CPU advice...

[ChAIn3D]

Hi guys,

Looking at buying a system, and not sure what CPU I would need for my needs. I want a gaming machine, not over the top expensive and reliable. I was thinking of buying, Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 LGA775 'Wolfdale' 3.16GHz (1333FSB) but some people has mentioned the Quad.

Budget around £2-300. Any suggestions?

 

[jak731]

how long are you planning to keep the cpu/pc for?

that is a factor as for now a faster dual core is better then a quad core for gaming however in the future, games maybe able to use quad core cpus to their full potential.

are you overclocking?

if you are get yourself an e8200 instead and overclock it if you decide to get dual core.

 

[ChAIn3D]

I'm not really into overclocking...

Just want to have a system to last 2 years, but won't to be put in a situation when I upgrade and everything is out of date in 6 months.

 

[jak731]

i say get a dual core for now, but get the e8400, as i doubt loosing .16GHz will make a massive difference and get a lga 775 quad in the future when they are near the end of their production life if they are at a good price

 

[MadSkyler]

i'm getting a E8200 next month, when my pay arrives..

1. it's a 45nm wolfy
2. with a bit of overclocking it will equal the E8400
3. under a 100quid (including VAT)

you can't go wrong with it......it should last 2years, my pentium 4 lasted me 4 years

 

[Quag1986]

i have had both the q6600 and the e8500, and trust me on this....

get a e8500 ffs, almost no games use quad core atm and the only people that will tell you to buy a quad core are 3dmark whores..

the e8500 is the best cpu out there for gaming (for budget), I preordered mine off OcUK and got it for less than 190 quid inc Vat, and it has to be the best thing ive bought for a comp in a while.

please my friend, "play games, not 3dmark"

ps.. what mobo u after gettin?

and jak, the einstien quote will always be genius

 

[Devil_Spawn]

the q6600 is a beauty and will hopefully have a longer lifetime seeing as it has more cores, but you cant go wrong with any core 2 cpu, they are very powerful.

 

[dazz25]

If you want to future proof without overclcoking I would go for the quad core. In the near future games etc will be programmed to use a quad.

 

[TheMagic1an]

since you want to have it for at least 2 years, the quad would be the better choice.

 

[Quag1986]

i had a 3700+ san diego for mor than two years and it could cope with cod4 on medium, only just replaced it and i think the e8500 will last 18 months to 2 years