Intel Duo/ Quad or AMD CPU for Gaming?

[Herbo13]

Hello Everyone.I'm working on my first computer build. I'm planning on building a decent gaming rig in the budget of AROUND $1000 W/ Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit and the ability to play Fallout 3 and The Sims 3 (and TS2) at max settings smoothly. I've decided against the AMD processors, but I was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on which Intel CPU I should choose for this. I've narrowed it down to:

Intel Quad Q6600: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115017

OR

Intel Duo E8400: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037

OR

Intel Duo E8500: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115036

Does anyone have any input on these? I want the rig to be "good" for awhile and I was planning on playing around with OC'ing the CPU. Any preference on Quad vs. Duo or which make? Or is there a processor out there that I missed which has better Bang for the Buck? Thank in advance All!!
Jeff
PS Any shopping suggestions besides NewEgg?

 

[BTRY B 529th FA BN]

You can buy an E8400 and hope for an E0 stepping which easily overclocks to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages...

 

[Flipped Gazelle]

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
You can buy an E8400 and hope for an E0 stepping which easily overclocks to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages...

I'd go for the E8400 also. However, the whole "easily overclocks to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages" is just not accurate. You can never count on that large of an overclock.

 

[OCGuy]

Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle

Originally posted by: BTRY B 529th FA BN
You can buy an E8400 and hope for an E0 stepping which easily overclocks to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages...

I'd go for the E8400 also. However, the whole "easily overclocks to 4Ghz on air and stock voltages" is just not accurate. You can never count on that large of an overclock.

Winner.


E8400 is the way to go. 4ghz should be "easy", but never listen to voltage suggestions from anybody. Every chip/mobo is different.

 

[Idontcare]

I wholly suggest not taking the voltage above 2.5V.

But there are some posters who would have you be inclined to not listen to my suggestion.

 

[Martimus]

Vista Home Premium 64 is only 79.99 at Microcenter right now. (I just picked it up at that price on Wednesday)

I just built a system around a Q9550, an ASUS P5Q Pro, 8BG of DDR800 RAM, and a HD 4870 for less than $1000 (Including the above operating system). I don't think you will have any problems building a system with the components you have listed and staying on budget. At the same time, my budget did not include a monitor, but did include everything else needed to run the computer.

 

[Tempered81]

I'd get the E8500

 

[Herbo13]

Wow, Thanks for all input everyone. I think I'm just gonna go for the e8400 for now... unless I find a deal on the e8500 somewhere. Thanks again!!!