CPU for Gaming

[josh5021]

Hello everyone, I'm in the market for a CPU for gaming. Currently I'm having a cpu built and looking for the parts. I'm looking to spend around $150.00 for the cpu. I'm really interested in the AMD XP 3000 (400 Fsb), which I can get for $151.00. Could I get away with something a litte cheaper or should I get a 64 Bit processor? Any help will be appriciated.

[washe]

Well on my opinion...... if you want to get a new system NOW.... then a AMD XP 3000 will suffice, if you can wait some time and see how the 64 bit processor market evolves, right now you have the processor but the software is not yet optimized to use it.

and right now PCI Express is coming soon and that will bring down a whole new set of video cards, getting lower prices on current high end cards.

[HeadBand]

If you are going to go 64 bit wait a few months for it to become more supported

currently i wouldn't spend so much for a 3000+ get a 2500 for like $80 and put the rest of the budget to a different part of the system...if you want you will also most likley be able to oc your 2500 to a 3200

[josh5021]

I was quoted a 2500xp for $91.00. I could get one online for $65.00. As for videocard what is PCI Express? Currently I have a 64MB video card (might be a voodoo). Should I wait for this PCI Express or buy a Radeon 9600? What would be a good videocard to play Warcraft, StarWars Battlefield, and future games for the time being? Thanks for the help guys.

[njolakoski]

If you can't wait, go with the Radeon 9600, this card will be good enough to play those games.

Plus when the PCI Express come out it's not going to be cheap.

[washe]

my point was wait for pci express..... not to get it right away but it will drop prices on current hardware.....

[DanGrease]

I wouldn't go for a 64-bit processor now since it isnt supported yet. If you're thinking of the future, then maybe going for a 64-bit CPU is a good idea. I would also ignore the PCI Express idea, go for an AGP video card instead.

dan

[blubomber]

The Athlon 3000+ is a good choice. Just make sure you get a motherboard with the nForce2 chipset that supports a 400MHz FSB. Dont worry about 64bit and PCI Express right now. when the new video cards to come out, there will be both AGP 8x and PCI Express versions available. And your 32bit CPU will still be good for a few years.

But you have to get rid of your 64MB "voodoo" card and get an ATI card. You can get a 9800pro for around $200 that will go good with your CPU and have no problems running the games you want to play.

Here is an article on PCI Express, http://www.anandtech.com/systems/showdoc.html?i=1830

[njolakoski]

I would get the Athlon 2800+, theres a slight difference not really noticeable, check benchmark comparisons on this link:

http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/p...417233,00.html

[RamonGTP]

Best option would be to get a Mobile 2500+ or 2600+. Those things overclock to WELL past 3200+ speeds, and actually can be clocked fast enough to be competitive with the Athlon64 3200+

2.5GHz is not uncommon at all for the mobile.