Project: Maxing out Q9550 rig

[Griffin]

After trying out BS2 it became evident that my old rig can't handle the Shark anymore. Since I wouldn't want to spend alot of time and money saving and building a new rig, I'm thinking about maxing out this current one.

 

I would assume that a Q9550 still has potential for simming, especially if overclocked close to 4 GHz, right?

 

Current system specs:

 

CPU: Intel Q9550 @ 3.2 GHz

GPU: Sapphire Toxic HD 4850 512 MB

MoBo: Asus P5K (LGA775)

RAM: 4 GB DDR2 800 MHz

PSU: ModeCom 500W

OS: Windows 7 64 bit

 

Now I assume that the GPU is currently the bottleneck. It's memory is quite miserable and it's not too great anyway.

I figured that it would be the first one in upgrade list. I also figured that if I buy a new generation GPU it would also require a quality PSU (especially since the old one is of some dodgy brand) of around 600W.

Would Corsair CX600W be fine?

 

Next one would be overclocking my CPU. That would require a good cooler and after that maxing out my motherboards RAM to 8 GB.

 

Planned budget for GPU + PSU: 300 €

 

I'm not going into details yet but would want some confirmation and maybe good advice(?).

[spikenet]

why are you running x64 with only 4 gig ram?

 

Get at least another 4gig, setup a ramdisk to run your pagefile, overclock and tweek that thing. You should be able to get decent FPS, I assume your just running a single monitor?

 

I have a Q6600 @ 3gig with 6 gig ram running dual monitor (1980x2280) and runs around 20-30fps in campains with most settings on med-high. Took alot of work to get, but it is possible!

[Mustang]

Agreed it's amazing how the sim feels after going up to 8gb of RAM, after being stuck on 4gb for so long :)

[Griffin]

Heh glad I asked! Was thinking RAM would be the last in the line GPU being to bottleneck. Shouldn't I upgrade it too as I've read about huge performance improvements from people getting a GPU with lots of memory?

 

Why? Because I was cheap! :doh: Didn't really think I would stick with this rig for long but a girlfiend really screwed up my plans with simming (read 'with money' :D).

 

Ok so this first upgrade won't be as expensive as a new GPU + PSU so I'll get it ASAP.

 

Someone told me a while ago that I won't see any difference going 1066 MHz RAM instead of the current 800 MHz, is this true? Also is there any noticeable difference between high end RAM's compared to say Kingston standard memory? Remember that I plan to OC quite a bit. :)

Edited December 12, 2011 by Griffin

[sobek]

Someone told me a while ago that I won't see any difference going 1066 MHz RAM instead of the current 800 MHz, is this true? Also is there any noticeable difference between high end RAM's compared to say Kingston standard memory? Remember that I plan to OC quite a bit. :)

 

Well that depends on your mainboard. The LGA 775 socket architecture you use doesn't have an unlocked multiplier for the CPU, so to overclock, you have to increase the FSB frequency That means that everything else running on the FSB will be overclocked as well, that includes the memory, unless you change the multiplier for the memory. But in the case of my old mainboard and CPU, setting the FSB frequency to 400 (slight overclock on my e8400 from 3.0 to 3.6 GHz) meant that with the lowest multiplyer, my memory was already running at it's stock 800Mhz and it wouldn't go higher and be stable. If you know what you are doing, you can overclock the memory as well, but in my experience, you are going to need to increase the voltage pretty soon, and to overclock the memory, you need proper heatspreaders on them and good case circulation.

 

Long story short, if you buy faster memory, you are going to have more options when overclocking in the case of socket 775.

Edited December 12, 2011 by sobek

[Griffin]

Are you sure two of these would make BS2 playable again? :huh:

 

http://www.data-systems.fi/product_info/503/72005

[sobek]

I'm skeptic. It might solve some stuttering but won't do a lot for your average FPS. Getting a better g/card and OCing the CPU is what's going to bring you forward.

[Griffin]

Ok thanks guys! I think that right now I'll go with something like GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC. Do you think it would require a higher output PSU from a better manufacturer?

