Any tri-core gamers out there who can give me some advice?

[zach377]

Im having trouble deciding between a tri and quad core budget processor. My basic question is then, how well are your games working with your tri-core? Can you utilise multicore rendering still with 3 cores? Im choosing between AMD's Athlon II x4 and Phenom II x3. Benchmarking from Tom's hardware and the like are pointing towards the phenom but I thought Id hear a gamers perspective.

 

[das_stig]

Phenom II x3 is a better performer than an Athlon II X4.

But for me, Intel i5 quad, would make sense for a budget gaming system.

 

[MGDJoker]

How bought u just wait about a month and save up more money and buy and I7. or I5 like The_Stig said above.

 

[zach377]

But for me, Intel i5 quad, would make sense for a budget gaming system.

I mean like really budget, around $100 bucks for processor. The Phenom x3 and Athlon x4 both fall under that range so thats why I need help deciding.

But the real question is; do people think that games will start using 4 cores well enough in the near future that getting a quad is worth it, even if a tri preforms better right now?

 

[sayantan]

till now the games utilize at maximum three cores but in future things may change....
So if you are concerned about the current games then go for phenomIIx3...or you might save those bucks and buy phenomIIx4 in future which I suppose would be a better option...
since athlonIIx4 is comparatively a weak quad core the future games might not run well...hence it would be better if you go for PHIIx4

 

[megabyteme6662002]

Another reason to have more cores is if something locks up and uses 100% load on the cores, you have free cores left to close out that program... Good stuff