Best CPU for gaming for under $100?

[Black Mamba]

What is the best CPU I can get for gaming for under $100?

 

[loneninja]

I would say the X2 7750 if AMD or the E5200 if Intel. I don't know if you already own a motherboard or not since you asked such a generic question, also which cpu comes out on top will depend on the game title as they are very similar in performance at stock speeds.

 

[Black Mamba]

Don't have a motherboard picked out yet.

 

[chookman]

You should be able to get an Intel e7200 or similar for around $100

or for AMD id maybe look at one of the tri-cores
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103253

 

[MykC]

AMD 64X2 6000+ $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272

If you go with a 790GX/FX board it seems your short term upgrade path will be better than if you go with an intel chip right now.

 

[smithereen]

Get a 6000+, or 5000+ if you plan to overclock.

 

[Black Mamba]

Does the number of cores matter in gaming?

 

[theAnimal]

Does the number of cores matter in gaming?

Not in most games yet. GTA IV, FSX, and real-time strategy games will benefit from quad-core.

 

[MykC]

Not really, not yet at least.

 

[spathotan]

Ill say the AMD X2 7750, or the P2 X3 710 which is barely over $100 at $120(but worth it). Id spend the extra money on the X3 710 rather than stay under $100. But strictly under $100 I cant sugest anything other than the X2 7750. Maybe a E7200 if you can find one , but it will be used as the chip has been discontinued.

 

[Black Mamba]

ok narrowed it down, look at these and tell me which is best to get Newegg

 

[spathotan]

X2 7750. Overclocks to 3.2ghz easily.

 

[MykC]

Do not go with the 9600 its just horrible.

Looking at the CPU charts its a toss up with the 64X2 6000+ vs the X2 7750. Overall, I think I'm leaning towards the X2 6000+. Unless you have a board to take advantage on the BE chips for easy overclocking.

 

[Black Mamba]

Can someone recommend a good cheap motherboard that the 7750 or the 6000+ can use.

 

[spathotan]

The difference between the 6000+ and the 7750 isnt just the stock clock speed, the 7750 has 2MB of L3. While this has debatable performance impact in games, its still there....unlike the 6000+.

 

[spathotan]

Can someone recommend a good cheap motherboard that the 7750 or the 6000+ can use.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128381 Gigabyte 790X

You could also go with a 780G.

 

[loneninja]

X2 7750. Overclocks to 3.2ghz easily.

Most over clock to 3.2 easily, not all. The one I've got will run 2.9Ghz stock voltage, but even with ACC and an upped voltage to 1.45 I can't get stable at 3.0Ghz, same core fails Prime 95 every time.

 

[jason73]

Black Mamba do you have any idea what kind of money you want to spend altogether on this system, we know you want a cpu for around $100, ? whats your budget, Im guessing thats where this is coming to.

 

[Onus]

This was a tough choice for me as well just now. I finally decided on an E5200 on a P43 board, instead of a 7750X2 on a 790G. GPU will be a 4830, so the IGP isn't needed.

 

[maxtoons]

If you ask me, I will go with phenom 9600
You get quad core for under $100
I am not sure why MyKC thinks its bad!
Why Get dual when you can get quad?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103244

 

[spathotan]

Its $110 Maxtoons. But thats not a bad decision either, its probably a more wise choice. Being that its the black edition it will overclock nicely and easily on that 790X board ive susgested above.

 

[k1fox]

I have the intel e7400 and i must say...its pretty fast. So get that for just a little bit more.

 

[Onus]

I had a rock-hard budget, else I would have gotten an e7x00 chip.