Help w/ system bottle-neck

[Armadillo of Doom]

After trying out L4D (slow to the party I know), and reinstalling Oblivion, I think it's time for an upgrade. I'm pretty sure that my current problem is the cpu, but I'd like to get an opinion from some other techies. I can run TF2 at max settings just fine, averaging 40fps. But w/ L4D, I'm lucky to break 20 Don't even get me started on Oblivion, lol. Specs;

1440x900 widescreen
e4300 1.8ghz dual-core overclocked to 2.7, 65nanometer tech, not sure about cache size
9800gt w/ 512mb 256-bit gddr3
4gb ddr2-800, but winxp only recognizes 3.4gb
550 watt psu
sata 1.5gb/s hdd @ 7200rpm

So what do you all think? And if I do get a beefier cpu, is 550 watts enough to handle it? As an aside, what could this system do w/ Crysis? Any help is much appreciated

 

[psikobare]

I'm pretty sure that my current problem is the cpu

it is

you're welcome

 

[Armadillo of Doom]

it is

you're welcome

Brilliant Holmes :glare: But how much of an upgrade do I actually need, and can my psu support it?

 

[DJive]

TBH your system is pretty good.

when was the last fresh install of windows or a good defrag?

I run...

a lower processor.
a 8800 gts
4gb ram same.
450watt psu.

and do them both fine without lagging.

If you do still feel your PC needs an upgrade then yes your PSU @ 550 should have no problem supporting it.

 

[Smetzle]

Your craphics card would probably struggle at anything higher than medium settings with Crysis (I have a 9800GTX+ and it can only just run it an max settings with DX10 at 1024x768). If you want a quad-core CPU you may need a higher-watt PSU - I have an AMD Phenom II 920 and a *crawls under desk to look through wicked-sick case window* 700W power supply.

 

[The Political Gamer]

This is my rig and it gets about 60FPS on Crysis with SLi on.

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
Memory (RAM) 8.00 GB
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT X 2 (SLi)
1200 Watt PSU
SATA 3GB/s 7200RPM 350 GB HDD
Primary monitor resolution 1920x1080
Secondary monitor resolution 1680x1050
Secondary monitor resolution 1280x1024

Newegg was having a big sale and I got all but the monitors for about $1,500.

 

[A Boojum Snark]

Secondary monitor resolution 1280x1024

Tertiary*

 

[Psy]

Get a Q6600. Good for map compiling, good for games. It's probably less than £100. Your PSU will be able to handle it fine.

 

[zpqrei]

Get a Q6600. Good for map compiling, good for games. It's probably less than £100. Your PSU will be able to handle it fine.

I can second this. It's an amazing processor.

 

[Stormcaller3801]

Personally I've got a Core 2 Duo 2.53 GHz running with a 500W PSU. Graphics card is a 8600 GTS, 2GB RAM, and a 22" widescreen 1600x1200 LCD, plus a half-dozen peripherals on USB and six 120mm fans cooling the thing. Because there's no kill like overkill.

If you want to check and see what you're using and what you might need you could try this wattage calculator on Newegg.

 

[Armadillo of Doom]

I appreciate the info guys. Alas, $200 for the cpu alone is a bit out of my budget atm I've decided to go w/ the e7400. Bigger cache size, and all around better performance. In theory, this will also help me get more juice out of the ram and gpu. When I finally do move up to 1600x1200, quad-core is the way to go