 

I will get the RAM as soon as possible after this one. I believe this would help the most at the moment, unless you disprove me. :)

[Rhinox]

...I'll go with something like GeForce GTX 560 Ti Twin Frozr II OC

AFAIK there are at least 3 versions of them, so pay attention to which "GTX560Ti Twin Frozr II OC" you pick:

 

A: 1GB/GDDR5, 384 stream-units, 64 texture-units

B: 2GB/GDDR5, 384 stream-units, 64 texture-units

C: 1.25GB/GDDR5, 448 stream-units, 56 texture-units

[Griffin]

Getting the A.

 

http://www.jimms.fi/tuote/N560GTX-TI-TF-II%2FOC

 

Thanks for info :)

 

Still no conserns about my current dodgy PSU?

[Pilotasso]

Had my Q9550 @ 3.4GHZ stable for 2 years with FSB on 400 using a P5K deluxe. You need good ventilation on the mosfets thought. Its gets pretty hot. An SDD helped alot more than the switch I made from an 9800GX2 to a GTX 470, or the upgrade from 4GB to 8. You can get a second Gen SSD for lower prices and even though 2nd gen sounds old its such a massive boost of smoothness against the HDD itll cry for mercy.

 

I had a Vertex2 120GB and I have a V3 240GB now. The latter loads faster but once ingame they are both equally smooth.

 

 

On the other hand with all these upgrades you might as well go for a cheap Sandy bridge system instead. The Q9550 can only go so far and ED already annouced a few more products down the pipeline that will over-strech it.

 

Think H61 MOBO plus a 2000 Series I5's (being the 2500K the best bang for the buck). You might have to sacrifice the SSD to keep it on budget though.

Edited December 12, 2011 by Pilotasso

[spikenet]

Just remember that the DCS games are CPU bound, chucking in a monster GPU will not solve your FPS problems!

 

I'd get the ram first and tweek the system before dropping $$ on a GPU

[Rhinox]

Just remember that the DCS games are CPU bound, chucking in a monster GPU will not solve your FPS problems!

It depends on your settings. My HD6970 runs 100% all the time while playing A10C. I tried to overclock my cpu a little higher but I did not get a single fps more.

 

On the other side, in LO:FC it is never loaded higher than on 50%, even with every possible setting on max/full...

[sobek]

It depends on your settings. My HD6970 runs 100% all the time while playing A10C.

 

Do you run a multi monitor setup and high AA settings?

[Rhinox]

Single LCD 1920x1080, default AA/AF (application controlled)...

[galagamo]

It depends on your settings. My HD6970 runs 100% all the time while playing A10C.

You might check in X:\Program Files\Eagle Dynamics\DCS A-10C\Config/graphics.CFG line 373 "Max FPS =" I think it defaults to 120FPS unless your using 3D you don't want that, 30 or 60FPS would do and prevent GPU strain.

[Griffin]

I was planning to upgrade this rig as far as it goes and then later dump it for a completely new one if I have the money. However alot of the technology is transferable so I'll make this a longer term full system overhaul as Pilotasso suggested.

 

So this will be a two part project:

1. Max out Q9550 rig as planned.

2. Tech transfer to Sandy Bridge system.

 

I will span out the purchases over one year for starters and buy perhaps one component every month, if budget permits, during next six months. After six months the current rig should be maxed out and I will start a 6 month saving and planning period for tech transfer. I believe everything except motherboard, RAM and CPU are transferable to the future system so I will save and buy those in one chunk in one year from now.

 

I'll outline the first part plan with component examples:

 

CPU: Intel Q9550 @ 3.2 GHz ---> 3.5-4.0 GHz with a high performance cooler, for ex. Noctua NH-D14

GPU: Sapphire Toxic HD 4850 512 MB ---> For ex. GTX560Ti Twin Frozr II OC 1 GB

MoBo: Asus P5K (LGA775)

RAM: 4 GB DDR2 800 MHz ---> 8 GB DDR2 1066 MHz

PSU: ModeCom 500W ---> For ex. Corsair CX600W V2

HD: Add an SSD to the system for ex. Crucial M4 128 GB

(DVD drive will propably get replaced too)

 

So now I have to find out two things.

