Gaming PC (currently looking for CPU, Mobo)

[TCS_Timmeh]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within next 1-2 weeks

Budget Range: $150-200 Before Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Mostly gaming

Parts Not Required: PSU, Video Card, Hard Drive (I'm only looking for a CPU & Mobo currently)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com

Country: United States

Parts Preferences: AMD processor (maybe Phenom II X4 of some sort) I want a quad cpu atleast

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe, i might do it in the future. Probably not with this build though

Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024

Additional Comments: I already have DDR3 RAM for this build (found a pretty good deal) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145346

If you could make a CPU, mobo combo that will run that RAM. That would be great.

I would also like to be able to play BF3 on atleast high if at all possible.

Thanks!

 

[Emerald]

Phenom II X4 960 plus a motherboard with an 870 chipset

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995

 

[TCS_Timmeh]

Ah, those look like sound options. Could you explain the difference between the Phenom II X4 955 and the CPU you sent me? They are about the same price afterall.

 

[Emerald]

the main difference is that the 955 uses more power and has Virtualization Technology Support

 

[TCS_Timmeh]

What would picking the 960T over the 955 do as far as FPS in games (BF3, Bad Company 2 type)? Is it a noticeable gain?

 

[madchemist83]

I3-2100 will be better in gaming then phenoms

 

[TCS_Timmeh]

I don't understand how an I3-2100 would be better over say a 955 BE?
Dual Core vs Quad Core
3.1 Ghz vs 3.2 Ghz
3 MB L3 Cache vs 6 MB L3 Cache

Am I missing something? Am i not even looking at the important factors in a processor?

 

[madchemist83]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859-10.html
Here you go. Amd is two year old and no amount of cores, cache or ghz will help it.

 

[TCS_Timmeh]

Based on that chart, would an I5-2300 be worthwhile to get in a couple more weeks (time needed to scrounge up more money)? I'm trying to get the very best bang for my buck, I'd probably only be running games at either 1024x768 or 1280x1024 (until i atleast get a new monitor). If you had a pretty tight $200 budget, what would you get?

 

[TCS_Timmeh]

As far as CPU and Mobo goes. Like i said ill upgrade video card, and monitor and stuff of that sort later on.

 

[TCS_Timmeh]

Best answer selected by TCS_Timmeh.