Q6600 Bottlenecking GTX 580 SLI Rig

[moto nack]

Hi all, Im trying to upgrade my current rig to get some extra fps out of Battlefield 3.

Here are my specs before I start explaining what im thinking of doing.

Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 (3.264 GHz OC)
Memory: Corsair Dominator DDR2 RAM (800 MHz) [2x2 GB]
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black (1 TB) - 7200 RPM
Video Card: EVGA GTX 580 1.5 GB (w/ High Flow Bracket and Backplate)
Monitor: Alienware Optx 1080p 3D monitor
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
Motherboard: EVGA nForce 680i SLI
Computer Case: Antec 1200

All im looking for is for the minimum fps ingame improved.
During the BF3 Beta, with latest beta drivers, I was getting 20-50 fps on Caspian border the more demanding map of the beta. For me, 20 fps is barely playable, an I'd like to get it up to at least 50 fps constantly.
I know my Q6600 G0 is going to bottleneck, but all I care about is that the minimum fps goes up.

I have about 500$ to spend on my computer, and I know a CPU, Mobo, and RAM upgrade wont improve much ingame. So what do you guys think?

 

[amuffin]

A cpu upgrade would improve ingame, well at least since you think your q6600 is bottlenecking your 580.

 

[benski]

Wait for the real game would be my advise. The beta was screwed up and FPS would crater even though hardware usage wasn't maxed out. I have a q9550 and even though I was dropping under 20fps CPU usage never got over 80% and my cards were under 70%.

 

[moto nack]

much of the time in game on caspian border my cpu usage was 100% at all cores. I know BC2 maxed out my cpu cores 100% but I would get 50-90 fps in game on any map. so im not really sure whats going on untill the official release

 

[jyjjy]

$500 can get you an i5-2500k, a good motherboard, 8gb of DDR3 and a nice aftermarket cooler to OC the i5 up to 4.5ghz+ with some cash left over. It's a good idea no matter the situation with this particular game, especially considering you have SLI 580s.
A Core 2 Quad at 3.26ghz is still capable but your video cards are much more than capable and there are plenty of situations where they will be wasted on your CPU. IMO even a single GTX 580 would call for an upgrade.

 

[iam2thecrowe]

^+1 get an i5 2500k