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Active: 1710 users

Will an i3 2100 satisfy my need?

Forum Index > Tech Support
Post a Reply
Xplitcit
Profile Joined October 2010
United States419 Posts
June 12 2011 03:35 GMT
#1
I want to stay low on budget for my computer build and I've decided on getting an i3 2100. However, I don't know if it will be enough for future games such as mw3 and bf3. If a game utilizes 4 cores, will the i3 2100 still be viable?
It aint easy being crazy
epikAnglory
Profile Blog Joined April 2011
United States1120 Posts
June 12 2011 03:40 GMT
#2
You will still be able to play the game decently, at what setting though, I cannot be sure. On low (and possibly medium) you should be doing ok, but after that you should start seeing some problems. Multitasking will also nearly be impossible (such as streaming or Fraps) since it is a dual core. The others depend on your graphics card and such. Just because a game utilizes all four cores does not mean a dual core will suck at the game, it just will not be as fast. i3 should have faster cores than MOST quad-cores out there, so the main problem will probably just be multitasking.
710+ Posts with a Probe Icon =D
Greek820
Profile Joined December 2010
Canada210 Posts
June 12 2011 03:46 GMT
#3
On June 12 2011 12:40 iTzAnglory wrote:
You will still be able to play the game decently, at what setting though, I cannot be sure. On low (and possibly medium) you should be doing ok, but after that you should start seeing some problems. Multitasking will also nearly be impossible (such as streaming or Fraps) since it is a dual core. The others depend on your graphics card and such. Just because a game utilizes all four cores does not mean a dual core will suck at the game, it just will not be as fast. i3 should have faster cores than MOST quad-cores out there, so the main problem will probably just be multitasking.


dude what are you talking about..low - medium? he'll easily be able to play higher than that, and i believe you're underestimating the i3 2100, he'll be able to even stream
(>^.^)>~~~ Phenom ii x4 955, Gigabyte 6850, g.skill 4gb ripjaws, GA-880GA mobo, corsair cx500w, storm scout, WD 500gb blue
Jaxtyk
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States600 Posts
June 12 2011 03:51 GMT
#4
What about the GPU.
To tell the truth....I could beat anyone in the world.
Charger
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States2405 Posts
June 12 2011 03:55 GMT
#5
That processor will be good for some time to come and you should be able to play all modern games pretty well. If you want to post your build and budget it would be more helpful as I think bumping up to an i5 would be a better investment for about $60 more or so and maybe we could help you trim off some cash elsewhere to get this worked in. Your processor isn't the place to skimp if at all possible. Like I said though, the i3 2100 is a good dual core processor and should be just fine for a little while.
It's easy to be a Monday morning quarterback.
writer22816
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States5775 Posts
June 12 2011 04:14 GMT
#6
Yes. It will mostly come down to your GPU.
8/4/12 never forget, never forgive.
iloveroo
Profile Joined February 2009
Canada294 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 04:27:05
June 12 2011 04:26 GMT
#7
I currently have an i3-2100, and its awesome so far.. I do recommend getting it as does tomshardware:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2951-3.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859-10.html
The 2100 will last you for quite sometime, you can later then upgrade if you'd like at christmas time to an i5 (D3 will possibly be coming out in December or the beginning of next year)
The i3-2100 has hyperthreading, so it technically utilizes 4 cores, but its not as good as a true 4 core like an i5
MichaelEU
Profile Joined February 2011
Netherlands816 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 04:38:26
June 12 2011 04:34 GMT
#8
Here's a cpu-only test.



That's a stronger processor. It all depends on what resolution you play though, probably not full hd going by your budget. Streaming taxes the CPU so you'll be able to do that.

With a separate GPU, you'll be able to handle it just fine on probably any resolution.
世界を革命する力を!― znf: "Michael-oniichan ( *^▽^*)ノ✩キラ✩"
Myrmidon
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
United States9452 Posts
June 12 2011 04:35 GMT
#9
On June 12 2011 13:26 iloveroo wrote:
I currently have an i3-2100, and its awesome so far.. I do recommend getting it as does tomshardware:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2951-3.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859-10.html
the 2100 will last you for quite sometime, you can later then upgrade if you'd like at christmas time to an i5 (will possibly be coming out in dec to the beginning of next year)
The i3-2100 has hyperthreading, so it technically utilizes 4 cores, but its not as good as a true 4 core like an i5


I think what you're trying to say is that it can handle (the state of) four threads at once, not that it uses four cores.

Anyway, I agree with an i3-2100 being sufficient for most needs, particularly for gamers. Even if a game is threaded well enough such that more than two cores can be executing portions of the game simultaneously, it's not like you can always keep all the cores busy all the time. You won't get 100% more performance in a game by having twice as many cores.

As alluded to above, in many games with most graphics cards on higher graphics settings, the graphics card will be more of a limiting factor than the CPU.

Upgrading to an i5 in December doesn't make much sense. It'd be better to just get an i5 now, or wait about a full year until the next generation Ivy Bridge processors are available, which should be compatible with current motherboards.
a176
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada6688 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-12 05:12:01
June 12 2011 05:11 GMT
#10
On June 12 2011 12:35 Xplitcit wrote:
I want to stay low on budget for my computer build and I've decided on getting an i3 2100. However, I don't know if it will be enough for future games such as mw3 and bf3. If a game utilizes 4 cores, will the i3 2100 still be viable?


The issue is that most games don't really make use of more than 2 cores; and for those that can use more cores, they don't really max the cores either.

For example, the i3-2100 itself is as fast, or faster, than AMD's top end 6 core processor in virtually all games.

Maybe one day, game developers will make proper use of those extra cores ... maybe
starleague forever
XenOmega
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
Canada2822 Posts
June 12 2011 05:26 GMT
#11
And when that day happens, it is likely that the current multi core will be surpassed ^^
a176
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada6688 Posts
June 12 2011 05:29 GMT
#12
Could you also please just use one thread to ask all your questions?
starleague forever
Myrmidon
Profile Blog Joined December 2004
United States9452 Posts
June 12 2011 05:39 GMT
#13
On June 12 2011 14:29 a176 wrote:
Could you also please just use one thread to ask all your questions?


Hyperthreading?
a176
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada6688 Posts
June 12 2011 05:48 GMT
#14
On June 12 2011 14:39 Myrmidon wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 12 2011 14:29 a176 wrote:
Could you also please just use one thread to ask all your questions?


Hyperthreading?


omg, i lol'd
starleague forever
JingleHell
Profile Blog Joined March 2011
United States11308 Posts
June 12 2011 05:49 GMT
#15
On June 12 2011 14:39 Myrmidon wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 12 2011 14:29 a176 wrote:
Could you also please just use one thread to ask all your questions?


Hyperthreading?


Is that a self nomination for the hall of shame?
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