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CPU+Processor Question

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
D3ath3nat0r
Profile Joined October 2010
United States163 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-12-24 01:58:44
December 23 2010 23:02 GMT
#1
I have the EVGA Nvidia GTX 460 1024 MB 256 Bit Graphics Card
What processor should I get so I can be able to run Ultra smoothly even in late game?
Please give me recommendations and what is the least amount of GHz I need for the CPU in order to be able to run Ultra smoothly and with firefox open in the background.

mother board is MSI NF750-G55 AM3 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
but can switch if needed
Nothing
taylorb123
Profile Joined December 2010
United States9 Posts
December 23 2010 23:12 GMT
#2
I have a 4850 and an i7 920 @3.6GHz and don't ever get any studders. But, even when it was at stock (2.8GHz) I didn't have any problems either. So, I personally would get an i7, as they're pretty beefy (and most overclock well, if you're into that!)
D3ath3nat0r
Profile Joined October 2010
United States163 Posts
December 23 2010 23:18 GMT
#3
I am wanting to spend $100-$200 on it, not sure to get like an i5 or an amd, and were you on ultra?
Nothing
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
December 23 2010 23:23 GMT
#4
You need to tell us your current motherboard for us to recommend any processors.
decafchicken
Profile Blog Joined January 2005
United States20136 Posts
December 23 2010 23:24 GMT
#5
I have an amd phenom ii x4 955 that runs sc2 on ultra ez pz w/ a 1gb 460
how reasonable is it to eat off wood instead of your tummy?
TheUberMango
Profile Joined December 2010
United States77 Posts
December 23 2010 23:25 GMT
#6
I use an Intel Quad Core 2.4 and ATI 5870 1gb, and I think the processor is holding me back from running Ultra. High has SOME FPS drops in late game, so I'm forced to run medium. I have 4 GB ram, so I think that's enough. Yeah, Quad Core is definitely not the best processor choice for StarCraft 2, but then again I bought my computer before SC2 came out =D.
Fear the mango! update, ok I honestly didn't know there was a mod named Mango when I made this
taylorb123
Profile Joined December 2010
United States9 Posts
December 23 2010 23:37 GMT
#7
I run on ultra, yes... an i5 would be good too, but like skyR said, what's your motherboard, then we can recommend from there... or really, what are your entire system specs, and we can go from there
RebirthOfLeGenD
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
USA5860 Posts
December 23 2010 23:49 GMT
#8
I would say the i5-750 if you prefer Intel, or a Phenom II x4 955/965 BE. Both are fine and can OC really high. The Phenom's are 3.2/3.4 default with unlocked multiplier while the i5 is 2.8, I don't think the multiplier is unlocked on it though, I seem to remember only extreme editions are unlocked with Intel iirc? I don't know much about Intel specifically though. I just bought a Phenom II x4 970 which is 3.5ghz. I'd give you a review but my mobo is shot and am still waiting for a new one

In short, anything quad core should do the trick. The 955's are around 145, 965 are about $160 and a 970 is 180$

although I wouldn't say the difference is huge between the three. Just OC the processor if you need more, the only reason I got the 970 was because it came with darksiders for free and I figured why not.
http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/DarksidersGame/index.html?cm_sp=tab_Computer-Hardware-_-AMD/DarksidersGame-_-http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/DarksidersGame/118x118.gif
And I think it gets a 10$ gift card with it right now.
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RebirthOfLeGenD
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
USA5860 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-12-23 23:57:02
December 23 2010 23:50 GMT
#9
Actually yeah, awesome. A 10$ coupon and a free video game!
edit: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/294010-28-good-reviews
from random thing I read on the internet, apparently the Phenom's perform better in gaming.
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GeneralZap
Profile Joined January 2008
United States172 Posts
December 23 2010 23:58 GMT
#10
AMD = More band for buck.

PERIOD.

i7's are expensive as freaking caviar.

I recommend an AMD X4 Black Edition processor, or maybe one of the cheaper Six core processors. Here, look at http://www.tigerdirect.com.
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html is a great place to compare the processors.

