are dual-cores worth it for moderate gaming?

[nageov3t]

I'm in the midst of building a new pc, since my current one has been giving me some problems (mostly video card related, but if I'm buying a new video card, I may as well buy a PCI-express card, which means a new motherboard, etc)... I'm going with a socket 775 motherboard (decided to give intel a chance after 8 years on amd), but my dilema right now, though, is between either a dual-core 1.8-2.2 cpu versus a single core 3.0+ cpu.

are the benefits of dual core strong enough to be worth the extra cost over a faster single core cpu?

 

[deadseasquirrel]

The benefits of dual-core when it comes to gaming are up for debate. Some games yes, some no. Depends on the game, depends on the resolution/settings, etc.

However, even if no single game now or in the future took advantage of multiple cores, there really is no point in buying a single-core cpu these days. They are very inexpensive, and the C2Ds overclock like crazy. AMD has also just announced an en-of-life on all of their single-core lineup.

 

[daveybrat]

And if you stick it out till tomorrow, AMD has big price cuts coming (even though i saw you want intel)

A 4000+ X2 will be $69!

 

[covert24]

amd is cutting prices tomorrow?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like ima have to buy my system early F Intel with there 165 dollar 1.8ghz proc

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: daveybrat
And if you stick it out till tomorrow, AMD has big price cuts coming (even though i saw you want intel)

A 4000+ X2 will be $69!

I don't particularly "want" intel... I just thought it might be a nice change after using amd for so long.

but if they're cutting prices tomorrow, I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

 

[Noema]

Even if no current games use dual cores, they are so cheap these days that I see no use in getting a single core processor today.

And your overall computer experience feels much snappier. Even goofing around in Windows feels nicer; you don't have to wait as much for apps to stop hogging your processor.

 

[soonerproud]

C2D's beat all single cores in games even if the other core is not used due to a better architecture. I would go with a C2D over any AMD if gaming was my only concern because the C2D is very overclockable and it beats the AMD processors slightly in the gaming department.

 

[MarcVenice]

Erm, I thought AMD's were usually up to par in games with C2D's ? And if he isn't overclocking, a 169$ x2 6000+ sounds like a HELL of a bargain to me. BTW, there are some c2d single core processors, but really, they get beaten by the e4300, so you should really spend at least 110$ or so on the CPU. If you're not overclocking though, I could suggest a 80$ am2+ mobo, for future AMD cpu's, and a x2 5000+ or so.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: covert24
amd is cutting prices tomorrow?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like ima have to buy my system early F Intel with there 165 dollar 3ghz proc

fixed