Processor or Graphics?

Bamber19

The process of getting a new computer has lasted longer than i'd hope and i'm now having to put it off for a month so that it doesn't come just before exams and i end up wasting my time playing computer games instead of revising...however when it does happen i've came to a dilemma, i've pretty much decided the full system i want but want some advice over two components

Option 1 is a core 2 duo E6420 (2.13Ghz) + Nvidia GTS 640Mb

Option 2 is a core 2 duo E6600 (2.4Ghz) + Nvidia GTS 320Mb

Financially i can't really stretch to the better processor and better graphics card.

Option 1 with the lesser processor and the superior graphics card is £55 more expensive so what one will give the better performance?

ormus

im not well up on the latest games, but what/which games require 640mb of video memory?

i would get the faster cpu.

banger9365

well the 8800gts 640 is good and the 8800gts 320 have you looked at the 8600gts cards they arre has good has the 7900/7950 cards put with DX10 support and cheaper and if your motherboard can us them in SLI get two for @ the same has a 8800gts 320.you would be between 8800gts 640 card and 8800gts 320 in sli i think apart from only having 256MB gpu ram
i would go for the C2D E6600 (nice overclocker),.
i would wait a month or two has the ATI R600 card's mite start showing up;)
one more thing i do not now off any 8800 or lesser card that works right yet with nvidia drivers for vista32/64 or the new nvidia drivers in XP.
do not forget you need a very good psu to run them cards right

f1charlie

I would think it depends where you want the performance - photo/video editing, office applications (better CPU) or games (better graphics card)?

Also it would be easier to change a graphics card if you wanted to upgrade later.