Best Intel Processor for gaming?

Question

Okay.. Here my question. What is the best Intel processor for gaming? Pentium 4? Pentium D? Core Duo? Or Core 2 Duo?

I'm planing to get Core 2 Duo 1.8Ghz (around that I guess) on ASUS Motherboard, 1Gb RAM, 250Gb HDD, 512Mb ATI Radeon X1600.

Which one better? Pentium 4 3Ghz or Core 2 Duo 1.8Ghz? or even Pentium D with 3 Ghz? I want to have a processor with around $250 (means Core 2 Duo 2.someting) or between $150-$200.

Some one give me answers please. I not so up-to-dated since I'm not in the US anymore. And I'm so busy working. Give a compare chart of processor which good with my budget.

What I have choose it cost $980. (as above spec I show up there plus a DVD+/-R and Logitech Inputs plus LCD 17").

Thanks.

I'm planing to use Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86Ghz, ASUS or DFI or MSI Motherboard, 1Ghz RAM Corsair or Kingston, 250Gb HDD, 512Mb ATI Radeon X1600, DVD+/-R, 17" LCD monitor, Logitech input device. For $980. Good price?

Answer 1

Pentium D will outperform a regular Pentium 4 at the same clock speed. But not by much.

Core 2 Duo vs Pentium D/Pentium 4 is a difficult question. I have no Core 2 Duo compuer for myself yet, but from the information that I have C2D&1.8 is definitely better than P4&3.0 You probably had to go for P4&3.4 to get similar level of performance.

I'm sure that Core 2 Duo is the best choise today. Only make sure that your motherboard will be compatible with this processor.

Answer 2

We use Pentium D in the HP media center and it's fantastic for games like Age of Mythology, Imperial Glory & many other things that use a lot of graphics

Answer 3

I personally like the P4 dual core, but that is only part of your problem. You need a great video card and at least a gig of memory.

spend time looking for those two things and I believe you will have a better gaming experience.