So, I guess what you're saying is that the only way to see what the bottleneck
is, is to try a faster videocard and note the difference in framerate. Then go
back to the original videocard and upgrade the processor and again note the
difference in framerate. Then pick the one that gives you the biggest jump.
That seems like an expensive proposition to me, since you need both a new
videocard and a new processor to conduct that experiment.
I guess then that there's no simple way of deciding _before_ investing in
either a new CPU or a new videocard?
(Not trying to be difficult, but I was hoping to find a more direct way to
determine which one to upgrade).
In a related matter -- I have an Epox 8Kha+ Mobo. Does anyone know where I can
find out the fastest processor it presently supports (or will support in the
future? A url or newsgroup, perhaps?
Thanks!
Bert
> This can vary depending on the game but here is an example of benchmark of
> the same game & settings but only changing the resolution & the video card:
> XP 1900+ with Original Radeon
> 640x480 75 fps <-- Video card bottleneck
> 800x600 54 fps <-- Video card bottleneck
> 1024x768 35 fps <-- Video card bottleneck
> 1600x1200 24 fps <-- Video card bottleneck
> XP 1900+ with Radeon 9700Pro
> 640x480 130 fps <-- CPU bottleneck
> 800x600 128 fps <-- CPU bottleneck
> 1024x768 125 fps <-- CPU bottleneck
> 1600x1200 108 fps <-- CPU bottleneck
> -Tim
> > Curious -- On a given system, how can you tell what the bottleneck is
> between
> > videocard and CPU? (I have an Athlon XP1700 and radeon 8500LE.)
> > Thanks,
> > Bert
> > > First - Newer, faster hard drive. 20GB drives are slow compared to
> today's
> > > 7200 RPM drives with the data densities they are running... The Maxtor
> > > Diamondmax Plus 7200 RPM 80GB D740 drives are around $100 these days.
> > > If you buy a drive, make sure you do it before October 1st. Most major
> > > manufacturers are dropping their multi-year warranties and going to
> > > consumer-screwing 1 year warranties starting October 1st... Check the
> box!
> > > I find it fishy that they all did it at exactly the same time.
> > > Second - DDR Memory.
> > > Last - Video Card. However, your processor can't feed today's
> > > top-of-the-line cards sufficiently so you won't see all the benifit
> > > available. My Athlon XP 1800+ can't feed my GeForce 4 Ti4400 fully, and
> the
> > > processor is my current hold-back.
> > > -Larry
> > > > Hey all..
> > > > If I have a few hundred dollars to burn, what would be a good upgrade
> do
> > > you
> > > > think? Sort of offtopic, but I'm sure some others would be interested
> in
> > > the
> > > > answers. Especially since it would sort of show what is the most
> important
> > > > thing to spend money on.
> > > > My current setup is:
> > > > Athlon 1700+ XP
> > > > Radeon 7500 64MB DDR.
> > > > 17" Monitor
> > > > 256MB PC133 RAM.
> > > > Thrustmaster/Guillemot Ferrari FF Wheel.
> > > > I don't have any problems with my wheel, but I would really like a new
> set
> > > > of pedals maybe even with a clutch. A new shifter isn't really
> important
> > > to
> > > > me since I play mainly rally games, so the sequential shifter or the
> > > paddles
> > > > is fine enough.
> > > > Some new DDR RAM (which I can also fit on my mobo) would be a nice
> upgrade
> > > > too, and would probably benefit in performance over the current PC133
> ram.
> > > > A new video card maybe? Although I'm still happy with my current one..
> > > > A bigger monitor? Does a 21" monitor really help? I'd assume it would
> with
> > > > sense of speed, and you could probably run wider FOV in GPL maybe?
> > > > A new processor?
> > > > So basically, if I could swap out any part of my system for a newer
> one
> > > (as
> > > > a treat to myself) which should it be (in terms of bang for the buck)?
> > > Also,
> > > > I only have a 20GIG hard drive.. maybe a new harddrive would be a
> > > priority?
> > > > Mike
> > > > http://mikebeauchamp.com
