Processor or Video Card? (Upgrade)
 

I am currently using a AMD 7850 + HD3850 video card.
Just got MW2 and looking to upgrade the hardware to get the best out of the game.

I am not a hardcore gamer by any means...so I don't need something fancy or top of the line.
If i were to pick 1 thing to upgrade, should I get a better processor or better video card? (Budget wise would be around $100 for either one, but I am willing to pay abit more for a processor upgrade, maybe $150ish)

I am using a 19" monitor (1280x1024 resolution), my goal is to play the game at 1280x1024, max detail/texture, 0AA, with at least 30-60fps avg.

And does anyone know what kind of FPS i can expect with my current hardware using these settings?

it sounds like you should already be able to get max settings with those parts. 1280x1024 is pretty low res by today's standards.
if not, then just get a current mid range vid card

You can get a GTX260 for about $140, and that's a much better card than the 3850. Your processor is fine - for gaming dual-core is more than enough, especially at that speed.

if you're gunna pay 150 for a processor, save your money, cause you're most likely going to want to upgrade your mobo as well. as for video card, its thinkable, you'll get very playable results with your set up right now, imo, but there are some video cards that are pretty cheap right now that are good on performance, i recently bought a 4770hd for 120? at ncix, and i like it a lot. Now, if i were in your position, i would probably buy a new video card, and try to overclock my cpu.
just my 2 cents.

http://cyri.systemrequirementslab.com/srtest/

check that, see what it says you need. if your processor is close to being good enough I'd say overclock it a little and upgrade the cooling.

min req:
http://www.themodernwarfare2.com/mw2...-requirements/

your processor is good enough, vid card as well. mmm i think you should try it first, if you find it unplayable, then figure out what you need to upgrade, you can also add some ram if you feel its slow.

im running on almost a 4 year old comp and everything still runs somewhat smoothly on high...it's not much different than COD4 that came out 2 years ago IMO. AA turned off of course.

my driver didn't like this game and kept crashing..i had to reinstall the driver to get it running smoothly.

x1950pro 256mb + 1.86Ghz C2D + 4GB 800Mhz DDR 2 + XP Pro x86

where are they selling for 140? I always see them around 190

NCIX has them around that, during surprise specials sometimes. Right now they have a 4870 for $129, which is comparable performance. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...7&promoid=1217