which is better for a gaming pc?

which is better for pc gaming? intel icore 7 or amd phenom II quad core?

I'd have to go with Phenom II, because it costs less and if you only need it for gaming, then go AMD.

If you are doing more hardcore stuff, then save a little extra and get the i7.

which is better for pc gaming? intel icore 7 or amd phenom II quad core?

diablo2602

Currently, you don't need more than Duel Cores for gaming. So, you could save a little cash with a duel core or X2. The Phenom II 555 X2 has unlocked cores (edit correction: by unlocked cores I meant to say multipliers... Although, it is possible to unlock the 2 disabled cores, too; but it's a complete gamble whether or not the locked cores are actually stable enough to use.), even though it's not a Black Edition.

What you need for gaming is the highest Ghz rating for the CPU that you can afford., the fastest Video card you can afford and about 2GB of System Ram for WinXP and 4GB for the other two OS's. (Also don't bother with 32 bit on those other two OS's... if you're going to use 32 bit, just stay with WinXP.)

[QUOTE="diablo2602"]

which is better for pc gaming? intel icore 7 or amd phenom II quad core?

swehunt

I kinda have to agree with this. If you're asking what the hottest thing is right now, it's the core i7. But a core i5 or Phenom II would be able to handle just about anything on the market right now as well, and for less money.

[QUOTE="diablo2602"]

which is better for pc gaming? intel icore 7 or amd phenom II quad core?

swehunt

Gaming wise they are pretty close in performance but the i7 is the overall better cpu.One feature I personally like about the X58 Mobo is the ability to use SLI or Crossfire.

[QUOTE="swehunt"][QUOTE="diablo2602"]

which is better for pc gaming? intel icore 7 or amd phenom II quad core?

GhoX

Have a MicroCenter near you? Buy an i7 930 for $200. Otherwise a Phenom II x4 will do you just fine.

Phenom 2s are a cheap alternative, but they still play games great.

[QUOTE="swehunt"][QUOTE="GhoX"] In gaming however, the "alot better" is between 1-3%. If getting PII X4 means you will be able to get a much superior graphics card, you will benefit much more in the end.millerlight89

The Intel i7 is not really all that much better. If I had a limited budget I had much rather have a slightly less powerful CPU and spend more on the GPU. You really stated nothing of useful information. To me it seems you are just an Intel Fanboy.

What?

Can you read again what i wrote, the i7 are much better in terms of performance but yeah it's more pricey, personally i dont think theyre worth it since i rather spend it on a gpu instead.

The i7 are still stronger than the PH2 even if the price is a diffrence, just as the gtx480 are stronger than the HD5870, even if Fermi has it's setbacks and i won't recomend it to anyone it is better in therms of raw performance the same goes to the better i7.

Even the C2Q are better than the PH2 if you compare them clock for clock, what makes the PH2 great is tha price of the BE and the high clocks they offer so thay are very compettitive. If had a CPU intencive game there would be a great diffrence between them (i7 vs. PH2), most games do not tax the CPU that hard but if you look at low resolutions with a strong GPU the i7's beat the PH2 by almoust 20-30% in various games, thats quite a diffrence from the 1-3% gox guessed on.

Who cares about Intel and AMD, i only want to state the truth.

...so i7 980X vs. PH2 X4 965BE who wins?

Thats a healthy 25% diffrence in Left for dead according to Tom's CPU chart.

I do recomend the PH2 over the pricey i7 but it's still not a better gaming CPU!

Get the i5, its THE best gaming CPU and it costs only a little bit more than the Phenom II X4's...what a bargain!

Low resolution comparison is hardly relevant to decision-making. It's relevant to benchmarks, but not this particular decision.

I threw out 1-3% since that's the most the TC would experience in gaming, considering that with his budget out there he certainly won't be getting a weak graphics card nor play on low resolution. Most games hardly use quad, and some don't even use duo, I personally won't hesitate suggesting a Core 2 Duo if the price difference to PIIx4 is greater.

No matter how fast i7 is, if no game is going to unleash its potential, all that potential is nothing but a waste and it'd be hardly different from a PII x4 when it comes down to actual gaming.

EDIT: By the way, when people refer to "i7", it's usually only meant for "i7 920". Anything above that is a waste.

Currently, you don't need more than Duel Cores for gaming. So, you could save a little cash with a duel core or X2. The Phenom II 555 X2 has unlocked cores, even though it's not a Black Edition.

What you need for gaming is the highest Ghz rating for the CPU that you can afford., the fastest Video card you can afford and about 2GB of System Ram for WinXP and 4GB for the other two OS's. (Also don't bother with 32 bit on those other two OS's... if you're going to use 32 bit, just stay with WinXP.)

Threesixtyci

If you can afford an i7 why would you have a low resolution monitor? Seems a stupid point to me. Unless you're spending way over £1000 you'd be much better getting a Phenom II and buying a better graphics card.

you'd be much better getting a Phenom II and buying a better graphics card.

kraken2109

:roll:

Low resolution comparison is hardly relevant to decision-making. It's relevant to benchmarks, but not this particular decision... By the way, when people refer to "i7", it's usually only meant for "i7 920" Anything above that is a waste.

GhoX

Gaming wise they are pretty close in performance but the i7 is the overall better cpu.One feature I personally like about the X58 Mobo is the ability to use SLI or Crossfire.

MerckmanX