Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: August 2010

[cleeve]

We look at three recently-released Intel processors, including the dual-core Core i3-550, the quad-core Core i5-760, and the Gulftown-based six-core Core i7-970, capable of processing 12 simultaneous threads. Is Intel putting pressure on the Phenom II X6?

Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: August 2010 : Read more

 

[amk09]

Can't wait until sandy bridge and bulldozer comes out and to see how they stack up against the current chips.

 

[Guest]

first coment , actually the fastest triple-core Athlon II is available for only $77, new lower price!!! plus c3 stepping, and the athlon II x4 640 (3.0 Ghz, the fastest and c3 too ) for only $107, i hope amd will do this with ati products too...

 

[daggs]

if you put the Core i7-980X Extreme, why don't you put any of the amd phenom II x6, they do deserve to be mentioned.

 

[jgv115]

@Daggs

The Phenom II X6 is not in there because it is not as good as the other CPUs in its price range at GAMING.

 

[henryvalz]

The i7-930 was available this weekend at Fry's for $260. Seems to be widely available for about $270... Which makes it even sexier.

 

[TheStealthyOne]

"Is Intel putting pressure on the Phenom II X6?" Maybe Intel's telling itself that lowering a 1000 dollar Cpu's price by 100 dollars is "competing" with a 200 dollar chip... lol

 

[Stardude82]

The 945 really should have always been on the list since the C3 stepping because of all the budget boards with 95W limitations. The 640 is still a better deal, but hey if 775 CPUs are still listed, CPUs catering to limited AM2+/AM3 boards should be too!

 

[Stardude82]

[citation][nom]thestealthyone[/nom]"Is Intel putting pressure on the Phenom II X6?" Maybe Intel's telling itself that lowering a 1000 dollar Cpu's price by 100 dollars is "competing" with a 200 dollar chip... lol[/citation]
Um... in terms of gaming, the $300 1095T can't compete with a $200 i5 760.

Back when AMD held the performance crown the FX line was similarly ridiculously overpriced. More likely Intel is just naming it's price to maximize it's profit. Supply and demand.

 

[jj463rd]

The Intel Core i7 980X is worth it (even at its high cost) especially for hard core Flight Simulator X users.Yes,it's worth it.Good to see a newer faster i5 760 there too.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[L0tus]

[citation][nom]amk09[/nom]Can't wait until sandy bridge and bulldozer comes out and to see how they stack up against the current chips.[/citation]

Absolutely. I really want to see AMD get their head's back into the game as far as high-end performance goes cos intel is ruling that area right now.

I can guarantee that if AMD had a chip in the i7 performance range, intel wouldn't be charging us $1000 for a suped up i7-975. Competition = lower prices = happiness

 

[dco]

I would like to see GPU recommendations for each CPU to make these articles even more informative

 

[nukemaster]

Good article. keep em coming.

 

[Ruminari]

My question is why on earth is Tomshardware still listing the i7-930 at $290. MicroCenter has been selling this processor for $199.99 since mid June!!! Tomshardware definitely needs to review where they are finding their current processor costs.

 

[burnley14]

[citation][nom]Ruminari[/nom]My question is why on earth is Tomshardware still listing the i7-930 at $290. MicroCenter has been selling this processor for $199.99 since mid June!!! Tomshardware definitely needs to review where they are finding their current processor costs.[/citation]

Processors are almost always cheaper at Microcenter than anywhere else. But there are only a handful of Microcenter locations across the country, so it's not a price everyone can get. You can't base universal prices on the few areas that do have access.

 

[7amood]

would like to request the multiplier lock for each CPU to be included.
This is important info for overclockers.

 

[tony singh]

Really happy with my 965BE C3 its cool, fast and reliable.

 

[sandmanwn]

[citation][nom]Stardude82[/nom]Um... in terms of gaming, the $300 1095T can't compete with a $200 i5 760.Back when AMD held the performance crown the FX line was similarly ridiculously overpriced. More likely Intel is just naming it's price to maximize it's profit. Supply and demand.[/citation]
yeah, cause we all know how important gaming is to the bottom line. Those few extra frames always influence my overall purchase decisions... [/sarc]

 

[Onus]

[citation][nom]sandmanwn[/nom]yeah, cause we all know how important gaming is to the bottom line...[/citation]
As much as I'd like to see something similar done for productivity apps, this article is about gaming CPUs. So, gaming will be the most important thing to the bottom line.

With a Q9450 in my primary PC, going to AMD would be a lateral move, not worth the upgrade price. I have high hopes for Bulldozer though, and for Sandy Bridge.

 

[sandmanwn]

[citation][nom]jtt283[/nom]With a Q9450 in my primary PC, going to AMD would be a lateral move, not worth the upgrade price.[/citation]
Not sure I get where you are going. I wasn't making any suggestion to make that move. If you have anything in this range it wouldn't make any sense to really buy a new cpu just for gaming.

As much as I'd like to see something similar done for productivity apps, this article is about gaming CPUs.

Just about every processor on here will do well for gaming. At some point this gaming article is sort of redundant when even the base processor can get the job done. Its sort of losing its relevance when every processor that comes out these days is well above the mark needed to run any game.

Maybe the article needs to put setups into the equation such as which CPU is best for running multiple graphics cards or something.

 

[masterasia]

The i7-930 was available this weekend at Fry's for $260. Seems to be widely available for about $270... Which makes it even sexier.

$199 at Microcenter

 

[caamsa]

Looks like the OEM BE X3 720 and the X4 940 are all gone.....snif.......no longer listed on NewEgg.

 

[cleeve]

[citation][nom]sandmanwn[/nom]yeah, cause we all know how important gaming is to the bottom line. Those few extra frames always influence my overall purchase decisions... [/sarc][/citation]

Please read the title of the article.

 

[megamanx00]

AMD needs bulldozer or else they are pretty much stuck on the lower side of things.

 

[buzznut]

In addition, as with all of AMD's X2 and X3 CPUs, the Phenom II X2 555 offers the potential for possibly unlocking dormant CPU cores.

Certainly not all X2 and X3's? Phenom II X2, Phenom II X3, and Athlon II X3 unless I am mistaken. Oh and the Sempron 140.