What's the best "bang 4 buck" Gaming CPU right now?

[AnnoyedGrunt]

If you don't really want to upgrade (does that mean you want to save money and make as few changes as possible or does it mean you want to start from scratch?), then wait for Doom3 to come out and try it out. If you don't like the performance, then buy a new video card and CPU.

In your case, it sounds like you can get quite a decent upgrade by going to a newer intel CPU, which would allow you to use your existing RAM (most likely) and existing MB.

If you were to start from scratch, then my favorite choice right now is the A64 2800+ or 3000+ with the MSI K8N Neo Platinum MB. For video cards, I would get the NV 6800 GT, but it isn't very readily available. The X800Pro, 6800, and 9800Pro are also very good choices IMO. I would not buy anything lower than a 9800Pro with the A64.

-D'oh!

 

[pookguy88]

Originally posted by: AnnoyedGrunt
If you don't really want to upgrade (does that mean you want to save money and make as few changes as possible or does it mean you want to start from scratch?), then wait for Doom3 to come out and try it out. If you don't like the performance, then buy a new video card and CPU.

In your case, it sounds like you can get quite a decent upgrade by going to a newer intel CPU, which would allow you to use your existing RAM (most likely) and existing MB.

If you were to start from scratch, then my favorite choice right now is the A64 2800+ or 3000+ with the MSI K8N Neo Platinum MB. For video cards, I would get the NV 6800 GT, but it isn't very readily available. The X800Pro, 6800, and 9800Pro are also very good choices IMO. I would not buy anything lower than a 9800Pro with the A64.

-D'oh!

so the NForce3 chipset is the way to go for A64?

 

[Blain]

Bang for the buck?
An XP-M mobile Barton 35W 2400+ & NF7-S V2

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: AristoV300
3.0c with little vcore increase should do 3.6 no problem. You should be able to pick one up for around $200.

I'd also recommend a P4 2.8C or 3.0C ... I just picked up a new 2.8C and it's purring at 3.4 GHz right now (I haven't pushed it too hard). It has posted at 3.8, which is nice.

I'm biased towards the P4 right now just because I like Hyperthreading, but the Athlon 64 is a great choice for gaming as well.

I'd recommend against the Mobile AXP. It gives great overclocks, sure, but I'd say either get a P4 for the hyperthreading or an Athlon 64 for being faster at pretty much everything (especially games).

 

[woodscomp]

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: orangat
Are you sure its AMD and not a crappy m/b chipset by VIA giving you problems in the past?

Intel does have better m/b implementations but AMD can still be a solid choice.

Please that's the biggest FUD in the world of PC's. Perpetrated by intel zealots and the n00bs eat it up due to Intels brand awarness. Find me one reputable reviewer stating AMD chipsets are anything but rock stable in the last four years. Besides AMD stand a better change of being stable today (assuming any chipsets amd or intel arn't) because the A64 offloads the majority of the work for them having on-die mem controller.

As a AMD system builder for 6 years and switching over to Intel two years ago my tech calls have gone down 90% since switching platforms. Reviewers don't count as they only test a chip/chipset for a few days. Ask system builders what they use for reliability, most will tell you Intel. Why? Because of the rock solid chipsets. Why did Gateway ditch the AMD platform after a few months? Because the chipsets suck. Granted they got much better with the introduction of the Nforce chipset. VIA, SIS, and ALI have all been problematic.

AMD appeals to the money concious crowd. Although the 64 platform is not cheap, it is the direct competition to the current P4.

 

[Avalon]

Originally posted by: Blain
Bang for the buck?
An XP-M mobile Barton 35W 2400+ & NF7-S V2

Thank you. I'm still AMAZED that so many people recommend the mobile AXP 2600+. You people do realize that that chip is around $100, and more at some places? The 35w 2400+ goes just as far as the 2600+ does consistently, and I think you can get it for $80. Why do people still buy the 2600+? Blain's recommendation, after overclocking, is going to be the most powerful bang for your buck.

 

[KenSr]

Interesting post

 

[nh]

Originally posted by: Avalon

Originally posted by: Blain
Bang for the buck?
An XP-M mobile Barton 35W 2400+ & NF7-S V2

Thank you. I'm still AMAZED that so many people recommend the mobile AXP 2600+. You people do realize that that chip is around $100, and more at some places? The 35w 2400+ goes just as far as the 2600+ does consistently, and I think you can get it for $80. Why do people still buy the 2600+? Blain's recommendation, after overclocking, is going to be the most powerful bang for your buck.

Hi Avalon,

I actually just went through the process of reading through a number of the threads here, along with the reviews on newegg and other places about the mobiles. From what I've seen, it looks like the 35w chips arn't overclocking on average as well as the 2500+ and 2600+ chips. Most 2500+s and 2600+s seem to make it up to 2.4GHz pretty easily, but a number of people have complained about the 35ws topping out at 2.3 or 2.4. It's not really scientific, but just the impression I've gotten over the last 2 weeks of reading.

Nite_Hawk

 

[Avalon]

I bought four 35w 2400+ mobiles, and they all did 2.6ghz on mediocre air (Volcano 7+) with 1.9v with a 216FSB. I suspect if I had a thermalright SLK 900A or such and ran with a 200FSB, I'd be doing 2.6 with them at 1.85v or better. They were AQYHA.

