Monitor and/or GPU Upgrade: Bottlenecks?

[firebird365]

I'm currently using the computer in my sig for gaming (World of Warcraft, Battlefield 2) and I'm thinking about upgrading to a dual-screen setup (my 19" BenQ plus an Acer AL2216 22").

In my current setup, I sometimes drop to ~15fps in graphics-heavy situations, and I'm worried that my computer won't be able to deal with both monitors smoothly.

So, my question is: is the problem my GPU or my processor? If it's my GPU, I think I will end up buying a new one--which one should I get?

Thanks!

 

[chupacabra]

There isn't much to go ( if it's agp, if it's pci-e that's another story) if it's pci-e get the 8800 gts and a new psu along because the actual psu is barely able to run your current system.


Edit:nvm your system uses agp LOL, well you're pretty much stucked with that 7800 unless you want to spend big $
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150223

 

[firebird365]

Actually, it IS PCIe, so I guess I'm looking at an 8800GTS and a new PSU from what you're saying...

If I upgrade to an 8800GTS, though, will my CPU (Athlon 64 3700+) be the bottleneck while using two screens? I don't want to upgrade just to find that my CPU can't handle the load (I don't know how much processing power goes towards handling both screens...)

 

[chupacabra]

Sorta but there isn't much you can do with that socket 939 in upgrades that would make a big difference, this would be the more you could upgrade it to http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103037

 

[Sell224]

Sorry to hijack the thread but does anybody know if it is possible that my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU?

 

[Diorhomme]

Sorry to hijack the thread but does anybody know if it is possible that my CPU is bottlenecking my GPU?

Unfortunately there isn't a way to know for sure, but one way (to at least have an idea) to check is to do this: run 3dmark06 test, write down the result. Then slightly overclock your CPU (in your case from 2.2 to 2.4), run the test again. If you see a substantial number increase (500 or more) then you clearly have a CPU bottleneck.