Question about CPU's

Im currently running a slow 3.2GHz p4 Single Core Hyper Thread lga775 and was looking at upgrading to an e7400 (2.8GHz dual core) cpu. I have noticed that on certain games I have require a Dual core 2.0 (ghostbusters and Gta4), but my single core can play them ok with some hiccups.

With this upgrade help me out on these games, my gfx card is only an 8600gts, which i will upgrade less than a month to an 9800gtx. I play these games linked to my regular TV using S-Video (was told with S video of max resolution of 640X480) and the new gfx card running Component Video to get the 480i resolution, benefit the anti aliasing and up the details (shadowing and overall details to high)?

honestly to get better performance than a 3.2 P4 you dont have to spend much money...from my own testing a 1.8ghz core-based celeron will often best the P4s..so you really might want to consider spending less money on the cpu and gpu and and put the difference towards a good monitor or perhaps even a cheaper 720p LCD tv...I often see sub 32" models selling for around $300.

The new e3200 dual core celeron is what I would suggest. This 2.4ghz cpu is based on the 45nm wolfdale core used on the e7400, but you can see some of the differences here. Basically you are looking at lower clock speed, lower bus speed, and less cache. Or even the e5200 will get you big performance gains while still saving you about $50. Not to mention what these chips can do with a bit of overclocking

Upgrading to an 9800 GTX really isnt going to do much at 640x480 though, even at 720x480 you wont be letting that card do its thing. I would once again suggest a cheaper card and investing the difference in a new display. A 19" Samsung 720p LCD such as this one is only $220, and if you go save $50 with a cheaper chip and go with a cheaper graphics card, like a 4670 and you'll have saved another $100, which puts you well on your way to that LCD tv. Not to mention the TV and the card both offer full HDMI compliance, so you will have much easier routing of cables..hell ill send ya an HDMI cable if that'll seal the deal

You will benefit FAR more by running a higher resolution than you will ever by bumping up the AA and AF on a much lower resolution. Its not just a matter of AA and AF because with such a low resolution you will still be forced to use compressed textures and its just going to look ugly. By looking at components above, instead of spending $300 on a new card and chip that you really wont be able to fully utilize with your existing set up, you can spend $320-$350 and get a FAR better set up.

And on a note of "recommended cpu" specs on games...its really a non issue and something they cant really measure by todays standards. A modern 2ghz chip will be FAR faster than an older P4 at twice that speed. If your current chip does well enough, a new chip will only make things better when the cpu is a limiting factor.

May I ask why you want to have it on a tv???

okay. Im never sold on a 120Hz or 720p tv. Plus why waste $300 on a dinky 19" Tv, when i play games 6 ft. away from TV. I think i will enjoy the same music, storyline, and funfactor as a gtx280 player. I dont rely on games just for graphics.

far as the CPU goes. Yeah! ill look into those you mentioned. Thanks for the heads up. What got me thinking is that e5200 is only $15 less than an e7400 and both compatible with my Asus board. Im not looking into OC'ing, I want this CPU to last at least 3 years. I was reading about how on some games like Call of Duty 4 that require only a 2.4Ghz single core to run. So if I had a dual core 2.8, only 1 core will be doing the work, while the other just kinda hangs around to do like Time display and I have internet at XXXMB p/s?

for the graphics card, its not just resolution and AA. I want it just to not have any hiccups during gameplay. I understand the 9800gtx is designed for higher graphics and anti-aliasing, I notice the AA on my TV display for COD4 with 4x. I also want to have the settings to high, but understand i can only get a 480i max on a standard TV and will take the loss for now.

your right though.

I have been researching video cards, huge Nvidia fanatic, but Ati does offer more bang for the buck. I was looking at a Radeon HD 4770 or even a 3850 should be fine. Mainly looking at Clock speed MHz and bit size. Anything over 620MHz clock is decent for my TV and 256bit will suffice my needs on a TV.

The 8600gt is great for video, according to tigerdirect.com, but not for gaming unless you SLI it and it would run about 11-15more FPS than an 8800gtX. Then again, another video card.

For as the CPU processor goes, im sold on this e6300 2.8Dual Core Wolfdale. Read lots of reviews through new egg. They all claim best bargain for its price. Although, a Core 2 Duo would be more of a gamers need to play some of these genre games, but they claim that there is not much compared on Core 2 Duo and Dual Core, just technical about Bit processing.

I think i will go with for now to better my gaming and for a future TV in mind or a 22" LCD monitor, a BFG Geforce gts250 OC 1 GB edition. That way, once i get a newer, more up to date monitor/TV, the resolution will be worth it. Even though they claim the 9800gtx and gts250 are very alike.