Which cpu/gpu combo is best for gaming?

[dsaddons]

My friend is building a new computer and im going to show him how to build it with him, but we are deciding which cpu/gpu combo would be better for him. He has a strict budget so from all the options we have scoped we have come up with either getting a Phenom II x4 965(would eventually get hs and oc to 4.0) and a used gtx 260 core 216(not on a sli board), or an athlon ii x4 640(phenom ii x4 840 if it is up for grabs next weeks) and hd 4850 crossfire(2 refurbished). Im thinking the phenom ii/gtx 260 but on benchmarks from this website the 4850 crossfire was getting a good 20fps more than the gtx 260 on bc2. Thanks for any replies.

 

[rolli59]

For gaming the 2 x HD4850 rig is going to better the single GTX260 with ease.

 

[dsaddons]

Even with the gtx 260 having a l3 cache 4.0 quad core over a l2 cache 3.0 quad core?

 

[rolli59]

Yes because the 3GHz quad is not going to bottleneck the CF 4850 setup + it can be clocked even higher than the 3GHz. There is to much difference in GPU power for the CPU to make it up.

 

[dsaddons]

ok thanks for your replies. much appreciated.

 

[dsaddons]

Well, we were going to do the 4850 crossfire but he was able to get an extra $100 from items he sold on craigslist, so it will be the phenom ii x4 3.4 overclocked to 4.0 and 1 gtx 460 on a sli capable board.

 

[rolli59]

^+1