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Tom's Hardware > Forum > CPU & Components > CPUs > What's the cheapest/best processor for running games at 60fps

What's the cheapest/best processor for running games at 60fps

Forum CPU & Components : CPUs What's the cheapest/best processor for running games at 60fps

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I'm building an HTPC with a Radeon 6850. Since I'll be playing at 1080p, my frames would be limited to 60fps (?). What is a good CPU that can run games at 60fps? I was planning on an i3-2100, but I think there are cheaper options available.

Reply to xpeh
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A pentium 4 will play street fighter at 60fps so you should get that, no seriously you have to say what games?

Reply to seumas_beathan

the i3-2100 is the best gaming processor at that price point.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 20-10.html
after that you need a i5-2400 or 2500k if you plan on overclocking.

Reply to nagol567

and you may not get 60fps on all games with a 6850. two 6870's in crossfire is the cheapest set-up to play battlefield 3 in 1080p on ultra. after that you need either a 590, 6990, 7950, or 7970.

Reply to nagol567
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xpeh wrote :

What is a good CPU that can run games at 60fps?

Are low graphics setting and low monitor resolutions OK?

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Reply to WR2

some games are cpu heavy like skyrim, others are gpu heavy like battlefield 3.

Depends what games you wanna play

Reply to deejayburnout
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the pentium g840 is a good cpu for cheap gaming.

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Reply to esrever
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I'd like to play games like Fallout 3 on max settings. And maybe Skyrim and Battlefield 3, but I don't need to max them. I play at a resolutions of 1920X1080 (1080i), 1080X720 (720p), and maybe 1280X1024. I'm trying to spend the least amount of money as possible while still maintaining good performance.

Reply to xpeh
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check the pentium G series. They are cheap and capable for gaming.

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Reply to esrever

XPEH states: "I was planning on an i3-2100, but I think there are cheaper options available."


the following two examples...

First example... Someone who doesn't comprehend well...

nagol567 wrote :

the i3-2100 is the best gaming processor at that price point.
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] 20-10.html
after that you need a i5-2400 or 2500k if you plan on overclocking.




Our Second Example... Someone who comprehends well...

esrever wrote :

the pentium g840 is a good cpu for cheap gaming.



esrever wrote :

check the pentium G series. They are cheap and capable for gaming.





esrever has provided two great examples.

------------------------------ To hell with you AMD and Intel Fanboys... My TRS-80 still does the dishes and takes the trash out. Beat that!
Reply to biscuitasylum

xpeh wrote :

I'm building an HTPC with a Radeon 6850. Since I'll be playing at 1080p, my frames would be limited to 60fps (?). What is a good CPU that can run games at 60fps? I was planning on an i3-2100, but I think there are cheaper options available.


yes, there are cheaper options. you could get a Athlon II x2, or a AMD a6. but i recommend the i3, it is a lot better, and u future-proof your self :)

Reply to mahin1islam

mahin1islam wrote :

yes, there are cheaper options. you could get a Athlon II x2, or a AMD a6. but i recommend the i3, it is a lot better, and u future-proof your self :)



If the OP is looking at saving money they can still get a 1155 socket pentium cpu and be able to have upgradablity to an i5/i7 later. The i3 is a good option but without overclocking and HT pretty much useless in games (if not harmful) The OP can save some cash and get a pentium like esrever suggested.


Message edited by omega21xx on 02-01-2012 at 01:21:45 AM
------------------------------ Sentey Optimus Extreme | OCZ ZX 850 | ASRock 970 Extreme 4 ASRock z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 | PII b20 x4 @3.5ghz i5 2500k @4.5ghz | A70 | 8GB G.Skill | Solid III | 6870 |
H61m | Celeron G530 | 4GB GSkill | Antec 520w | 6790 |
Reply to omega21xx
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Which Pentium model would be optimal? I just need something capable of playing a 1080p and playing games.

Reply to xpeh
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g860, g850 or g840 all will do.

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Reply to esrever
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860, or i3-2100, man that thing won't even bottleneck a gtx 580.

------------------------------ Overclocked Intel HD 3000 Performance: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] e#t1978730
Thermal Paste Removal/Installation Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] emoval-ins
Reply to amuffin
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amuffin wrote :

860, or i3-2100, man that thing won't even bottleneck a gtx 580.


The g860 is 10 dollars less. Would it bottleneck a 6870?

Reply to xpeh
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no

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Reply to esrever
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Then I'm going to get a G860 then. Plus, I can upgrade to an i3/i5/i7 later on. Also, is the G860 overclockable?

