Help with gaming pc

[KingCrump3t]

Hello, i'm a n00b to tom's hardware. I have a budget of building a mid end gaming pc... i have 2 big options.
I can either buy a phenom II x4 965 with a sapphire 6870, which is the cheaper of the two options. Or for £50, a 2500k with a 6850. I am interested in playing games like Arma 2, diablo 3, starcraft 2, Guild wars 2 and upcoming games like crysis 3. I am fully aware that many people say the 2500k is better, but which system will be better for gaming on the games i have specified. Thanks, Jack.

 

[nsouter853]

It sounds as if you are looking at 2 pre-built or "barebones" kits. Why not select all the components yourself?

I really suggest that you don't settle for an AMD processor for gaming. In the long run, the Intel will serve you much better. Even if you can a graphics card a step up with an AMD chip, it's a hell of a lot easier to upgrade your graphics card later on than your CPU, so you should try to get the best CPU you can (2500k/3570k for gaming) on the initial purchase.

I would recommend getting a Radeon 7770 graphics card instead of a 6850. It has about the same performance (+/-5% max.) for about the same price but is newer tech and uses less power.

What is your overall budget for the gaming rig?

 

[amuffin]

i5+6850.

 

[lazyboy947]

The 965 is a great budget cpu, but for the little bit worse 6850 and the i5, it will prob be the best choice, maybe a 965 and 7850, but overall cpu performance the i5 blows the 965 out of the water.

 

[aokigahara]

I'd say that the i5 is a much better option. AMD might be a lot cheaper, but that's because they aren't as advanced as Intel. Like said above, switching your GPU is a lot easier then switching your CPU down the road.

So you might not get all the eye-candy in the beginning with a slightly lower GPU, but the CPU will always pay off.

i5 it is.

 

[1depp1]

buy i5 2500K paired with 6850, you will be pleased, and have a cup of tea by then....

 

[cybergeek55]

Hello, i'm a n00b to tom's hardware. I have a budget of building a mid end gaming pc... i have 2 big options.
I can either buy a phenom II x4 965 with a sapphire 6870, which is the cheaper of the two options. Or for £50, a 2500k with a 6850. I am interested in playing games like Arma 2, diablo 3, starcraft 2, Guild wars 2 and upcoming games like crysis 3. I am fully aware that many people say the 2500k is better, but which system will be better for gaming on the games i have specified. Thanks, Jack.

Like others here have suggested, I seriously suggest you build your own PC including an INTEL processor. I say this from my personal experience, in the longer run whether its for gaming or general usage. Intel is better.
cpu holder

 

[KingCrump3t]

hahahha i just decided to splash out and get the 6870 and the 2500k. Thanks guys.

 

[KingCrump3t]

Best answer selected by KingCrump3t.

 

[KingCrump3t]

Also, i was not looking at a barebones package, i AM building it myself :L