Need help Deciding on CPU for gaming

drunkbunta

Distinguished
Mar 11, 2010
6
0
18,510
Hello,
i was wondering what type of setup i could get so i could last at least 2 years of good performance with coming new games. i was considering keeping my setup with 775 socket since i have the ram and wont have to spend more on that , i was thinking of getting a quad core Intel Core2 Quad Q9400
or a core 2 duo Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz 6MB L2 Cache. would it be worth keeping? or changing socket?\

oh and i wanted to add that if i kept the 775 socket i would replace the current motherboard for a GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P

Anything would be much appreciated :)

Current setup is:
CPU core 2 duo E2160 1.8 OC'd at 2.8 (9x320)
mobo: Gygabyte GA-P35-DS3l
RAM: 4 gigs of G Skill ddr2 800
GPU: ATI 4830 512mb
 
Solution
The e2160 is on the lowest tier listed in the Best Gaming CPU chart. Since you were already planning on a mobo replacement, I will assume that's in your budget. Take the $189 you'd spend on a Q9400 and buy 4GB of DDR3 and a $75 Athlon II X3 to go on the new mobo.

drunkbunta

Distinguished
Mar 11, 2010
6
0
18,510
Thank you Maziar.

i think i could get the quad because of a tight budget.
i just wonder if it would be good enough for a few more years. or i could wait and save up for the extra cost of ram. if so what socket would you recommend?

Thanks again :D
 
The e2160 is on the lowest tier listed in the Best Gaming CPU chart. Since you were already planning on a mobo replacement, I will assume that's in your budget. Take the $189 you'd spend on a Q9400 and buy 4GB of DDR3 and a $75 Athlon II X3 to go on the new mobo.
 
Solution

drunkbunta

Distinguished
Mar 11, 2010
6
0
18,510
thanks a bunch jtt283 . i think i might go with this one since its cheaper and has about the same performance, i used to have an AMD a few years back and i loved it so i guess its time for it again :) . thanks again
 

drunkbunta

Distinguished
Mar 11, 2010
6
0
18,510
Ok guys i went a little over the budget but i think in the end its a better choice. in the end i think the time ill have it for will make up for the extra bucks. so here it is

a nice GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H Motherboard replacing a Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L

for the CPU i will be getting a Phenom II X4 955 black edition :) that will replace my good ol Intel core 2 duo E2160 1.8 OC'd at 2.8

all in all i didnt want to upgrade to ddr3 cause it would have been way more in price range so ill keep my ddr2 for now :) in a few years ill get a new mobo and ddr3 :D

so im happy with this.

Ill be getting a solano 1000 case that looks almost identical to the antec 1200 but much much cheaper and better suited for my taste :p

thanks for all your opinions guys. I will try to post a pic if i can when i set it all up.

-+Drunkbunta+-
 

moody89

Distinguished
Oct 6, 2009
799
0
19,160
I think you made the right choice there :) As someone said above if you were changing your motherboard anyway then it would make sense to move away from LGA775. The Phenom II's perform very well for gaming and you also have a better upgrade path in the AM3 socket. Your DDR2 should be fine as well :) Good luck!