What processor should I get?

Question

My choices are a 3.2 ghz dual core or a 2.4 ghz quad core. What would be better for gaming? Also should I get AMD or Intel?

Answer 1

Go with the Q6600 quad. Make sure you get the new SLACR version with the G0 stepping and not the older SL9UM. Here's a review of the new SLACR quads
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3066
You can compare it with other cpus in this chart.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=871&model2=877&chart=435
People telling you to go with the core 2 duos need to tell that to the ones who own them and are trading them in for quads, i guess!

Answer 2

3.2Ghz dual core is most likely an outdated Pentium D940 or Pentium EE840. Forget them. They are just great space HEATERS at 130W TDP.
2.4Ghz quad is not that great for gaming. Get the Core 2 Duo E6850 (3.0 Ghz). Pair it with an ASUS P-35 mobo (Blitz Extreme) that is ddr3 capable and it should be awesome and unbeatable.
In benchmarks below, E6850 easily beats 2.4Ghz quad and any AMD dual core in games.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/intel/showdoc.aspx?i=3038&p=15

Answer 3

comparing Amd and Intel are like comparing apples to oranges

personally i have an AMD x2 6000+ and it performs very well

see.. right now AMD is aiming for budget gamers and their target is to satisfy them through the Price Vs Performance spectrum.

see most Amd chips are already made factory overclocked to its potential, thats why AMD chips are normally hotter than and INtel

a stock amd 6000+ 3.0 gig would obviously beat the e6600 at synthetic benchmarks .. and it only cost 169$

whereas a core 2 duo 2.6 conroe e6600 is at 2.4 ghz stock..
but can easily hit 3.0 ghz under stock cooling. sometimes even hit 3.2ghz stable

once its overclocked to 3.2 gig it'll beat the amd 6000+ by about 15%. but its up to you, if you dont know how to overclock, get the 6000+ if you know how to, then get hte e6600.

oh yeah the e6600 is priced at 229$ ... so if youre willing to pay .. 60 bucks more.. just for 15% better performanc ( which is not by much).. its not even noticable in gaming. ..then get the e6600

plus, amd motherboards are much cheaper to build as well. so take that in consideration :)

Answer 4

2.4 GHz quad core is better. If quad core intel is better, if dual core AMD is better.

Answer 5

hello..

AMD is definitely a good gaming processor, it has significant differences with the intel....3.2 Dual core's fine..

Answer 6

INTEL only, and for gaming i would stick to a core 2 duo cos quad jus doesnt do it for gaming, good for apps though