The six core AMD Phenom II X6 1090T, is about 230$ and a very good deal.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7026003&CatId=4431
Death has lost its sting.
Riskymilk
Profile Joined November 2010
30 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-12-24 00:06:00
December 24 2010 00:04 GMT
#11
Well, I say run high as ultra is a waste of power with little performance increase (pointless) over high, but each to their own. Need to know whether your mobo has an AMD or Intel socket, plus which number. Unless you plan on buying a new mobo depending on the socket.
AMD : Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition $144
Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition $185
Intel : Core i5-760 $205
If you are planning to buy an Intel CPU I would wait until mid-late January for the new Sandy-Bridge ones. Look very promising.
hoborg
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States430 Posts
December 24 2010 00:17 GMT
#12
1. The clock speed "GHz" isn't a universal scale of how well a processor performs, it actually tells you pretty much jack shit unless you're comparing two of the same model. You need to look at benchmarks to tell how CPUs compare to each other.
2. Unlike graphics cards, there are many different types of motherboard sockets for CPUs, so you can't just get any CPU and assume it will fit into your system. Free software like CPU-Z can tell you what model of motherboard you have, and then you can look up what CPUs are compatible with your motherboard. The other option is to buy a new motherboard as well.
3. You can probably play SC2 on Ultra with any CPU in the $100-150 range as long as you aren't getting ripped off. Check benchmarks if you want to get the most bang for the buck, though.
blbl | CJ and ACE fighting!
mav451
Profile Joined May 2010
United States1596 Posts
December 24 2010 00:45 GMT
#13
On December 24 2010 08:02 D3ath3nat0r wrote:
I have the EVGA Nvidia GTX 460 1024 MB 256 Bit Graphics Card
What processor should I get so I can be able to run Ultra smoothly even in late game?
Please give me recommendations and what is the least amount of GHz I need for the CPU in order to be able to run Ultra smoothly and with firefox open in the background.


The most important questions are resolution, followed by game size. You haven't mentioned either once in this thread. If you only play ladder games, you could get away with a PhII I guess. Any larger games, you should consider a Lynnfield though.
With no power comes no responsibility?
Twitches
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada365 Posts
December 24 2010 01:07 GMT
#14
Just get a mid range AMD processor. I have a 2.5ghz overclocked to 3ghz and it's more than fine for me.
Gravity is just a feeble plot.
Straught
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Mexico157 Posts
December 24 2010 01:17 GMT
#15
On December 24 2010 08:49 RebirthOfLeGenD wrote:
I would say the i5-750 if you prefer Intel, or a Phenom II x4 955/965 BE. Both are fine and can OC really high. The Phenom's are 3.2/3.4 default with unlocked multiplier while the i5 is 2.8, I don't think the multiplier is unlocked on it though, I seem to remember only extreme editions are unlocked with Intel iirc? I don't know much about Intel specifically though. I just bought a Phenom II x4 970 which is 3.5ghz. I'd give you a review but my mobo is shot and am still waiting for a new one

In short, anything quad core should do the trick. The 955's are around 145, 965 are about $160 and a 970 is 180$

although I wouldn't say the difference is huge between the three. Just OC the processor if you need more, the only reason I got the 970 was because it came with darksiders for free and I figured why not.
http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/DarksidersGame/index.html?cm_sp=tab_Computer-Hardware-_-AMD/DarksidersGame-_-http://promotions.newegg.com/AMD/DarksidersGame/118x118.gif
And I think it gets a 10$ gift card with it right now.


Extending on this, Intel's sandybridge microarchitecture will be launched on Jan 9. This will give you two options, buy the new, better generation of processors or buy the old, but still great gen, for much less.

Now I would recommend the i5-760, since it has a higher stock clock, which causes it to overclock better, it's essentially the same processor but with a higher clock, which benefits you if you don't want to overclock, and if you do, it gives you a higher multiplier.
D3ath3nat0r
Profile Joined October 2010
United States163 Posts
December 24 2010 02:40 GMT
#16
hmm should i get the amd 945,955,965,or 970?
Nothing
darkponcho
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States262 Posts
December 24 2010 02:47 GMT
#17
I have the amd 965 and GTX470 and I never feel slow at all...
life
Riskymilk
Profile Joined November 2010
30 Posts
December 24 2010 03:33 GMT
#18
I would just get the 955.
jazzyjazz
Profile Joined October 2010
941 Posts
December 24 2010 05:50 GMT
#19
Hey OP, I would just get the phenom II 955. With the AMD black edition line, you could easily overclock the 955 to 970 performance levels and save $40 or so in the process. And make sure you stick with the AM3 processors and the not the intel ones (ie i5's) since they won't be compatible with your motherboard.
Eat emmmmmmmmmm
D3ath3nat0r
Profile Joined October 2010
United States163 Posts
December 24 2010 05:51 GMT
#20
thanks for info and whats OP? in Hey OP, could you recommend some heatsink and fans for overclocking
Nothing
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