CPU or graphic card?

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faizy02

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Oct 21, 2012
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Hello,
My PC specs are
Processor: Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU E5200 @ 2.50GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 4GB
Card name: ATI Radeon HD 5670 1 GB
Harddisk:500 GB HDD 7200 rpm


I wanna know that what should i upgrade to get good fps in battlefield 3?If its cpu i should upgrade then what is the best one below $120?
 
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It depends.
If you play multiplayer, then BF3 can be quite cpu intensive with many participants.
If single player, then graphics may be more important.

To help clarify your options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely...
Graphics card. You want a GTX 650Ti.

You could do with a quad-core CPU, too - especially if you're referring to BF3 multiplayer, but you should probably upgrade your mobo/cpu/ram instead of trying to find a Core 2 Quad that's compatible with your motherboard.

I'd suggest you sell your current cpu/mobo/ram and get a cheap, current-gen set like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157335
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116775
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161452

Keep your graphics card and deal with Low-Medium settings until you can save up for a GTX 650Ti or better yet, a GTX 660.
 

-Church-

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Feb 2, 2011
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I'd say you're pretty limited either way... Since the LGA 775 socket is dead you won't find any new CPUs online but you can buy some used ones on eBay. Problem is even if you were to upgrade your graphics card I'm not too sure it would do you any good because your CPU might not take full advantage of it.

But I still say upgrade your GPU because it isn't really made for games like BF3. The 7770 is about two times more powerful than your card so it should help with FPS. The 650 is the nVidia equivelant of the 7770 they perform almost identically. But the nVidia card has Physx so it might be the better choice if you play games that use it.

AMD Radeon HD 7770 - $109.99 (w/ Rebates)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150598

nVidia GTX 650 - 99.99 (w/ Rebates)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130827

Also, I agree with what jessterman21 said. You'd be better off waiting and upgrade to a modern system with a modern socket and such because your current set up is at the end of its lifespan. But if you can't do that then the 7770 should hold you over until you can afford to do that, and whats great is you can just transfer it over to the new system you make down the line.
 


It depends.
If you play multiplayer, then BF3 can be quite cpu intensive with many participants.
If single player, then graphics may be more important.

To help clarify your options, run these two tests:

a) Run your games, but lower your resolution and eye candy.
If your FPS increases, it indicates that your cpu is strong enough to drive a better graphics configuration.
If your FPS stays the same, you are likely cpu limited.

b) Limit your cpu, either by reducing the OC, or, in windows power management, limit the maximum cpu% to something like 50%.
This will simulate what a lack of cpu power will do.


Go to control panel/power options/change plan settings/change advanced power settings/processor power management/maximum processor state/
set to 50% and see how you do.


If your FPS drops significantly, it is an indicator that your cpu is the limiting factor, and a cpu upgrade is in order.

It is possible that both tests are positive, indicating that you have a well balanced system, and both cpu and gpu need to be upgraded to get better gaming FPS.


 
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