Will it cause a bottleneck?

[Timo204]

Hello,

I'm planning on upgrading my GPU (Still got a GTX550Ti in there). Now the thing is, I don't know if the card I am planning to buy (MSI GTX 760) will bottleneck with my Core 2 Quad Q6700 (Stock speeds)

The games I play on a regular basis are
GTA 4: Episodes from Liberty City
Euro Truck Simulator 2
Darksiders II
GTA: San Andreas
Payday: The Heist
Garry's Mod
Crysis 2 (sometimes)

Here are my full PC specs, just in case;
CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad Q6700 @ 2.66GHz
Motherboard: MSI MS-7380 P7N SLI Platinum
RAM: ADATA 8GB DDR2 800Mhz 4x2 sticks
GPU: Asus GTX550Ti 1GB GDDR5
PSU: Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 550w
HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F1 HD103UJ 1TB 7200RPM
Case: Raidmax Scorpio 868
No optical drive.

 

[Plusthinking Iq]

not much point in upgrading gpu, bottlenecks in cpu. you will se an improvement if you get a better gpu but not worth it. just save up for a new pc, that will take a some time. next year you should have saved up some to get a totally new gaming pc and some new games that need the upgrade.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

not much point in upgrading gpu, bottlenecks in cpu. you will se an improvement if you get a better gpu but not worth it. just save up for a new pc, that will take a some time. next year you should have saved up some to get a totally new gaming pc and some new games that need the upgrade.

Cant say I entirely agree. I wouldn't recommend upgrading and older system, as it can be slightly pointless. But saying that, the OP has a decent mobo, with a very OC'able CPU. Similar to my own system.

The mobo, has a default setting of 1333mhz (CPU actually runs on a 1066mhz FSB), and if you simply increase the mem from 267 to 333 MHz, you get your Q6700 from 2.66 ghz to 3.3. A very decent overclock, with little or no cost (other than time). I would agree that even with the OC you will be bottlenecking the GTX760, but not a whopper amount. Maybe something like a 650ti Boost 2gb version would suit better if you can get one. WIth your CPU at 3.3ghz, and a 650ti you would see a huge improvement with fps. A 650ti Boost v a 550ti is a world apart in performance, and you will totally see the difference.

However, a note of caution, make sure if you are going to try and OC your CPU that you do extensive reading on your mobo/CPU/ram combo, and take it in small steps, testing for stability all the way. Otherwise you have the potential to fry some components, which you don't want. The more you read, the easier OC'ing with confidence will be.

Just my two cents worth

Edit: Even if the OP does get a new GPU, he can always use that for a basis for a new PC next year, as you put it. But he will get more longevity out of his current machine, which is still viable for medium setting gaming, even on some of the newer titles.

 

[md1032]

IMO, You really need to get rid of that Core 2 Duo. Yes, you would see the benefit from a GTX 760, but personally I wouldn't waste my money because you're going to need to upgrade that system at some point, and when you do, chances are, your $250 will be able to buy a better card than the GTX 760. The 550 Ti isn't horrible. It's a solid budget card and should be able to get you by until you can afford a new system.

 

[Roland Of Gilead]

IMO, You really need to get rid of that Core 2 Duo. Yes, you would see the benefit from a GTX 760, but personally I wouldn't waste my money because you're going to need to upgrade that system at some point, and when you do, chances are, your $250 will be able to buy a better card than the GTX 760. The 550 Ti isn't horrible. It's a solid budget card and should be able to get you by until you can afford a new system.

The OP has a Core 2 Quad.......not a Duo......