Can Legacy Dual-Core CPUs Drive Modern Graphics Cards?

[wraggster]

A few weeks back, we discussed (http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/01/24/235243/can-a-new-gpu-rejuvenate-a-5-year-old-gaming-pc) whether a new GPU like the GeForce GTX 660 could breathe new life into an older quad-core gaming system built in mid 2008. The answer concluded was definitely yes — but many readers asked to reconsider the question, this time using a lower-end dual-core (http://hothardware.com/Reviews/GPU-Redux-Can-Old-DualCores-Drive-A-Modern-Graphics-Card/) Core 2 Duo. The Core 2 Duo CPU chip used was a first-generation C2D part based on Intel's 65nm Conroe core. It's clocked at 3GHz with 4MB of L2 cache and has a 1333MHz FSB. The CPU was paired with 3GB of DDR2-1066 memory. The long and short of it is, you can upgrade the graphics card on a six year-old dual core machine and expect to see a noticeable improvement in game performance — significant gains in fact, up to 50 percent or more."
http://games.slashdot.org/story/13/02/08/2156215/can-legacy-dual-core-cpus-drive-modern-graphics-cards