For strictly gaming, FX-series CPU or X2?

[Fraggable]

My desktop gaming system is in need of a CPU upgrade. I'm trying to figure out if I'd be better off with a FX-53 or a X2 3800 or 4200.

I know FX's normally are faster, because most games are coded for single threads, but I also know that games and drivers are getting better about utilizing dual cores.

I don't have any use for dual cores as far as multitasking or encoding video or anything like that. This system is designed to be as fast as possible in games like BF2, AOE3, Far Cry, HL2, and similar.

So, in your opinion, should I get an FX-53 to last me until my next upgrade which will probably be AM2, or get a low end X2?

 

[F1shF4t]

Dual core is the way to go, it good for gaming as everything in the background like virus scan does not impact the game. And i noticed that when i got the dually everything even games were much smoother to play so much less lag.

So i recon go for a dually, get a 3800+ x2 and overclock it, if ur lucky u can get a good chip which will be able to do 2.6 - 2.7 stock volatage, otherwise even duds nowday get to like 2.4ghz with slight voltage boost.

 

[CP5670]

In general, the improvement you'll get with a new processor will be very marginal in games. A dual core is useful if you want to run a lot of stuff in the background while playing games, but otherwise just overclock that 3000 you have and save the money towards a new video card instead. It should hit at least 2.4ghz pretty easily.

 

[Markbnj]

Die thread, die .

 

[Fraggable]

Originally posted by: Markbnj
Die thread, die .

Thanks.

I haven't had much luck OCing this thing, I think having 4 X 512MB sticks of ram is limiting what I can do with it. I'll have to play around a bit with my new board's BIOS to find out how far it can really go, but I haven't had much time to spend on it. I'd rather leave whatever CPU I have at stock.

I just got done reading some CPU reviews over at Hardocp.com and they concluded that you're better off spending for speed ratehr than cores. I'm leaning towards the FX series because it doesn't look like there's going to be any dual-core minded games coming out anytime soon.

 

[Hauk]

Dual core sounds great. But like you, I do no multitasking. Nothing in the background when I'm gaming. Can't justify an upgrade till AM2, not when my 3700+ San Diego will do 2.6 with ease. If you're considering an FX53, you should consider saving huge amounts of cash:

3700+ San Diego

Okay, die thread die...

 

[ForumMaster]

don't matter anymore. after all, the AMD Athlon FX-60 is nothing more then a slighlty OC'ed 4800 X2 with the multipliers unlocked.