Top - Middle - Lower Level AMD Gaming CPU

[CTREagleScout]

For my first post I hope I don't get flamed, because this could be a very simple question for most of you.

What I am looking for is the best CPU for each level (high end, midrange, & low end). I am extremely interested in 64bit AMD, but I have no idea if these are worth the money for a gaming rig. Also, I would like to stay in the AMD arena, however I would gladely take any feedback on the Pentium's.

Second queston:

Am I allowed to ask other questions about what the best kind of memory, hard drive setup, PSU's, MoBo, etc... If I'm not then just say so, I'll post in the other forums. I know what I like but that doesn't mean it's the best.

Again this is for a GAMING RIG only!!!

Thank you guys/gals so much for you feedback.

Take care,
Eagle

 

[imported_RobJ]

It depends on who you are. If you're a student who doesn't have a lot of money, a 3200+ may be high end to you. If you have more cash, then technically the fx-53 is high end. Mid range is the 3400-3500 processors. To me, the 3700 and 3800 are too high a price hike to justify a simple 200 mHz increase in frequency, which you can probably overclock on your own, so i wouldn't consider them unless you don't want to even consider overlcocking.

 

[Badut78]

Hi Eagle. Anandtech has some pretty good guides for low/medium/high end systems. www.anandtech.com/guides

I've built myself a budget system based on the anandtech guides with some modifications for personal preferences

 

[540mb]

CTREagle, what is your budget for high, mid, and low? High range can be dual opterons for some and 3800 for others. More info would be good. Also what is the budget on the other stuff?

 

[Markfw]

Quick response, gut feeling: XP2500 low end, Athlon64 3000+ mid-range, FX-53 high end... Close. Budget JUST for the cpu $80, $175, $700 (didn;t look them up, but close)

 

[CTREagleScout]

I think around 2K for the box. All the other peripherals can wait.

Also, when suggesting something if everyone could give there reason's why the prefer what they are suggesting.

Thanks everyone for the feedback already.

Eagle

 

[Necrolezbeast]

You should also include whether or not u feel comfortable overclocking, as that would affect the stance of the high-end and low-end systems. No need in spending the full amount of you are limited to when you can get more for performance for the money if you are willing to overclock. If you do like the idea of overclocking then I would vote a A64 3200+ and that DFI mobo on the home page, along with at least 1gb of high quality name brand DDR500 and a higher end 6800/x800 series. But anyway, off topic now, you live in Utah..? By the name and quote I figured as if, hehe, at least LDS eh?

 

[AnnoyedGrunt]

Here's my take:
Low End:
Sempron 3100+
MSI Neo Platinum or that DFI Board that is about to be released (SKT 754)

Middle Ground:
A64 3400+
Same MoBo's

High End:
A64 3500+ or 3800+
MSI Neo2 Platinum (SKT 939)

The 3500+ will give you similar performance to the 3400+, but gives you a better upgrade path but at a higher price. The 3800+ gives you better immediate performance but is also pretty expensive IMO.

Just to add some of the other components:
DVD-RW = NEC 3500
HDD = WD Raptor 74GB
RAM = 1GB PC3200 (I don't overclock, so I'd get something fairly inexpensive)
CASE = CM Centurion 5 or Kingwin 424
PSU = Seasonic Super Tornado 400W

Those are things I like this week, but who knows what next week will bring.

-D'oh!

 

[Corporate Thug]

low: 2500+
middle: A64 2800+
high: FX 51/53/3800+

 

[mikeford]

I've always used a variety of systems at the same time, sometimes with huge performance differences, and I am just not grasping what I should expect sempron 3100+ vs A64 3100+. Whats the high end system going to do that the low end system isn't?

My current fastest system is a XP1800+, my normal a 1.12 mhz athlon with 256 MB and 98se, and my thinking about building new system soon maybe xp2800+.

 

[VIAN]

Low: A64 2800-3000 (S754)
Mid: A64 3200-3400 (S754)
High: A64 3500-3800 (S939)

My sweetspot w/out OCing would be the 3400.

 

[Mik3y]

where does the mobile xp go into? i would call it low end just for price, but when OCed to about 2.5ghz, it should be around mid end speed.