I need to update the GPU in an older computer (amd athlon 4200 x2) and heard that a superfast new GPU might no live up to it’s potential due to the slow CPU.
This probaly also depends on how CPU bound my synth is, but is there a rule of thumb which GPU would make sense for such an old system?
Can’t really answer the question about the older CPU vs new graphics card. But, I can answer the power supply. I have 500w supplies in my systems and then power a quad core, 1 hard drive, 4 GB of RAM and a GTX 275 no problem. I have a UPS with a power draw display and it shows my total power draw being about 230 watts for 1 system.
Nah there’s no rule of thumb. As you said it’s entirely dependent on how CPU bound your system is. A older CPU can make use of the highest end GPU, if the shaders are heavy enough.