CPU/Processors...?

[Shintru531]

What would be the best CPU/Processor to play games online like Counter-Strike???

 

[takiwa]

the cpu would be the last consideration in that situation. Anything over 500Mhz would be fine. Your major concerns would be RAM, video card and internet connection speed (512MB RAM, GF4 Ti4600 and DSL/Cable or higher would be nice )...

 

[Actaeon]

I'd say, a 1Ghz cpu, and at least a GF2 GTS should give 99fps constantly at 1024x768 in CS. 256 or 512 mb of ram is fine.

 

[Actaeon]

Ah, i forgot to answer your question , As far as the Best CPU?

Easily an overclocked 2.53ghz Pentium 4, or an AthlonXP2200+

I figure its kinda simple...

Faster CPU = Better.
Fastest CPU = Best.

 

[mechBgon]

What can you tell us about your present system, Shintru531? Maybe it could be upgraded without needing a full replacement.

 

[jaybee]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
What can you tell us about your present system, Shintru531? Maybe it could be upgraded without needing a full replacement.

Exactly. Also, would this system be new or used? My advice for a new system (AMD or Intel): buy fast memory (Samsung "true" PC2700 or Corsair XMS3200) and a solid mobo with a recent chipset. Go with a mid-range cpu and upgrade down the road. Fast memory will ensure that doesn't become a bottleneck, and you shouldn't have any problem swapping cpus.

jaybee

PS didn't hear a budget...

 

[Shintru531]

I have a Pentium III 866Mhz, 256 SDRAM, Geforce 3 Ti 200.

I was planning on upgrading from a Pentium III to a Pentium 4 or an AMD Athlon XP...I dont know which one to get...

I am also planning on getting atleast 512MB DDR RAM and a Seagate 60GB HDD.

I am going to stay with the Geforce 3 and the rest of the stuff that I have now for the most part.

 

[snow patrol]

Your current system is fine for counterstrike, although obviously a new system will do everything quicker. I'd go with a 1.8ghz P4 (which you'll be able to overclock to 2.4 easily unless you're unlucky). Are you set on DDR or might you consider RAMBUS? Also, why seagate for the hard drive (not that there's anything wrong with them )

 

[mechBgon]

If you do get a 1.8GHz P4, make sure to get the 1.8A, which has the better Northwood core with 512kb L2 cache instead of 256kb. It is faster because of the extra cache, and it overclocks better.

 

[snow patrol]

oops, yeah forgot to mention that

 

[jaybee]

Originally posted by: Shintru531
I have a Pentium III 866Mhz, 256 SDRAM, Geforce 3 Ti 200.

I was planning on upgrading from a Pentium III to a Pentium 4 or an AMD Athlon XP...I dont know which one to get...

I am also planning on getting atleast 512MB DDR RAM and a Seagate 60GB HDD.

I am going to stay with the Geforce 3 and the rest of the stuff that I have now for the most part.

Go for the P4. That architecture has the most headroom. Prescott will likely be pin-compatible (with current P4's), while Hammer certainly will not be compatible with the current Athlon architecture. So if you purchase an XP now, you won't be able to increase performance as much by simply swapping cpus.

jaybee