Desktop Computer

[Fel]

Don't waste your money and think it's better to spend extra on a quad-core.

I had a 2.33 (the slowest) Core 2 Duo with a 1333 mhz front side bus and it ran all the latest games perfectly. I then overclocked it to 3.4ghz and something like 2000mhz FSB.

I used the same processor to run a dual video card setup and that ran awesome. I was running 4gb of ram though. The point is, a quad core isn't any better for casual gaming than a dual core. It's been proven. Games simply aren't going to utilize that many cores.

Quad-cores are beneficial if you're running a heavy SLi or Crossfire setup to handle the extra gpu's.

+1

CPU usually isn't a serious bottleneck... hell, I have a standard ol' P4 w/HT at 3.0GHz on my 6 year old desktop and it never chokes on games. Only with games in the last few months has it been an issue with trying to get games running at full blast. Video card is usually the bottleneck, and usually only comes into play when you try to squeeze the most out of your games at high resolution.

Anything dual core or more will be just fine for the next several years.

[s0urce]

Go get help on Pcperspective.com http://forums.pcper.com/

[Desaevious]

+1

CPU usually isn't a serious bottleneck... hell, I have a standard ol' P4 w/HT at 3.0GHz on my 6 year old desktop and it never chokes on games. Only with games in the last few months has it been an issue with trying to get games running at full blast. Video card is usually the bottleneck, and usually only comes into play when you try to squeeze the most out of your games at high resolution.

Anything dual core or more will be just fine for the next several years.

Don't waste your money and think it's better to spend extra on a quad-core.

I had a 2.33 (the slowest) Core 2 Duo with a 1333 mhz front side bus and it ran all the latest games perfectly. I then overclocked it to 3.4ghz and something like 2000mhz FSB.

I used the same processor to run a dual video card setup and that ran awesome. I was running 4gb of ram though. The point is, a quad core isn't any better for casual gaming than a dual core. It's been proven. Games simply aren't going to utilize that many cores.

Quad-cores are beneficial if you're running a heavy SLi or Crossfire setup to handle the extra gpu's.

Both of these are nail on head. I use my desktop for gaming and instant messanger. Everything else is for the laptop...dual core such as the E8500 is perfect for gaming when you don't run any other miscellaneous processes.

OP if you build your own, or even buy from dell or where ever else, take that into account when you decide "quad core or dual core." Vista 64-bit is preferred with gaming like someone else said, especially with DirectX 10 support and the ability to use up 16GB of ram.

[aintnothang]

Remember 32-bit can only see a maximum of 3.12MB, you need 64-bit to recognize anything higher.

[h0lmes]

Remember 32-bit can only see a maximum of 3.12GB, you need 64-bit to recognize anything higher.

[DEV0 E30]

Or, I know this is thinking outside of the box... take back the game and get it for the xbox 360. :)

If you don't have an xbox... well that adds some $ on top of the whole process.

[h0lmes]

or, i know this is thinking outside of the box... Take back the game and get it for the xbox 360. :)

if you don't have an xbox... Well that adds some $ on top of the whole process.

pc > 360

[Surtr]

Both of these are nail on head. I use my desktop for gaming and instant messanger. Everything else is for the laptop...dual core such as the E8500 is perfect for gaming when you don't run any other miscellaneous processes.

I wrote a reply to E30 Wagen, but the power went out and apparently my UPS is only good for about 12 seconds now...

If you use it JUST for gaming, then I guess it's fine. If you ever have the urge to use other stuff though, you might have to upgrade. For the extra $1 over the E8500, I will take a Q6600.

Also, on a side note, E65x0's were not the slowest dual cores.

[E30 Wagen]

I wrote a reply to E30 Wagen, but the power went out and apparently my UPS is only good for about 12 seconds now...

If you use it JUST for gaming, then I guess it's fine. If you ever have the urge to use other stuff though, you might have to upgrade. For the extra $1 over the E8500, I will take a Q6600.

Also, on a side note, E65x0's were not the slowest dual cores.

i should have been more specific: at 1333mhz fsb they were the slowest.

also, the q6600 will soon no longer be available, plus it's only 1066fsb. Whatever you get, just make sure its 1333fsb or higher at least.

anyway, to the op, worry less about cpus and more about video cards. it's most important to get one with lots of stream processors

[Surtr]

also, the q6600 will soon no longer be available, plus it's only 1066fsb. Whatever you get, just make sure its 1333fsb or higher at least.

anyway, to the op, worry less about cpus and more about video cards. it's most important to get one with lots of stream processors

Meh, I don't know how much of a difference FSB makes. I thought 1333 would be better, which is why I got a Q8200. At stock, it's slower than my Q6600 at stock. Encoding 720p x264, and in synthetic benchmarks anyway. Video card is going to make a bigger difference than CPU.

You can't compare stream processors of ATI and Nvidia these days, though. I'd look at the tomshardware.com charts. Considering it's just ONE game you are interested in playing, I'd suggest an Nvidia 8800GT or 9800GT, or an ATI 48X0. The 8800 and 9800 are the same and any GT will do you good, so just go with cheapest. I hear ATI is better at gaming these days though. It all depends on how much you wanna spend.

[aintnothang]

'07 Female Miniature Dachshund, Long Hair Edition, Red.
Mods so far: Reproduction delete kit, biweekly nail shortening.
(Pics hopefully coming soon)

I wanna see your pup.

[Surtr]

I wanna see your pup.

1, 2, 3, Action. I need to find a good pic to make into a signature pic, so I can be like the cool kids :-\

[aintnothang]

Yeah, I have a longhair too, but he's a boy.

[kronus]

Remember 32-bit can only see a maximum of 4GB, you need 64-bit to recognize anything higher.

biggest 32-bit memory address is 4 294 967 295 in decimal. This means that you can address 4.29 billion bytes, which is 4 GB.

[GaryE30]

Or, I know this is thinking outside of the box... take back the game and get it for the xbox 360. :)

If you don't have an xbox... well that adds some $ on top of the whole process.

I prefer computer. I have an xbox, just not a 360. They don't offer Modern Warfare for just xbox.