Dual Core or Single Core for games?

[Bonez483]

Ok so heres the thing, im thinking about upgrading my comp soon and here are my options due to my budget
I was thinkning of going with a AMD 64 35000/3800 or a AMD 64 X2 3800. But i recently was looking at benchmarks for the dual core cpu I found that in game performance it was slacking to say the least. I found that the 64 3200 cpu performed better in some cases then the 3800 x2. I mean all I Mostly do is play some games download music and surf the net, but also i didn't want to purchase a cpu that was already outdated. Is it possible that in the coming months the dual core cpu will perform better with games???

 

[Mind_Rebuilding]

Go for dual-core if you can afford.

 

[theaxemaster]

I've been thinking the same thing, but since the motherboard I'm getting will support either, I'll probably go single core for now, maybe change it to a dual later on this year. I don't really want to spend $300 at the moment, not when $200 is just as good for the things I do.

But if you're going to get a 3800, you may as well get the X2 for maybe $30 more. Future games WILL be multithreaded, both from tha graphics and a CPU standpoint.

 

[luminaris]

I'm quite an online gamer and moving to dual core was the best move i've made in a long time (besides grabbing an opteron 165 😀 )

Games are making their way towards dual core support and there are a number of them already there. Don't look at those benchmarks as they don't really indicate anything IMO.

I play WOW, COH/COV, FEAR, COD etc and on my opty, they play much smoother.

 

[RichPLS]

I'll probably go single core for now, maybe change it to a dual later on this year. I don't really want to spend $300 at the moment, not when $200 is just as good for the things I do.

If you can not afford more than $200 now, I agree; but if the reason and logic is that I buy now a $200 cpu because I intend to upgrade it to dual core next year and the price will be cheaper, then I would advise buy the dual core now. This will ultimately save cash in the long run and have a system to enjoy for some time to come.
JMHO

 

[luminaris]

Could'nt agree with you more!

 

[kumana1]

i wouldn't say that future games will require them, but will definitely make use of them. 😉

 

[luminaris]

yeah that's true. Dual core IMO makes a difference now though. My gaming is much smoother it seems.

 

[Onus]

I'm thinking of a dual-core CPU upgrade also. I'm concerned about the effects that background processes like my anti-virus s/w and/or firewall may be having on games, especially when McAfee decides to download and install something in the middle of a GW mission or UW battle. That future games will use the added core makes this upgrade inevitable anyway. I have an Abit KN8 Ultra NF4U; what price/performance dual-core CPU would you guys suggest? I think $350-$400 is my likely max range, especially since I may want to add a second GB of RAM as well.

 

[luminaris]

Well, the only two choices you really have with that price range would be the opty 165 or the X2-3800. Me personally, I prefer the opty as it has a bigger cache, it overclocks nicely and it runs a bit cooler.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103588

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103562

 

[kumana1]

the core clock on the 165 is slightly slower than the x2 3800, but that makes little if any difference. as stated earlier, the 165 will run cooler, has a larger cache, and has better overclocking potential.

now this doesn't mean that the x2 is not the way to go. like i said, the core clock is slightly faster than the 165, and still has plenty of overclocking abilities. i've seen quite a few people who have their x2 3800's oc'd to 2.5 on stock voltage and stock hsf. really, i'd say from here its all a matter of preference and bragging rights.

 

[Onus]

Well, I'm probably not going to overclock, or perhaps no more than 5% or so just for the sake of doing it. It's that time of year to see how much of an extortion refund I'll be getting, so I may let that help in the decision. Thanks for the input.