Upgrading my Processor

So you guys have heard me complain about my FPS. I get 35 at Warpgate, 20 in light battles, 15 in medium battles, and 5-10 in heavy battles. My K/D goes from 2:1 to 1:2 at about the 20 FPS threshold. Unfortunately I tend to be in low FPS situations more than not. I currently can't gun Libs properly because I can't see most of what other players see.

It's not surprising considering that my processor is below Minimum Requirements. When I built the computer years ago I sacrificed on the CPU for a better GPU (money was the limit). I can still play most games at Ultra graphics (even online) but my lacking CPU is now biting me in the butt on PS2. The only way I can even play it somewhat is I messed around with the Useroptions.ini.

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tldr; My processor sucks.
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Here's my current setup:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 @ 2.33 GHz
GPU: Nvidia 8800 GTS 512
RAM: 4GB
Motherboard: DP35DP
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium


Now here's the question. The best processor my Motherboard can handle is the Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550. It's about $275-$300.

My budget is not set in stone, yet. I'm relying on my tax return and I'm estimating $300-$500.

Should I go ahead and get the Q9550, or should I get a new motherboard and go with an I5 or something along those lines? Money is an issue here. If I can get a noticeably better setup for $30 or $50 more I'm willing to. But I won't pay another $200 for a minor upgrade over the Q9550.

If I get more from the tax return than I thought I'll put it into some more RAM.

Any advice or help would rock.

 

I say get the i5-3570k. It's what I run with and I drop to30-40 fps in large fights. The price for it and a new mobo would be around $300 but its well worth it.

 

And grab 8gb of corsair vengeance, black sticks, if you need new ram.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Core-i5...=UTF8&qid=1359547898&sr=8-1&keywords=i5 3570k

http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Inte...7912&sr=8-4&keywords=lga 1155 motherboard z77

The motherboard is x-fire ready but does not support sli. Most sli boards go for higher prices.

 

i agree with Kowl, get the mobo, processor combo if it is at all within your budget.

Getting the new mobo will allow for future upgradability. Plus the Q9550 isn't much of an upgrade over the Core 2 Quad i have and my FPS goes to shit in large fights, like 10-15.

I'm doing the same thing, waiting on tax return to build a new system. looking at the crazy prices of those Q9550 i dont think you would spend much more on a new motherboard and i5 processor, and even if taxes dont cover the cost it may be worth to save for a little while. and yeah more ram, rams cheap

 

Your system, even with a Q9550, wont touch a new rig. Replace the cpu/mobo/ram and reuse everything else.

A 3570k with matching mobo and ram will run about $400. Also replace the 8800 GTS soon, its 5 years old. I'm personally replacing my 5770 in Q2 when, sort of ironically in your case, AMD's 8000 series comes out.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157304

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116504

 

I think just a video card upgrade will give you improvement. But yea, go with a new mobo/cpu. You could get an amd 7870 for another $150 I think. I have not looked at video card prices lately though.

 

Ps2 is a CPU intensive game although a gpu upgrade will help a bit, it won't do much.

 

Yeah, and I'm constantly CPU bottle-necked. I know I need a new Graphics Card in the near future. But as of now it still plays new games at High or Ultra settings so the little GPU that could is still fighting the good fight.

Thanks a lot for the help, guys. It seems like the Q9550 is really high-priced for what it is. My return should be closer to $500 so I'll be able to get a MOBO, CPU, and new RAM.

Maybe later in the year I'll save up enough to upgrade my GPU.