Pentium D 3.0 GHz and GT 430

[gibsonfirebird12]

I am running a system with 3 GB Ram, a Pentium D 3.0 GHz and a GT 430. I just recently upgraded the GT 430 from a 6800. I mainly did it just to play TF2. I don't really need it to do a hell of a lot more. If it could play Black Ops, that would be great too. However, I am getting about 30 FPS @ 1440x900 in TF2 which I don't think is right at all. My system is way above the rec. specs for TF2 and there are videos of it being played with the GT430 all over youtube.

Is my proc bottlenecking the card and causing the low FPS? Any suggestions? Thank you.

 

[Wamphryi]

Your CPU will be a significant bottle neck. You will need to upgrade to get the performance that you want. The minimum specification I would recommend would be the i7 Lynnfield. For new gear a Sandy Bridge i5 with 4 GB RAM will see you right.

 

[hang-the-9]

You have two things happening here
First, the GT430 was a bad idea to upgrade to for gaming. It's not a very good value. You should replace it with a Radeon 5670, same price, 20%-40% better performance. http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gt-430-review/8

Second, the Pentium D, although high in clock speed, is low in processing per clock. But getting a better video card should be the first thing.

 

[rickytrux11]

Pentium D is a very weak CPU for gaming. I also had it, i am going to replace with i5 2400. If you want to pay less then go with a i3 2100 at least. It will increase FPS for sure and there wont be any bottleneck.

 

[Wamphryi]

His GPU upgrade is of reasonable significance seeing as he was running a 6800.

 

[gibsonfirebird12]

Best answer selected by gibsonfirebird12.

 

[gibsonfirebird12]

Thank you all, sorry for the double posting. I think I've decided upgrading to a Wolfdale E3300 and a 5570 or 5670. Shoulda posted here before purchasing GT 430.

 

[hang-the-9]

Thank you all, sorry for the double posting. I think I've decided upgrading to a Wolfdale E3300 and a 5570 or 5670. Shoulda posted here before purchasing GT 430.

For gaming, stick with a 5670 at least. the 5570 can have 20% or so performace hit compared to the 5670, it's closer to the 430 you have now.