Quad Core vs Dual Core

[compy386]

I'm helping my friend with his computer build and I recommened a dual core 5000+ because I heard the new Phenoms don't work well. Just doing some follow up searches and I found a deal for a 9500 + quad crossfire MB for $330. The Dual Core + same MB runs $260. Is that $70 worth it if he only really wants to play games? BTW he's not OCing so that's why I took intel out of the picture. Q6600 + quad MB was running 470. I know the Q6600 is better than the 9500 but it's not 50% more expensive better IMO.

 

[zenmaster]

Neither are a very good Option from an AMD perspective from what you say. The 6000+ or 6400+ would serve you better. The 5000+ is great if you want to OC but not as good at stock

The 6400+ is clocked about 50% faster than the Phenom and that will really show in games which are rarely quad-core optimized.

No need for a Quad X-Fire Mobo.
You are better off with a Good Dual 16X CF mobo.

Then Get 2x 3870x2.
In general the 3870x2 is faster than 2x3870 in most tests I've seen.

As a result, I expect 2x 3870x2 to beat 4x3870.

 

[akhilles]

The 790FX is not worth the money unless it'll run quad crossfire or it'll be overclocked. Most every board with 1/2 pci-e will do just fine for gaming.

 

[blotch]

this may help depending on what games he plays . Battlefield 2142, Bioshock, Hellgate, FEAR, Quake4, Stalker, Oblivion, and WIC all use at least 2 cores and COD4, COH, Crysis, SupCom will use 4 cores. There are others that i don't so can't say if they do or don't. Games from now on should be able to use multiple cores (ie. brand new games like COD4 and Crysis).