need help on my system upgrade.

[renx05]

i have a phenom ii x4 840 paired with evga gtx 660 sc signature 2 and i don't really know if my cpu is bottlenecking my gpu. at some games, my fps is just fine but fot example, at tomb raider, i get really low fps in some specific maps like at shanty town. i'm stock at 20 minimum fps and 35-40 fps maximumbut on the other maps, my fps is just fine 40-90fps.

i like to upgrade either the processor or 1080p monitor but i can't buy it at the same time coz i'm just a poor student. i just want to know what do i need to buy first.

my specs.
amd phenom ii x4 840 @ 3.4 (this is the only overclock i can do because i'm only using the stock HSF. the temps are just fine.)
evga gtx 660 sc signature 2
4gig ram
antec vp550p power supply
msi 880gms-e35 mobo
playing at 1366x768 resolution

(i want to know if playing at 1080p resolution will help and lessen the low fps at some games.)

edit: if i need to replace the processor first, i would like to stick on AMD because i'm really on a tight budget. don't suggest go intel because if i have money, then i will really go and buy i5. hahaha!

 

[quilciri]

Going to a higher resolution will lower your fps. 1080p (1920x1080) is a higher resolution than 1366x768.

That having been said, a gtx660 can easily handle 1366x768; the CPU is likely your issue. to make sure, open task manager while running the game. when you hit the low fps part, alt-tab out to task manager and see if the CPU was running at 100%. If so, a CPU upgrade will help.

 

[renx05]

Going to a higher resolution will lower your fps. 1080p (1920x1080) is a higher resolution than 1366x768.

That having been said, a gtx660 can easily handle 1366x768; the CPU is likely your issue. to make sure, open task manager while running the game. when you hit the low fps part, alt-tab out to task manager and see if the CPU was running at 100%. If so, a CPU upgrade will help.

i tried what you suggested. it shows that the cpu is running at least 80-90% at gaming while the GPU averages about 78% at load according to gpu-z. i know that the gtx 660 can run games smooth high to ultra settings on my current resolution. is that a bottleneck? i'm really bothered by the suddent fps drop in games for example, at batman arkham origins, when you open a door, or go outside the building while there is snow, my frames suddenly go down but quickly goes to normal again and sometimes it's quite laggy.
i know that the gtx 660 can run games smooth high to ultra settings on my current resolution.

 

[quilciri]

Yes, your CPU is holding back the system right now. Since you have an AM3 board, Your best bet imo, is to try and dig up a Phenom II 955 (or higher - 965, 975, 980) black edition and grab an aftermarket cooler for overclocking (CM hyper 212 EVo is the staple around here - $30)

p.s. looks like they're ~$120 used on amazon and $100 average sold listings on ebay (before shipping) for the 955/965's.

 

[renx05]

Yes, your CPU is holding back the system right now. Since you have an AM3 board, Your best bet imo, is to try and dig up a Phenom II 955 (or higher - 965, 975, 980) black edition and grab an aftermarket cooler for overclocking (CM hyper 212 EVo is the staple around here - $30)

p.s. looks like they're ~$120 used on amazon and $100 average sold listings on ebay (before shipping) for the 955/965's.

uhm, i'm not really into overclocking because i don't know how and dont want to damage my components when testing. is the 965 be able to handle gtx 660 at stock? and my other option beside buying a used 965, i can wait till next month to buy fx processor. maybe fx 4300 or 6300 together with a new mobo. which one is better? again thanks.

 

[quilciri]

The 965@stock will be fine. If you can spring for a new mobo, the 6300 is the best value in the fx line.

 

[renx05]

The 965@stock will be fine. If you can spring for a new mobo, the 6300 is the best value in the fx line.

ok. thanks for the help. and one last question. will i be able to play at 1080p smoothly at atleast medium to high settings if i upgraded my processor and mobo with this setup?

 

[quilciri]

Yes. On medium settings @1920x1080 (i.e. 4xFSAA, 4xAA, fps killers like DoF off, and shadows turned down a bit), the system will pull 50+ fps in most AAA games.

 

[renx05]

ok thanks for your help. i'm going to wait a month to buy the parts.

 

[quilciri]

Good luck! Oh, one more thing to note - when changing zones or anytime there is significant loading from the HDD to RAM, your framerates will drop briefly no matter what the rest of your rig is - that is normal.