GPU Upgrade or CPU Upgrade?

[tcnjlion41]

I'm currently running a GTS 250 (1GB) on a e8400 (3.0GHz Core 2 Duo) both at factory settings. I'm planning on upgrading my GPU and CPU (likely to a i5-2500k) in the next few months but won't be doing it in one fell swoop. Will I see better performance running with a new GPU (6850?) on the e8400 (maybe with a slight OC) or the GTS 250 on a i5 CPU? I'm mainly playing BF3 and LOTRO, obviously at not too high of settings.

Thanks!

 

[morne]

I would say go for the GPU upgrade... always better to have more graphics and besided the cpu you are using is still ok for most games. i see you choose a radeon, did you have a look at Nvidia aswell? you can get the ASUS GTX550 Ti DC top for slightly cheaper, and then you have cuda + Physx, better image quality.

 

[simon12]

I would upgrade the GPU 1st and wait for a few more of the Radeon 7xxx series to come out before you decide what to get.

 

[thently]

Not that you need the same answer 3 times buuut GPU and a little overclock will work wonders I had a e8500 at 3.8 ghz and that would still be a good performer today... GPU up to you really but I would wait for the radeon full line flesh out and for Nvidia to show their stuff at CES to pick something. Also once those come out last gen stuff will be cheaper.

Thent

 

[dfusco]

The e8500 is a great overclocker so upgrade the GPU first.

 

[DelroyMonjo]

Maybe in a few months you can afford a 6950..but yeah, video card first.

 

[tcnjlion41]

Thanks all - I'll focus on OC'ing my current CPU and then buy a new GPU in the next month or so!

 

[pit_1209]

GPU upgrade and get an oc of that cpu until you get that i5

 

[tcnjlion41]

Best answer selected by tcnjlion41.

 

[Max1s]

Battlefield 3 isnt CPU heavy at all. At least not compared to how much GPU power it needs.

Gpu all the way.

 

[jrazor247]

Battlefield 3 isnt CPU heavy at all. At least not compared to how much GPU power it needs.

Gpu all the way.

I dunno I have e8500 @ 3.6GHz and I get 100% utilization on BF3 (at 1900x1200). Without the overclock I can tell my framerates are quite a bit lower.