My cpu is driving me crazy!!!!! HELP!!!!

[Artas]

Hi everyone, I just installed a 8800gts graphic card and I have a problem with my cpu. Well, I don't know if this is a problem, anyway; the temps and noise have increased, I was expecting that, but the problem is that whenever I play, my cpu works almost or at full load 75-100%. And not only the temperature is concerning (61C), but the noise from the heatsink/fan is driving me crazy!!! I have a pentium D 820, so I know that the heatsink isn't to good; however I thought that my gpu would do most of the work while playing. Is this normal? Is this occuring because of my strong gpu? Because 6 months ago i had only a 6600 graphic card and my cpu was calmly idling while playing. Can anyone help with this one? If this isn't normal than what can I do? Help!!!!!!!

p.s. I have a hi-fi connected to my pc, but due to the cpu noise I have to use headphones......I'm suffering here, ;)

[odannyboy000]

Ya, an 8800 gts is extremely CPU intensive, so your CPU is going to have to run at full load whenever playing games. I will also mention that you are not going to see your gts's full potential because the pentium d's aren't fast enough to keep up with it's instructions. Anyway, as far as the noise goes, just buy a new (good) heatsink on newegg. I recommend zalman, its a beast but needed since D's run HOTTTTTTTTT. Too bad u didn't get a core 2 duo.

[saphalline]

Your CPU should normally be at full load while gaming. If it wasn't before, then you were running your games at too high of a res. Ie, you were GPU-limited before. And 61C under full load is about average for a PentiumD. Not at all desireable, but average.

Definitely get yourself a new HSF unit, but I don't know why you're worried about your CPU usage. While it's true that your vid card should do most of the rendering, what do you think runs the game engine and AI and all that? And what about your OS that still has to run in the background? The CPU should not sit idle during gaming - it should be busy running other things.

not going to see your gts's full potential because the pentium d's aren't fast enough to keep up with it's instructions.Not true. It depends entirely upon the game and the detail settings. A dual-core CPU is more than enough to keep up with any current vid card. It may not perform as well as a Core 2 Duo, but it will "keep up" just fine.

[Artas]

Hm.... the core 2 duo's are a little expensive; however, I'm definitively going to buy a new heatsink (did a little research and indeed, zalmans are one of the best, if not the best). Thanks for the advise :)