Intel i3-540 + GeForce GTX 960 Budget PC

[Yugaman]

Hi,

My (other) friend is trying to get out of using Core 2 Quads and I have an i3-540 that I picked up for next to nothing. I don't have a motherboard for socket LGA1156 but my friend already has a GTX 960.

My question is: Will an i3-540 and GTX 960 (2GB) run games like CS:GO well? (100ish fps on medium)

He currently has a duffy old C2Q Q8400 and wants more power.

EDIT: I found this video, but it is somewhat outdated. It's a demonstration of someone using i3-530 and a 750Ti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5IwH2UVO24

 

[atljsf]

cs go depends on the cpu, not the gpu, so you will have to run it and see it for yourself, keep your hopes medium, the cpu is old and slow

 

[drtweak]

What Core 2 Quad does he have?

The Core 2 Quads Q8200 and up are actually just as good or even better than that CPU.

Only difference is DDR3 vs DDR2 (Even though there are a few LGA755 DDR3 boards out there)

 

[Yugaman]

What Core 2 Quad does he have?

The Core 2 Quads Q8200 and up are actually just as good or even better than that CPU.

Only difference is DDR3 vs DDR2 (Even though there are a few LGA755 DDR3 boards out there)

Yeah, his current spec has DDR3

Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
8GB 1333MHz DDR3
Gigabyte GTX 960 2GB

my mate only gets 100ish fps on low settings is what annoys him. this video shows 120fps average on highest.. Hmm

 

[Yugaman]

Apologies for a double post but I think it's worth it.

The i3-540 was a mere 1 pound 50 pence, so I'm not too upset if I have to shelf it so soon. I have looked around and found another outdated videio though with someone using an i5 750, which is a true quad core.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_aCxNLpKaI

will they do?

 

[panathas]

The i3-540 was the first gen i3 ever produced and it has 2 cores with hyper threading. On the other hand the core 2 quad is a true quad core. If both were working at the same frequency the core 2 quad should be quicker but since the i3 has a frequency advantage it should be at the same level if not a little bit faster than the core 2 quad. So I think the best option is to overclock that core 2 quad and get as much fps as you can.

 

[drtweak]

The i5 would be better. A i5-750 is about a 6th gen i3 and a i7 870 is about a 6th gen i5

 

[Yugaman]

The i5 would be better. A i5-750 is about a 6th gen i3 and a i7 870 is about a 6th gen i5

looks like I'm getting an LGA1156 board then!