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Best gaming CPU for $170:
Phenom II X4 945
| Phenom II X4 945 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Deneb |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 4 |
| Clock Speed: | 3 GHz |
| Socket: | AM3 |
| L1 Cache: | 4 x 128KB |
| L2 Cache: | 4 x 512KB |
| L3 Cache: | 6MB |
| HyperTransport: | 4,000 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 125W |
With the introduction of the Phenom II X4 965 BE, we've seen the rest of the Phenom II X4 family drop in price. Happily, the Phenom II X4 945 is now $170 and makes for an easy recommendation with its four CPU cores and high operating frequency.
Best gaming CPU for $190: 3-way Tie
Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition (Check Prices)
| Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Deneb |
| Process: | 45 nm |
| CPU Cores: | 4 |
| Clock Speed: | 3.2 GHz |
| Socket: | AM3 |
| L1 Cache: | 4 x 128KB |
| L2 Cache: | 4 x 512KB |
| L3 Cache: | 6MB |
| HyperTransport: | 4,000 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 125W |
The former flagship of AMD's Phenom II line, the Phenom II X4 955 BE has been relegated to second place status by the new Phenom II X4 965 BE model. However, it's hard to recommend the Phenom II X4 965 when the 955 sports the same unlocked multiplier and a $50 cheaper price tag.
Core 2 Quad Q9400 (Check Prices)
| Core 2 Quad Q9400 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Yorkfield |
| Process: | 45 nm |
| CPU Cores: | 4 |
| Clock Speed: | 2.66 GHz |
| Socket: | LGA 775 |
| L2 Cache: | 2 x 3MB |
| Front Side Bus: | 1,333 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 95W |
The Core 2 Quad line is no slouch either, and tends to perform a little better than the Phenom II X4 when compared clock-for-clock. The Core 2 Quad Q9400 is a strong competitor for the Phenom II X4 955, and will overclock well despite its locked CPU multiplier.
Be careful once you get to this point, though. Intel's lone Core i5 processor is due in just a week and will purportedly be priced to compete under $200. If you're serious about performance, you might be better served by waiting to see how Intel's Lynnfield design fares.
- Core 2 Quad Core...
Core 2 Duo E8500 (Check Prices)
| Core 2 Duo E8500 | |
|---|---|
| Codename: | Wolfdale |
| Process: | 45nm |
| CPU Cores: | 2 |
| Clock Speed: | 3.16 GHz |
| Socket: | LGA 775 |
| L2 Cache: | 6MB |
| Front Side Bus: | 1,333 MHz |
| Thermal Envelope: | 65W |
We got a lot of negative feedback for this recommendation last month, but we re-checked the data and even found more reason to support this CPU's inclusion. The Core 2 Duo E8500 is, in fact, a powerful gaming processor. Any handicaps that this CPU might have by only offering two cores is compensated for by a very high 3.16 clock speed and 6MB of L2 cache. While a quad-core CPU is probably a better bet for multi-purpose use, this Wolfdale-based processor sports a low 65 watt thermal envelope, which makes the E8500 a good choice for a low-power gaming PC or gaming HTPC.
- Core 2 Duo E8500 Dual...
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Brave
I thought the flames might have scared you off.
Correction: you have E6300 in the gray area of the table for the E5300.
Heheh. Nah, I don't frighten easy.
Thanks, I'll look into that.
I fail to see the point of a gaming CPU. Beyond a certain point the difference in performance is under 1 frame.
I like that the E8500 made a showing. I wonder how this picture will change once the LGA1156 CPUs are widely available. It's too bad that AMD can't really compete in the +$200 market right now.
I fail to see the point of a gaming CPU. Beyond a certain point the difference in performance is under 1 frame.
Not true at all. Depends on the game, and wether or not that game is bottlenecked by the graphics card or CPU.
Frankly, I've been seeing a *lot* more CPU-limited games during my benchmarking over the past year.
Man I wish the Core 2 Quad prices were just a little lower
great review! much better than the first one IMO.
i liked that you thought about us OCers this time
Yup, great review, good job.
So, not quite sure why they have i7 920 for ~$280. I just bought mine @ Microcenter last week for $199.99 plus tax, $210 total. So, ok I had driven there so $5 for the gas, $215 total. They have loads of them in stock, and they will get you the D0 stepping if asked (First one they tried to sell me was a C0, but I asked them for D0 and they got me one no questions asked). I can see how some people may not have a Microcenter nearby, but hey, for a lot of people there is! I thought that should've been reflected in the article somehow, that's all...
Nice review, need i thought phenom 2 965 could be compared to Core 2 Quad Q9650 but seems i was wrong.
I like the fact that you mention LGA775 chips, and perhaps that would be the last time they're up on the list as they are getting phased out.
Too bad Core 2 Quads are still rather expensive for the performance. I guess my E7200 will just have to live on for another two years.
Good article, by the way!
The results are far better than the first one. Taking overclock-ability into consideration is good especially for the enthusiasts. Kudos!
"The motherboards and DDR3 RAM that the i7 architecture requires will bring the total platform cost higher than other systems, but the resulting performance should be worth the purchase price."
Agree.
I was hoping the author will focus a little more on the total system cost than just the CPU cost. This is the main reason why I got the q9550 and not the i7. But that was 6 months ago, maybe now the motherboard and DDR3 isn't as big a factor anymore. I'm also guessing min specs of games and apps in 4 years won't specify C2Q and i7 - just something like Min specs: Intel or AMD Quad/Hex/Oct core - 2.5+ Ghz.
my
Some people think every one lives next to a Microcenter.
Even though theese processors have been tested thoroughly before, but not necessarily against each other with latest drives, patches and whatnot, so some charts with a few game tests would make the article much more informative.
prices do not account for the fact that AMD mobos usually cost 30-60$ less than their intel equivalent.
The monthly update of the same thing is getting bored. Thanks god next gen is just around the corner and we'll see some big performance gain.
Can you believe what computer gaming would be like if that that crack from id's opinion is real; graphic hardware hit a wall and future improvement is on console.
Why did you guys not wait for the Lynnfield NDA to lift when it is being released in < 1 week?
Why did you guys not wait for the Lynnfield NDA to lift when it is being released in < 1 week?
Because we like to party every end of the month!