Best CPU for gaming/movie watching

eddie4221

Junior Member
Aug 27, 2009
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I'm putting a computer together, and will be doing a lot of gaming and movie watching. Any suggestions?
 

eddie4221

Junior Member
Aug 27, 2009
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betasub

Platinum Member
Mar 22, 2006
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Originally posted by: eddie4221
I'm putting a computer together, and will be doing a lot of gaming and movie watching. Any suggestions?

Total lack of detail for any helpful advice: always give a budget, and details of personal preferences, including location and currency for purchases (e.g. US). In fact, isn't there a sticky (in General Hardware) listing all the required info?

"I'm buying a car, and will be doing a lot of driving and parking. Any suggestions?"
Facetious I know, but it illustrates how vague the OP was.
 

eddie4221

Junior Member
Aug 27, 2009
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Originally posted by: betasub
Originally posted by: eddie4221
I'm putting a computer together, and will be doing a lot of gaming and movie watching. Any suggestions?

Total lack of detail for any helpful advice: always give a budget, and details of personal preferences, including location and currency for purchases (e.g. US). In fact, isn't there a sticky (in General Hardware) listing all the required info?

"I'm buying a car, and will be doing a lot of driving and parking. Any suggestions?"
Facetious I know, but it illustrates how vague the OP was.

Yeah, sorry about that. I'm looking to spend up to $250 or so, I was just kind of looking in general. I live in the USA. and I have about a total $1300 budget for a computer.
 

Arkaign

Lifer
Oct 27, 2006
20,736
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If you're going to spend ~$250/cpu in a $1300 PC .. i7 920 hands down. You can build a stomping good system for that. 6GB nice DDR3, 1TB WD Black, X58 Gigabyte, ATI 4890 or maybe a higher-end GTX card, 750W PSU, etc.
 
Nov 26, 2005
15,196
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i7 8xx series with a P55 board might be a little cheaper.. plus the next gen AMD card is around the corner... 5870, that'd be a great combo
 

heyheybooboo

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2007
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If you will be doing a bunch of encoding go for the i7 920, if not ...

Asus Crosshair 790FX AM3 / Phenom 720BE: $294

XFX Radeon HD 4870 1Gb: $145

If by gaming you mean serious gaming add a second 4870 1Gb. The 720BE will push the 2 x 4870s in Crossfire very well at 19x10. There is a combo deal with the XFX 4870 for some Corsair 2x2Gb DDR3 1600 that is on the Asus QVL list (Corsair is kinda pricy but the deal and rebate almost bring it in line but, damn, it's Corsair).

If you are more of a single-card kinda guy and want to wait out the new video cards go ahead and snag an Asus EVO AM3 785G. The IGP will push your HDTV as the price comes down on the ATI 5XXXs (but I'm guessin' that 2x4870s may well be cheaper and still kick that single card's butt .... and will suit your needs for a long time).


I found a 965BE / Asus 790FX AM3 combo for $403 but you just don't need that much jam, seriously.