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    CPU to optimize an Nvidia GTX 260M

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by greatertyler, May 5, 2009.

  1. greatertyler

    greatertyler Notebook Enthusiast

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    Been looking at laptops for a while and wondered, with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 260M video card and 4.0 GB of DDR3 RAM running on a 64-bit OS, what kind of CPU could run that well without wasted performance power? I ask because my budget recently limited me from upgrading to an Intel "Montevina" P9600 2.66 GHz from an Intel "Montevina" P8700 2.53 GHz processor and I'm not sure if I'd be optimizing that video card, or if I should go with a less powerful one.

    Thanks,
    Tyler
     
    greatertyler, May 5, 2009
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  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    As long as the CPU and GPU are in the same ballpark, it's fine. There's no such thing as perfectly "optimizing" a CPU and GPU. Some programs will be CPU bottlenecked and some GPU bottlenecked. Unless your CPU and GPU are generations apart, one will not hold back the other in all aspects.
     
    Lithus, May 5, 2009
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  3. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Depends what games you play. Even a P8400 would be enough to play games that require mostly GPU power.
     
    sgogeta4, May 5, 2009
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  4. greatertyler

    greatertyler Notebook Enthusiast

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    How can you tell a game that requires GPU power from one for CPU power? Just out of curiosity. And with current gen games, Would a 2.53 GHz processor do the job well?
     
    greatertyler, May 5, 2009
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  5. Melody

    Melody How's It Made Addict

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    Games that require many calculations are CPU bound. Usually RTS games and simulators fall into this category, but there is the rare exception like GTA4(which has lots of open physic environments to calculate).

    If you want a ballpark figure, a 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo is perceived as being generally adequate for most gaming.

    However, anything above 2.4GHz IMO should secure the playing field for now and a few generations.
     
    Melody, May 5, 2009
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