Need Advice - best bang for buck?

[MSBoxer]

OK, here is my situation. My current rig is 3.5 years old and while I can play A-10c...it is far from optimal.

 

Current Specs

AMD Phenom Quad Core 2.2Ghz

ATI Radeon 3850

4 Gb

 

My FPS is rather low (14-20) and when I monitor system performance while playing I notice that my CPU is working hard (70%-80%) and my GPU is also performing in the same range.

 

At this point I can only afford 1 upgrade...Either get a new Video card or upgrade CPU to an AM2+ or an AM3.

 

Any recommendations?

[emenance]

OK, here is my situation. My current rig is 3.5 years old and while I can play A-10c...it is far from optimal.

 

Current Specs

AMD Phenom Quad Core 2.2Ghz

ATI Radeon 3850

4 Gb

 

My FPS is rather low (14-20) and when I monitor system performance while playing I notice that my CPU is working hard (70%-80%) and my GPU is also performing in the same range.

 

At this point I can only afford 1 upgrade...Either get a new Video card or upgrade CPU to an AM2+ or an AM3.

 

Any recommendations?

 

I used to run a similar set up. Both upgrades would probley require a new PSU so your really stuck. 4 years was a good run. Its time for a new one.

 

I would work on the CPU , im assuming its a q6600 or something, see if you can find someone with a board like yours that has overclocked the CPU and match those bios settings. Maybe you can run at 3.0 ghz. Should be easy.

 

Getting rid of the 3850 made a big diff. You can try and find a 4870 Dark kknight on ebay for cheap but you will need a BIG PSU to run it. Like 850-950 watts check AMD website for required specs for the cards.

 

Your in the same boat Im in but this newyear my comp will be 4 years old and Im spending the money and building a new computer. This one will make a nice new HTPC.