CPU Bottleneck?

[micfau1091]

Ok, right now I'm working with a AMD 64 3000+, 1024 MB...and an X700 256MB that I would like to maybe upgrade to a x1600 xt...unless you guys have a better card that would match up well with my system...and I would like to stick with ATI unless its a 50$+ difference for the same quality of card from nvidia.

Thanks in advance guys

[edit]
btw...PCI Express 16x is the slot

[edit 2]
I just realized that I didn't really ask the question...would that x1600xt be way to powerful for my cpu?

[#43 fan]

Well, if you can afford it, the 7600GT is a great card, a lot better than the x1600XT.

[the dude]

There's no such thing as too powerful for your cpu, sure your cpu will bottleneck the vid card, but you will see an immense difference between your current vid card and an x1600xt. I have the same processor and just bought a 7900gt. There's no point in buying a lower quality graphics card that will "match" your processor just so it will not be bottleneck'd. I say stick with the processor and get a nice vid card in there, then upgrade the processor when you can. That's my plan anyways.

[micfau1091]

Thanks for your guys' input...I was just afraid of shelling out 300$ on an uber card, when I wont see a difference if I bought a 150$ card because of my cpu. I will check out prices on the 7600gt, but the ati-fanboy in me begs me to buy an ati, so if I can separate from that then I may get that. :P Thanks again

[RamonGTP]

I like ATI too... I own a 1900XTX but I also own a 7600GT and I must say it is a great card. I do not believe ATI has anything in their lineup that can match the 7600GT's performance, not for a lot more $$$ anyway.

[#43 fan]

What Ramon said. The 7600GT is a great card.
Alothough, a friend of mine overclocked his x1600pro 512MB and it works very well. Benchmarked high, and BF2 flys.

[micfau1091]

Thanks guys . I think you guys have switched me to Nvidia, at least this time :P..I think I'll go with this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150140 ..unless you can find a better one from newegg?

Thanks for your help and to anyone else who posts, thanks in advance .