Which CPU is better for gaming? i3-2120 or X4 960GT?

[enc643]

The i3 is a dual core, and the AMD one is a quad core. The AMD one can be unlocked to six cores, and overclocked. The i3 can not be overclocked.

I have people told me that the i3 is better for gaming, is this true, and if so, why?

 

[deadjon]

The i3's architecture is vastly superior to the 960T.

Games these days use between 1 and 4 Cores, with the vast majority using 2 or 3.

The i3 has Hyperthreading which allows each of its processor cores to handle 2 threads, giving it the ability to handle 4 threads almost as efficiently as a true quad.

Its also based on a lucrative platform, as the LGA1155 platform still has until 2013 to be fully supported with new CPUs and new features. With Ivy Bridge just round the corner you could see yourself with an i7 3770K down the road without changing your motherboard. The most you'll get out of AM3 is a Bulldozer FX-8150, which as you may of heard, is not the top chip for price/performance.

Here are some benchmarks pitting the i3 against the Phenom IIs

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,review-32368-3.html

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,review-32368-4.html

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,review-32368-5.html

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,review-32368-6.html

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,review-32368-7.html

Enjoy your i3 bro

 

[g-unit1111]

Its also based on a lucrative platform, as the LGA1155 platform still has until 2013 to be fully supported with new CPUs and new features. With Ivy Bridge just round the corner you could see yourself with an i7 3770K down the road without changing your motherboard. The most you'll get out of AM3 is a Bulldozer FX-8150, which as you may of heard, is not the top chip for price/performance.

Yes - the FX-8150 is not a good choice when it's outperformed by a CPU that costs $70. :lol:

As someone who owns a computer with said CPU, I will say that the i3-2120 hands down, I upgraded my system to an i3-2120 from a Phenom II and couldn't be happier with the end result - it's probably the best computer I've ever owned.