gaming processor

[nathanfrenk]

Hi everyone!

I wanna build a new machine, mainly for gaming, and I would like to know which CPU you guys would recommend (considering price and performance): Intel or AMD, single or dual-core, etc.

Thanks a lot

 

[Tangerines]

Either the AMD X2 3800, which is about $325, or the Opteron 146, which is about $200.

 

[nathanfrenk]

I'm sure this is a completely newbie'ish question, but what are the differences/similarities between the AMD Athlon and Opteron CPUs?
Thanks

 

[JfBrshie56]

The Opterons were designed for servers, so the word on the street is that they have better memory controllers (your RAM runs faster and more stable) and are rated for higher case temperatures, so you don't have to worry as much about high temps, if you did anyhow. I'm sure you can get a more technical--and correct answer from someone else.

The Opteron 144, 146, and 148 are extremely good overclockers, but I'll assume you weren't going to venture into that territory from your post. The X2 mentioned above has dual core (2 processors on one chip), but IMO, you won't see big gains from running a dual core cpu for gaming.

I've always liked the price/performance of AMD CPUs . . . not to mention I prefer to support Intel's competition.

 

[evilharp]

What is your budget?

Basically, AMD owns all the gaming benchmarks, so unless you absolutely have to have Intel, AMD is the way to go.

Single core chips are great for gaming, and typically outperform the equivalently priced dual core chips (dual core costs more). However, this is likely to change. nVidia and others are starting to optomize applications/drivers to take advantage of the second core, so dual-core may become the gamers choice soon.

The A64-4000+ (single core) is a fantastic chip, and it costs the same as the X2-3800+ (dual core). It runs at 2.4ghz, and offers great performance (the A64-3800+ single core runs at the same speed, but has 1/2 the cache. It costs less as well).

If you are overclocking, the situation changes quite a bit. For AMD the 939 opterons seem to be the dream chips right now. The single and dual core P4s (P-D) can overclock -BUT- they require massive cooling to do so (to prevent thermal throttling).

 

[carlosd]

not intel

 

[carlosd]

not intel

 

[Markfw]

Evilharp said it well, except that the P-D from Intel even OC'ed gets killed by the X2 in performance.

So your choices (IMO) are Opteron 146 or Opteron 170 (can't get the 165).

Also the 3200 Venice and the X2 3800 are good choices. if you can't find the above, or they are too much.