Reply to xpeh
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Nope, though get a mobo that can support ivybridge, and you might be able to upgrade to an i5-3570k or an i7-3770k.

------------------------------ Overclocked Intel HD 3000 Performance: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] e#t1978730
Thermal Paste Removal/Installation Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] emoval-ins
Reply to amuffin
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I'm trying to get more of a budget gaming build. Do you know any Socket 1155 motherboards that support Ivy Bridge that are under $70? I don't plan on overclocking. Just playing games and watching HD movies.

Reply to xpeh
- 1 +

why do you need upgradability with a htpc???

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Reply to esrever
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Spend a bit more for an asrock z68 extreme 3 gen 3.

------------------------------ Overclocked Intel HD 3000 Performance: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] e#t1978730
Thermal Paste Removal/Installation Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] emoval-ins
Reply to amuffin
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I meant to type HTPC/Gaming build. And the Asrock z68 would be too big to put on a drawer or a shelf. But I'm probably going to sell the desktop before upgrading it, so I actually won't need the option to upgrade. Do you know any good Socket 1155 MicroATX motherboards?

Reply to xpeh
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xpeh wrote :

I meant to type HTPC/Gaming build. And the Asrock z68 would be too big to put on a drawer or a shelf. But I'm probably going to sell the desktop before upgrading it, so I actually won't need the option to upgrade. Do you know any good Socket 1155 MicroATX motherboards?


This looks like an average board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813130612

------------------------------ Overclocked Intel HD 3000 Performance: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] e#t1978730
Thermal Paste Removal/Installation Guide: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] emoval-ins
Reply to amuffin
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Well, I still need a motherboard that's under 70 dollars. I'm building with a budget of 600 and have 70 dollars for a mobo.

Reply to xpeh
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Reply to esrever

1] What is cheap?

2] What games?

3] Clarify this so as to avoid the random speculation that goes on here when the happy community tries to determine what your OP actually means.

Reply to sarinaide
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@esrever +1000. you are on fire with this thread

Reply to ebola28
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1] 70 dollars is cheap, and I can't go higher.

2] Fallout 3, Amnesia, Dead Space, Skyrim, Battlefield 3, etc

Reply to xpeh

G860 will do that fine, you may squeeze a bit more life out of the i3 2100 but the Pentium line SB are capable of playing said games bar BF3 on comfortable FPS and they cost next to nothing (sort of).

 

Sadly I don't see you running BF3 at 60FPS for $70 but Skyrim perhaps.


Message edited by sarinaide on 02-01-2012 at 08:49:59 AM
Reply to sarinaide
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Sarinaide, it's backwards. BF3 is very GPU dependent while Skyrim is CPU heavy

Reply to ebola28
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As long as I get at least 30 frames a second, I'm fine. The less I spend, the better.

Reply to xpeh

ebola28 wrote :

Sarinaide, it's backwards. BF3 is very GPU dependent while Skyrim is CPU heavy



Oh forgive me, in any event you will not max out BF on a $70 chip.

I did run Skyrim on a 8800GTX and C2D on High at over 35FPS so there we go.

Reply to sarinaide
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I'm more of a fan of older games. Would I be able to completely max Fallout 3?

Reply to xpeh

G series Pentiums + 560Ti/HD 6870 whatevs will max Fallout 3 with nonchelant ease. Heck you probably will max out Skyrim to (fus ro dah, am I doing it right?) if not at 16x AA, then 8x (dum dum daaa) The horror.


Message edited by sarinaide on 02-01-2012 at 09:34:24 AM
Reply to sarinaide
- 0 +

yes you can max fallout3.

also can max skyrim.

can generally max all older games.

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Reply to esrever
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The G860 doesn't have any reviews on Newegg. Will the G850 still max Fallout 3/Skyrim?

Reply to xpeh

You will probably play it on High/Ultra balance, the G series 1155 processors are by and large faster than a Core2 Duo, so if a C2D can, then I don't see why not.

 

The trick here is not to put to much expectations on the chip, it is a good build but you cannot compare it to a i5 or i7, even to the i3. But for a budget you will get vastly better performance than the old setups.


Message edited by sarinaide on 02-01-2012 at 04:03:13 PM
Reply to sarinaide
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Just saw some videos of people playing Crysis on Very High settings with the Pentium G850, so I'll be buying the G850. Thank you all very much for your input!

Reply to xpeh

Enjoy your upgrade, I hope it brings you many late mornings.

Reply to sarinaide

ebola28 wrote :

@esrever +1000. you are on fire with this thread


lol every thread. really. every thread i go to, esrever is always posting useful comments. even mines :D

Reply to mahin1islam
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