, so think how bad a pentium 4 would be to game on.
 
ok. I was thinking of going amd. just an am2 board and a athlon 64 x2 4400+
how does that cope with 9500gt?
 
ok will look around on ebay. I dont know a lot about AMD so i assumes the 4400 was good.
guess i'm wrong?
 
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