What card would be overkill for a AMD 3200+ CPU?

[mikhail357]

I won't be in position to build a gaming PC for a while, so I'm trying to make the best with what I have. I still play games on it, and was thinking of upgrading my video card tomorrow since I'm getting a new PSU. I currently have a 8600 GT, and had my eyes on a HD 4850. Would that be too much for my old 3200+ AMD CPU, assuming that I will have bottleneck issues? If so, what card would be best for my setup...or would I even see an improvement with any type of video card upgrade at this point?

AMD 3200+ Socket 754
2GB DD2 800
XFX 8600GT
1024x768 resolution

 

[Subversion]

i have an amd 4200+, and i just paired a 4890 with it.

having horrific bottleneck issues. i would say that with that chip, ur going to need to hold off until u can upgrade cpu and gpu, i dont think u'll see a boost without upgrading that chip.

 

[Wolfshadw]

Sorry to say it, but your current 8600GT is overkill. I had the same components with a 7800GS in my old rig and it never performed right. It wasn't until I upgraded to a dual core processor that it performed as it should. Looking at Tom's Graphics Hierarchy Chart, your 8600GT is on par with my old 7800GS. Keep what you have and save until you can rebuild.

-Wolf sends

 

[mikhail357]

Thx for the responses...I'll stick with what I got...the fact that my 8600GT being overkill is hilarious...and yet sad...

 

[shadow187]

You don't need a 4850 for that res, trust meh.

Just get a 4650. That'll play everything at that res easily.

Mobo + CPU upgrade can be had for 120$, though!

 

[mikhail357]

You don't need a 4850 for that res, trust meh.

Just get a 4650. That'll play everything at that res easily.

Mobo + CPU upgrade can be had for 120$, though!

And that 120-150 dollar range is what I'm in.

What combo would you suggest at that price point which would make keeping my 8600GT worthwhile?

 

[Wolfshadw]

I still say save up a bit more, but:

Motherboard: ASRock N68-S AM2+/AM2
CPU: AMD Athlon X2 5200+
Memory: Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800

Total shipped: $145.95

-Wolf sends

 

[hunter315]

I would go for this combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.258819
much better processor and board. If you get a second 2GB stick of ram it brings you a tiny bit over budget but will be a vast improvement over the current system
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231203

 

[shadow187]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135240
ECS IC780M-A AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$45 AR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
76$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146779 mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996612 - Retail
36$

156$, I think.