Which CPU?

[Phantom25]

Im considering buying either one of these CPUs, which one would be better at games?

- AMD Phenom II X3 710 (95W) Triple-Core Socket AM3, 2.6GHz, 7.5MB Cache
OR
- AMD Athlon II X4 630 (95W) Quad Core Socket AM3 , 2.8GHz, 2Mb Cache, 1800MHz HT, 45nm

 

[Sprtfan]

For games, I'd get a Phenom II 555. You might get lucky and have it unlock to a quad. If not, a duel core is as good as a quad for most games and you would get the benifit of 3.2Ghz

 

[Phantom25]

those 2 cpus up there are in my price range to consider aswell as this CPU:

- AMD Athlon II X2 250 (65W) Dual-Core Socket AM3, 3.0GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 45nm

 

[Phantom25]

so which from these 3 would be best to buy?

 

[TomGreen321]

I have the x4 630. If you get it, grab a cooler and it'll overclock nicely and there isn't anything it won't run. Even on stock cooling you can get 3.2 out of it.

 

[Kueller]

How good a deal the Phenom II 555 BE is depends on what motherboard you have to some extent, what are you planning on putting it in?

If your mobo supports ACC (710/750 Southbridge), go for the 555 BE.

Actually, considering your stated focus is games, the 555 is probably the way to go regardless, higher clock speed and L3 cache will both help in games more than an extra core or two at the moment.

 

[TomGreen321]

Buying a dual core at this point is just plain dumb. More and more games are utilizing 3 or more cores, and the lack L3 cache is negligible at best unless benchmarking. I would make the choice between the x3 710 or x4 620 if those are in your budget.

 

[rephormat]

Buying a dual core at this point is just plain dumb. More and more games are utilizing 3 or more cores, and the lack L3 cache is negligible at best unless benchmarking. I would make the choice between the x3 710 or x4 620 if those are in your budget.

Could you give me some examples of the games utilizing multi-cores as high as 3+? I'm curious because I just purchased a Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2Ghz. I didn't think the cores would really matter in gaming since much of the graphics is off-loaded to the GPU. My big games right now are FEAR, Dead Space, Bioshock 2, and Fallout 3.

 

[toyz72]

720x3 BE will hold up for awhile yet.

 

[trick0502]

i'd go 555. most (not all) seem to unlock to a quad. if your board supports those features i'd go 555. if it doesn't 720.

 

[StillFunkyB]

Another vote for 555. Your chances of unocking are good if your going with a decent motherboard.

If you really don't want to take a chance, spend $50 more and get a 955.

I really see no reason to go with either of the two you posted. This is just my opinion though.

 

[trick0502]

Another vote for 555. Your chances of unocking are good if your going with a decent motherboard.

If you really don't want to take a chance, spend $50 more and get a 955.

I really see no reason to go with either of the two you posted. This is just my opinion though.

the 955 is the safest and i would say smartest bet. that will be a solid cpu for a good amount of time. if you can spent the extra money i would.

 

[sirmonkey1985]

Could you give me some examples of the games utilizing multi-cores as high as 3+? I'm curious because I just purchased a Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2Ghz. I didn't think the cores would really matter in gaming since much of the graphics is off-loaded to the GPU. My big games right now are FEAR, Dead Space, Bioshock 2, and Fallout 3.

none that actually use quad cores correctly.. theres only a few games that require quad cores like GTA IV which is a console port and BFBC2 which uses cpu accelerated physX.. those two games benefit a lot from multi-core.. also running high end SLI/crossfire benefits from more then 2 cores above 3.2-3.4ghz..

 

[Roman79]

Could you give me some examples of the games utilizing multi-cores as high as 3+? I'm curious because I just purchased a Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2Ghz. I didn't think the cores would really matter in gaming since much of the graphics is off-loaded to the GPU. My big games right now are FEAR, Dead Space, Bioshock 2, and Fallout 3.

The big one that comes to mind is Battlefield: Bad Company 2. It requires a dual core cpu, and they recommend a quad.
Don't quote me on this, but I think Mass Effect 1 & 2 use at least dual core (ME1 pins both my cores at 100% when I play).

I know there are at least a few more notable titles, but I can't think of them right now.

I have a bunch of new parts on the way, including a PII 555

 

[J Macker]

I just bought an Athlon II x3 440 @ 3.0Ghz from Frys with a micro-atx MSI 785G motherboard for $90. I read that it trades blows with the Phenom II 720 BE in games and the price was definitely right. I'll be installing some games on it this weekend.

 

[ordovician]

Buying a dual core at this point is just plain dumb. More and more games are utilizing 3 or more cores, and the lack L3 cache is negligible at best unless benchmarking. I would make the choice between the x3 710 or x4 620 if those are in your budget.

According to our database, you have a 2/3 chance of getting an unlockable processor. Those are pretty good odds. Also, L3 cache makes a very noticeable difference in games. You want it.

Could you give me some examples of the games utilizing multi-cores as high as 3+? I'm curious because I just purchased a Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition 3.2Ghz. I didn't think the cores would really matter in gaming since much of the graphics is off-loaded to the GPU. My big games right now are FEAR, Dead Space, Bioshock 2, and Fallout 3.

Almost all new games coming out support quads, and are noticeably smoother on CPUs that have at least 3 cores.

 

[trick0502]

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-cores-performance,2373-9.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/multi-core-cpu,2280-10.html

games do use more then 2 cores.