[c0re2]

I am running an overclocked Q9650 at 1800 FSB, ddr2 900 5-5-5-15, pushing 2 Sapphire toxic 6950s in crossfire running the 6970 bios. Running Dirt3 at 2560x1600, Ultra settings, 8X MSAA, VSync On I get

average av_fps_ms="16.089470" min_fps_ms="16.862392" av_fps="62.152451" min_fps="59.303566. CPU usage is around the 70-80% mark, 100%while loading. Am I am bottlenecked by the CPU or not? Interestingly running this at lower settings (1920x1080 no vsync I get 90% CPU usage).

Statistics
Average FPS: 62
MIN FPS: 59
CPU Usage: around 70-80%
System memory usage: 50%
GPU usage: 80-85%

Graphics Settings
Video Mode: 2560 x 1600 (60 Hz)
Ultra Settings
8X MXAA



I read a previous thread comparing the 4.05 ghz Q9650 with a similarly overclocked i2500k and the FPS were comparable across CPUs in other games.

 

[Lazloisdavrock]

No. And there is strange Cpu usage in that game in dx11. Some tracks Cpu usage is at 30% or so, and others are almost maxing me out. It did the same with my q9550 rig.

 

[c0re2]

Thanks for clarifying. I have been heavily debating upgrading to the 3930k but don't want to if my Q9650 is not bottlenecking.

I think the weird cpu usage has something to do with the way codemasters code their games. I also run F1 2011 and I can never get past 50 FPS, GPU usage is at 50% each GPU, CPU at 60-70% as well. I know there were crossfire issues with AMD's drivers in f1 2011 but that was supposed to be fixed with the last release in Dec.

 

[Mattb2e]

You shouldnt be bottlenecked with your rig, if you did upgrade you would however yield an improvement. Your minimum frame rates will improve, and your max should improve slightly as well. If you were to go for a 3930k, I would hold out a while longer for the pricing to come down, potentially after Ivy Bridge comes out. I however have not heard any rumors of price cuts on any Intel products quite yet.

 

[bleachigo]

If you game at that resolution and those settings,your setup will last you quite a while.Now how about a BF3 test

 

[c0re2]

I just did pony up almost $900 upgrading my current X48 rig 2 months ago, 2x160 gb Intel 320 SSDs in raid0, the 2 radeon 6950s etc, so if I didn't have to spend the extra cash to upgrade to the 3930k I'd rather not. That said, I do have a chance to buy a 3930k at Intel EPP (about $320 with tax and shipping) from someone I know so I am tempted.

Maybe I can move the 9650, x48 board and memory to my wife's machine (Powercolor 6850 + Intel Q9450 o.c to 3.33 ghz on a P43 chipset is her current system) and get the 3930k for myself.

No BF3 tests unfortunately, I just play racing games (F1, N4S, Dirt etc). With FPS games I get dizzy for some reason. Sold 2 copies of BF3 on ebay for 50 bucks

 

[Hacksword]

you should check out trackmania and trackmania 2 as well... they are both awesome.

 

[c0re2]

About a $1000 later, thought I would update this thread with some results in case anybody was still curious.

I finally did make the transition from my Q9650 to the Core i7 3930k. Setup is an ASRock Extreme6 board paired with 16 gb of GSkill DDR3 2133 memory. I have retained the same 750W PSU and TRUE cooler (not enough for overclocking) for now.

Dirt3 showed absolutely NO difference in Avg FPS at 61 compared to the 4.05 ghz Q9650. Minimum improved slightly (build is down right now to reapply TIM).

F1-2011 did however show a 33.3% increase in Avg FPS, from 45 to 60. However even at stock 3.2 ghz, the 3930k registered roughly 25% CPU usage, while the Q9650 was around 85%.

The Q9650 and Asus Rampage went into the S.O's pc, replacing her overclocked Q9450, which went to my 5 year old