Is a dual core too slow for todays games?

[Soulwatcher]

Hello everyone I am thinking about building a PC for my wife and for when guests come over. I would like to keep the build cost down to around $600 or less. I am looking at these 2 processors

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103846 $88

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871 $104

Which of thse 2 processors would be the better processor?

Also I am looking at these two video cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150447 ATI 5770

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130570 460 GTX

I am looking to get the most FPS bang for the buck and I want to be able to run medium to high settings. What do you guys recomend?

P.S. Also I would like to make the build future proof. I would like to be able to run new games for the next 2 years.

[masta121]

The X2 550 and GTX 460 combo would be the best. More games benefit from the increased clock speed and extra cache than the two extra cores of the propus.

[zezzex]

I don't know much about amd processors, but I'll say this. Most games don't require a quad core processor. Only a few games really need a quad core. My dual core Intel e8600 does fine for me.

[roxim5]

As stated by masta,

Definitely get the Phenom II X2. The extra cache and clock speed are more valuable then two more cores, at least for todays standards.

Also the 460 is a great buy. It has much overclocking potential and is the best higher end bang for the buck card on the market today.

[Amun]

For a guest computer, whichever video card you can get a better deal on would probably be best.

And I think you'd want a more powerful CPU (especially in a few years) just for the benefits in multitasking/productivity/everyday usage. A good compromise might be this guy. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103699&cm_re=phenom_ii-_-19-103-699-_-Product)

And you could try unlocking the 4th core as well. =p

[Soulwatcher]

Thanks for the advice everyone, if my wife aproves I am going to start ordering parts next week. :D

[notavirus.exe]

X2 and 460 hands down.

***Don't depend on this BUT*** There also may be a chance that you can unlock the Phenom into a quad depending on your motherboard. Even if you can't get a quad core out of it, it will still remain as a kick ♥♥♥ dual core.

[Bugs Bunny]

a dual core is currently fine for most games, the phenom2 dual-core would perform slightly better in games and programs that utilize 1 or 2 cores, but a lot of newer games are core-hungry, so in the long run the quad core would serve you better.

As for the Gpu i'd say the 460, it performs a lot better than a 5770 and even a 5770 can run the majority of games currently out on high settings so it should last you a while.

[Soulwatcher]

For a guest computer, whichever video card you can get a better deal on would probably be best.

And I think you'd want a more powerful CPU (especially in a few years) just for the benefits in multitasking/productivity/everyday usage. A good compromise might be this guy. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103699&cm_re=phenom_ii-_-19-103-699-_-Product)

And you could try unlocking the 4th core as well. =p

I want to keep the build under $600 or as close to $600 as I can.

[Amun]

I want to keep the build under $600 or as close to $600 as I can.

The 3 core Phenom II is the same price as the 2 core Phenom II...

[roxim5]

The 3 core Phenom II is the same price as the 2 core Phenom II...

It doesn't come with a heat sink/cpu cooler though. It is OEM

[Amun]

It doesn't come with a heat sink/cpu cooler though. It is OEM

Ah, touché. But it's conceivable that you would have an AMD CPU cooler laying around your house, or if you didn't, you could buy one for $10 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103087).

[General Jameson]

What I get is that you are looking to build a PC. Seems you have a $600 budget. Will you need a monitor, mouse, keyboard etc..

Do you have a case already or reusing anything like optical drives or need a OS?

Myself and other will be more that willing to help part together a system for you if you would like.

[MalthViking.]

x2 is fine for gaming


Phenom 2's are better suited towards gaming than the Athlon 2 line, btw. Primarily because of the L3 cache

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103699

[SM darren]

woah that's a good price on that 460.. especially on evga

get the 460 and x2

[lo3.explicit]

Ah, touché. But it's conceivable that you would have an AMD CPU cooler laying around your house, or if you didn't, you could buy one for $10 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103087).

Fan is only approved for CPU's up to 65watts. Do not get this cooler for a 95watt CPU.

[joemtnbike]

Fan is only approved for CPU's up to 65watts. Do not get this cooler for a 95watt CPU.

good catch.
If you need a fan, pony up $20 and get one of these (http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RR-910-HTX3-G1-130-Watt-Hyper/dp/B0028Y4S9K).
Hard to find better performance for the price.

[Amun]

Fan is only approved for CPU's up to 65watts. Do not get this cooler for a 95watt CPU.

Sadly newegg doesn't let you search for CPU cooler compatibility beyond socket type. Here's one that's rated to 115W for the same price. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150096)

[SM darren]

Sadly newegg doesn't let you search for CPU cooler compatibility beyond socket type. Here's one that's rated to 115W for the same price. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835150096)

it would still be smarter to buy the coolermaster or a more reliable brand instead of cheaping out for a few dollars

coolermasters come with a tube of thermal paste as well, i like that about them. though i've never had any others so i can't say if they do or not

[Amun]

it would still be smarter to buy the coolermaster or a more reliable brand instead of cheaping out for a few dollars

coolermasters come with a tube of thermal paste as well, i like that about them. though i've never had any others so i can't say if they do or not

Well yeah, but our OP wants to get a speedy computer on the cheap. *shrug*

[joemtnbike]

Well yeah, but our OP wants to get a speedy computer on the cheap. *shrug*

I recommend saving an extra $10 or cutting $10 somewhere else in the build.

[Amun]

I recommend saving an extra $10 or cutting $10 somewhere else in the build.

I agree, but we don't know anything else about the build... :(

[notavirus.exe]

google search for "coolermaster store" and "thermaltake store" and you can get refurbished HSF's direct from the company for much cheaper than newegg or tigerdirect. You can save some big money that way and keep your cpu super cool.

[T Rush]

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MSI 870-G45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
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AMD Phenom II X3 740 Black Edition(fully unlocked multi) Heka
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ARCTIC COOLING ACALP64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler
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SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W +12v @ 40amp dual PCI-E Power Supply
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SAMSUNG Spinpoint F4 HD322GJ/U 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA II HDD
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EVGA 768-P3-1362-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked 768MB
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