Is a dual core too slow for todays games?

Soulwatcher · 09-03-2010, 01:08 PM

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/Produc...82E16819103846 $88

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103871 $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/Produc...82E16814150447 ATI 5770

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130570 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 · 09-03-2010, 01:18 PM

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 · 09-03-2010, 01:21 PM

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 · 09-03-2010, 01:23 PM

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 · 09-03-2010, 01:26 PM

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.

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

Soulwatcher · 09-03-2010, 01:27 PM

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

notavirus.exe · 09-03-2010, 01:27 PM

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 · 09-03-2010, 01:30 PM

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 · 09-03-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · 09-03-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soulwatcher

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 · 09-03-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amun

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 · 09-03-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxim5

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.

General Jameson · 09-03-2010, 03:07 PM

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. · 09-03-2010, 04:55 PM

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/Produc...82E16819103699

SM darren · 09-03-2010, 05:45 PM

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

get the 460 and x2

09-03-2010, 01:08 PM	#1
Soulwatcher Join Date: Mar 2010 Reputation: 147 Posts: 535	Is a dual core too slow for todays games? 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/Produc...82E16819103846 $88 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103871 $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/Produc...82E16814150447 ATI 5770 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130570 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.

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09-03-2010, 01:18 PM	#2
masta121 Join Date: Apr 2006 Reputation: 670 Posts: 4,068	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.

09-03-2010, 01:21 PM	#3
zezzex Join Date: Oct 2006 Reputation: 691 Posts: 3,506	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.

09-03-2010, 01:23 PM	#4
roxim5 Join Date: Aug 2010 Reputation: 93 Posts: 420	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.

09-03-2010, 01:26 PM	#5
Amun Join Date: Apr 2008 Reputation: 355 Posts: 4,155	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. And you could try unlocking the 4th core as well. =p

09-03-2010, 01:27 PM	#6
Soulwatcher Join Date: Mar 2010 Reputation: 147 Posts: 535	Thanks for the advice everyone, if my wife aproves I am going to start ordering parts next week.

09-03-2010, 01:27 PM	#7
notavirus.exe Join Date: May 2010 Reputation: 2564 Posts: 2,441	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.

09-03-2010, 01:30 PM	#8
Bugs Bunny Join Date: Nov 2008 Reputation: 1221 Posts: 1,140	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.

09-03-2010, 03:07 PM	#13
General Jameson Join Date: Feb 2009 Reputation: 599 Posts: 2,010	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.

09-03-2010, 04:55 PM	#14
MalthViking. Join Date: Feb 2010 Reputation: 51 Posts: 586	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/Produc...82E16819103699

09-03-2010, 05:45 PM	#15
SM darren Join Date: Oct 2009 Reputation: 505 Posts: 2,566	woah that's a good price on that 460.. especially on evga get the 460 and x2