 

[pelikan]

I'd go A64 2800. Games are getting pretty heavy on hardware these days. I don't think it makes any sense to get a Barton. I'd take the A64 2800 over my Barton at 2800 MHz any day. Of course, I'd overclock it...

 

[Avalon]

The problem was, just a few months ago, we didn't have any distinctly good socket 754 boards with PCI/AGP lock, so overclocking was iffy. I'd hop on over to A64 now if I could afford it. Nvidia has a great chipset in the NF3-250.

 

[Dug]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Benchmarks

Notice that you have to drop down into the 640x480 resolution to see the differences.
But then your 100+ fps anyway so it doesn't matter. Got above that and your video card is where you have to concentrate.


If you guys really think you'll notice a difference with a more expensive cpu, you're kidding yourselves.

My mobile Athlon is happily doing 2.5Ghz with a cheap $16 Alx-800 and Panaflo L1A on a Shuttle A35N ultra. ~$170 total for mb, cpu, and cooling. I'm sure you could get it even cheaper in the f/s forum.

I could not tell one difference between this setup and when I had a P4 at 3.6Ghz.

 

[woodscomp]

Originally posted by: Dug
I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Benchmarks

Notice that you have to drop down into the 640x480 resolution to see the differences.
But then your 100+ fps anyway so it doesn't matter. Got above that and your video card is where you have to concentrate.


If you guys really think you'll notice a difference with a more expensive cpu, you're kidding yourselves.

My mobile Athlon is happily doing 2.5Ghz with a cheap $16 Alx-800 and Panaflo L1A on a Shuttle A35N ultra. ~$170 total for mb, cpu, and cooling. I'm sure you could get it even cheaper in the f/s forum.

I could not tell one difference between this setup and when I had a P4 at 3.6Ghz.

Your right CPU does not make a bit of difference if your video card can not take advantage of it.

 

[BlackMamba]

Mobile XP's are the way to go. I haven't got any air conditing and prefer quiet cooling, and even still I can run my chip at 2.3. With the AC on and a faster fan, I've had it up to 2.4 and beyond, totally Prime95 stable, but I still prefer quiet.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: woodscomp

Originally posted by: Zebo

Originally posted by: orangat
Are you sure its AMD and not a crappy m/b chipset by VIA giving you problems in the past?

Intel does have better m/b implementations but AMD can still be a solid choice.

Please that's the biggest FUD in the world of PC's. Perpetrated by intel zealots and the n00bs eat it up due to Intels brand awarness. Find me one reputable reviewer stating AMD chipsets are anything but rock stable in the last four years. Besides AMD stand a better change of being stable today (assuming any chipsets amd or intel arn't) because the A64 offloads the majority of the work for them having on-die mem controller.

As a AMD system builder for 6 years and switching over to Intel two years ago my tech calls have gone down 90% since switching platforms. Reviewers don't count as they only test a chip/chipset for a few days. Ask system builders what they use for reliability, most will tell you Intel. Why? Because of the rock solid chipsets. Why did Gateway ditch the AMD platform after a few months? Because the chipsets suck. Granted they got much better with the introduction of the Nforce chipset. VIA, SIS, and ALI have all been problematic.

AMD appeals to the money concious crowd. Although the 64 platform is not cheap, it is the direct competition to the current P4.

Total BS. That's why Anands, you know the guy who reviews hardware professionally seeing thousands of products a year, been using AMD servers for four years now, right because thier unreliable?? IMO ihere is actually no more effective endorsement of the stability and reliability of AMD platforms than the fact that AnandTech uses them as the sole platform for the web serving of its main site.


We can even go back four years ago to address your poposterous "only recently with nforce have they gotten better" remarks to toms hardware: http://www6.tomshardware.com/cpu/20001017/athlon-02.html

""Chipsets for AMD processors are inferior to Intel chipsets. - LIE

Yeah, sure, the earth is flat and politicians are honest ... I am still amused when I see people posting the above message in news groups or as their response to articles. How many more times does Intel need to screw up their chipsets (i820, MTH, ...) until you guys get the message? . . . Incompatibilities are more a problem of the motherboard BIOS than of the chipset right now. Thus both chipset makers, Intel as well as VIA, are actually in the same situation."


:::sigh:::Tom::: I guess some things will never change, four years later still hearing the same ole' BS

Ask the systems builders??.. you mean like all GAMEPC builders featuring AMD processors? yup they want that "90%" added support cost alright. They why do they sell em even cheaper than Pentium counterparts? They should add a signifigant support surcharge on all AMD systems if they cost more to support and RMA as you say. Why arn't they?


I'll tell you why GATEWAY dropped AMD, it's because of FUD like you're spreading to impressionable users combined with Intels massive maketing machine which doesnt give AMD a chance woth the mom and pops who don't know sh1t..They want brand name, they want the name they know and heard...just like my parents only want Name brand perscription drugs..no generics they say. Well I say their all damn fools who deserve to be fleased.

How much is Intel paying you to post here?

 

[mato7742]

i've never heard that topic addressed with such a profound voice.