Diablo 3: CPU upgrade?

[anthongy817]

Well my PC is finally starting to feel the need to upgrade.

Current rig:
Q6600 oc'd to 3ghz.
GTX 285 (stock)
8GB DDR2-1000
Samsung F3 Raid-0

Running a 30" lcd @ 2560x1600 resolution.

I definitely can't run a single instance of D3 at highest settings..usually medium. Right now I am dualboxing with both clients in windowed mode @ the smallest screen size (I think 800x600). The FPS will normally sit around 20-30 fps.

The GPU is barely being taxed...but all four cores of the Q6600 fluctuates between 40-80% usage. RAM is at 50% usage as well.

What do you all think would be the best "budget" wise upgrade? Don't think I will be playing any other game outside of D3.

Thanks!

 

[nna2]

i would go for an intel 2500k or i5 3570k... that should do a good job with that game

 

[clutchc]

If you are going to game at that resolution, you'll be better off with a new IB processor and a new LGA1155 motherboard to go with it. I imagine you are using DDR2 memory now, so you will need to move to DDR3 for the new board. If the i5-2500 is a bit too high priced for you, the i3-2120 is a really great gaming CPU: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-5.html

The GTX 285 is getting way too old for today's games at that resolution. You may have to go to the $400+ range of cards for that monster monitor: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-6.html

Good budget boards: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%20600093976%204026&IsNodeId=1&name=%2450%20-%20%2475

Good budget Memory: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007611%20600006050%20600006069%204025&IsNodeId=1&name=%2425%20-%20%2450

i3-2120: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

There is no 'budget' card for that resolution. Look for a GTX 670 or HD 7970 if you want to max out games at high rez.