GTX 260: What CPU?

[BlackSushi222]

Hey guys. I'd like to know which CPU's will be able to unleash the GTX 260's full potential. Intel or AMD, I'd like to see what I could get for the holidays.

Thanks in advance.

 

[xxcoop42xx]

a good one

 

[xxcoop42xx]

sorry i had to, but i would look at a quad-core like the Q9450 or Q9550. those have great performance and they oc great. the Q9450 is 2.6GHz stock w/ 8x cpu multiplier i think and the Q9550 is 2.8GHz stock w/ 8.5x cpu multiplier. also you could look at the Q6600, that thing is still kicking good also.

 

[jerreece]

I'd suggest anything Intel over AMD. Intel's current chips just simply outperform the AMD offerings. Hopefully this future release of Phenom II (AMD) chips will change things a bit.

Until then, I'd suggest an Intel chip. If you go dual-core, go with a E8400 or better. For quads, the Q6600 is a good chip for a decent price.

You'll probably want to try to overclock your CPU to 3Ghz+ if you can, to get full potential. Even with my 8800GTS I showed FPS improvement in Crysis by going from 2.4Ghz (stock Q6600) to 3.2Ghz.

 

[Pharo Surreal]

What motherboard r u going for?

 

[BlackSushi222]

The Q6600 and the E8400 looks more price friendly. Sadly right now im on an AMD chip, the 64 X2 5200+ 2.7~. I'll have to switch the mobo, which is AM2+ and I have it with the GTX 260.

I do not know which motherboard is great for Intel's, other than an expensive one.

When the new AMD's come out, will they be comparable to the ones u guys suggested?

 

[shurass]

look if you read the early atricles in tomshardware you look that to have the maximun perfomance for that kind of proccesor you have to overclocked even the ultimate processor that we have in the we have in the actually. i have a 5200+ same as you and i dont worry about that kind of performance because simply the graphics cards in the present are way too long in performance compared to processors. stick it with a 9800gtx+ because the processor you have dont bottleneck that graphic card. and consume less power that the gtx260. according about what kind of amd you could try the phenom 9950 black edition. but youre going to have 10% or 15% in perfomance boost. its not really worth the cost.

 

[doomsdaydave11]

If you already have the AM2+ motherboard, AMD's Phenom 9950 performs about as well as the Q6600, and is cheaper. You won't have to upgrade motherboard either.

Why don't you just wait until the Phenom II's come out, and then decide to upgrade. Going to another motherboard when you have a good, expandable one now makes no sense.