Where should I start (ie. which component is in the biggest need of upgrade/what would benefit simming the most)?

Is 600 W PSU enough for the future Sandy Bridge system running single GPU?

 

Thanks guys! You are alot of help. :)

[Kuky]

Just remember that the DCS games are CPU bound, chucking in a monster GPU will not solve your FPS problems!

 

I'd get the ram first and tweek the system before dropping $$ on a GPU

 

Actually with DCS series as of late with more graphics features there are quite a few cases where CPU is no longer the bottleneck. Right now to run the sim at its best you need both top end CPU (preferably overclocked) and Graphics card :pilotfly:

[Kuky]

Griffin, I would suggest you go for 800W PSU straight away, it'll future proof the system and also you get best eficiency from PSu when it's runnig at about 50-75% load (some better units extend this range but they cost more).

 

For you I think best start is getting RAM and graphics card, and change that PSU at the same time. When you have money later change the mobo/CPU but that will most likely mean changing system RAM again (LGA775 uses DDR2 while sandy bridge use DDR3, and then again just to make things more complicated some motherboards have dual channel, some have tripple, and latest have quad channel)

 

Also if you change to SSD you will notice the difference (but in loading times only) regardless if you chuck it in existing system or new one

[Rhinox]

Actually with DCS series as of late with more graphics features there are quite a few cases where CPU is no longer the bottleneck. :pilotfly:

True. For me (i5-2500k@4.6GHz, HD6950->6970) cpu is bottleneck in LO:FC, but gpu in DCS:A10C. But it also depends on settings, i.e. increasing AA/AF puts higher demand on GPU, but "civilian traffic" takes som extra CPU-time...

[Griffin]

For you I think best start is getting RAM and graphics card, and change that PSU at the same time.

Thanks :) I will do that. Propably RAM first as it's the only component that will become useless with the new mobo so I'll get most out of it if I buy it early. Next month I might buy the GPU or save two months and buy it with PSU at the same time. One component a month.

When you have money later change the mobo/CPU but that will most likely mean changing system RAM again (LGA775 uses DDR2 while sandy bridge use DDR3, and then again just to make things more complicated some motherboards have dual channel, some have tripple, and latest have quad channel)

I'm aware of that and that's why I won't stress myself with it yet. I'll consentrate on this rig for 6 months and start thinking Sandy Bridge after that. :)

[Kuky]

FYI, I just read on few forums that the HD7000 series card is announced to be released on 9th Jan 2012, this is what I will be getting and I can't wait for it!

Edited December 13, 2011 by Kuky
stupid wireless keyboard missing keystrokes

[spikenet]

what sort of framerate are you getting currently?

 

I just got an SSD today and have to admit, its pretty awesome!

 

Did some more tweeking on my setup Q6600@3.1 and very satisfied now, this old girl can actually play this game ok, around 25fps average. Just takes alot of work to get it happening!

I'm regretting pulling the trigger on a sandy bridge upgrade last week now.. oh well, to late to cancel the order now.

 

cheers

[sobek]

I'm aware of that and that's why I won't stress myself with it yet. I'll consentrate on this rig for 6 months and start thinking Sandy Bridge after that. :)

 

By that time, Ivy Bridge might be an option (but that's not a problem, it will use the same socket as Sandy Bridge).

Edited December 13, 2011 by sobek

[Griffin]

what sort of framerate are you getting currently?

 

I just got an SSD today and have to admit, its pretty awesome!

 

Did some more tweeking on my setup Q6600@3.1 and very satisfied now, this old girl can actually play this game ok, around 25fps average. Just takes alot of work to get it happening!

I'm regretting pulling the trigger on a sandy bridge upgrade last week now.. oh well, to late to cancel the order now.

 

cheers

 

Wow that's very impressive! You have 2 gigs more of RAM and propably a better GPU than me but that is still so much better!

On the insurgent hideout quick start mission I get barely max 20 FPS most of the settings at medium/low. This is crushing compared to BS1 where I had settings at medium/high and it looked good and ran great! Quite a surprise there. :(