Fair to middling CPU's

[Applewack]

So first off, I am new and quite a bit otu of date as far as computing goes. Been buried in grad school for too long. But now I am out, and have some time to play some games, and I want to try and build my first computer. (If this is the wrong forum to ask some of these questions, please feel free to roast me, just send me to the right place afterwards).

What I am looking for is a good processor that will nicely run most of the new graphics out there, i.e. WOW, or Half life 2, or quake, etc... without any problem, but not be over the top. Looking at the different processors out there it looks like the Pentium Duals and the new AMD's are top of the line, but are they really necessary to get great graphics? I know a lot of people are running lots of calculations and quoting stats that the naked eye can't see, but what do I need to fun most games and video editing software for say, the next two to three years worth of software, versus being the biggest processor on the block?

Also, what are the keys to look for to matching this with a motherboard? I assume PCI is a must? (I am not totally clear on what PCI is, but I gather from my reading it is the way of the future). I guess a good how to build a PC thread would answer most of these questions, is there such a thread? I have not been able to find it. If there is none, lets start one

 

[n7]

X2 3800+ (That's AMD's cheapest 64-bit dual core processor, unless you count the Opteron 165, which isn't available anymore, AFAIK)

It's fast, & for pretty much anything video editting/encoding related, the software is multithreaded, meaning things are a lot faster & smoother with a dual core.
Also, more & more programs will be developed for dual cores, it's only a matter of time.

Now as for PCI, no...
You're getting PCI confused with PCI-e (PCI Express).
It provides much better bandwidth than AGP/PCI, which helps for everything from new video cards (though maybe not so much yet) to onboard gigabit ethernet.

 

[themusgrat]

PCI Express (pcie), not PCI, is the direction of current hardware. Any DFI nForce 4 motherboard is good for overclocking, and you should know that AMD processors, especially with the recent steppings, outperform the Intels at every consumer level (aka under $1000). I would get the AMD 3800 X2, because it gives great performance, will be able to do 64-bit (currently all games are 32-bit, but the market is slowly moving that way), it will be able to run dual threaded apps, if they ever ccome out, is great with multitasking, can be reasonably overclocked, and it is basically, if you had to narrow it down to one, the most cost-effective proc with advanced features.

 

[themusgrat]

Good post, I was writing as you were posting.

 

[phaxmohdem]

I'd recommend a Dual Core AMD X2 3800+ as well IF you are planning on keeping this system relatively unchanged for 2-3 years or longer. If gaming is your primary concern for a computer at this stage, and your budget is small, Find a Single Core Socket 939 Athlon64 at 2.2GHz or above. (3500+ for example would be a good middle ground chip) My main rig, (in my signature) is a single core 2.2GHz (Well 2.4 now) AMD 64 chip, and I do quite a bit of video editing on it. It is plenty fast for both gaming and the occasional video editng session. Are there faster chips on the block for gaming and video editing? Of course, but you can get the job done with less hardware than you'd probably think, or be led to believe by people here on these forums even.

Again, my recommendation IF POSSIBLE: AMD X2 3800+ or Opteron 165(If you can find one). (You won't regret doing the dual core thing)
-OR- A single Core Socket 939 Athlon64 CPU 2.2gHz or above(3500+ or 3800+)