Best Quad-Core for a budget build?

BurningSkyline

New Member
Just curious of what the best quad-core would be for a budget build. Or I was also thinking about tri-cores and unlocking a 4th core if possible?
 
Just curious of what the best quad-core would be for a budget build. Or I was also thinking about tri-cores and unlocking a 4th core if possible?

Intel quads are better, but far more pricey, the cheapest Intel quad you can get from the current generation (LGA1156/1366) would be the i5-750. (about £140) whereas with AMD, their cheapest quad at stock is the Athlon II X4 6**. Although with the core unlocker feature (on some more expensive motherboards), you can get an Athlon II X3 and even an X2 to unlock to a quad. (You can do it manually too, but that process is Extremely tedious and is not recommended for first-time builders/novices) Though if this is your first build, I would advise going with an Athlon II X4 635, as then you can cheap it out with the Mobo. Be aware that games and other applications rarely take advantage of all 4 cores anyway.
 
Lol, I have a 635 and it's nice for the money, I was MEANT to have a GTX 460 today but somebody has cocked up at the post office... delivered to the wrong address or something. tracking # says delievered :mad:
 
^ Fail :(

The 635 is definitely one of the better bargains on the market right now. It's available with C3 stepping...look for that. The model number should end with "GMBOX", or just "GM" on OEM versions.
 
Lol, I have a 635 and it's nice for the money, I was MEANT to have a GTX 460 today but somebody has cocked up at the post office... delivered to the wrong address or something. tracking # says delievered :mad:
Man, that really bites.


Generally speaking for gaming, the Phenom II X4 945 has been the best value for money here in the states at ~$139 for a C3 stepping, although the Athlon II X4's are good as well(The Phenoms L3 cache can really help while gaming though).
 
Man, that really bites.


Generally speaking for gaming, the Phenom II X4 945 has been the best value for money here in the states at ~$139 for a C3 stepping, although the Athlon II X4's are good as well(The Phenoms L3 cache can really help while gaming though).
what about future proofing? Along the lines of the 635, and the 945.
not to mention, the 460 as well. (768mb or 1GB version.. I don't know.)
 
what about future proofing? Along the lines of the 635, and the 945.
not to mention, the 460 as well. (768mb or 1GB version.. I don't know.)

Not really any such thing as future proofing, if you are looking for it to stay as modern for as long as possible, i'd suggest looking into the 1055T. The Phenom II X4 945 though is still going to be more "future proof" than the athlon due to its higher current level of performance though.

Read your other thread on the 768 vs 1024 question.
 
But do modern applications, and games utilize all six cores of the 1055T?
All I plan to do is some gaming, video editing, etc.

(Vegas 7, I want my brother to let me have AE Cs4...)
 
You can't look at programs now, though. A 1055T will still be useful down the road, when heavy multithreading finally comes into play.
 
Most only utilise *on average* 3, but the 6 will give your system more breathing room

Most games either utilize two, or four, the six core cpu's are gonna be more useful down the road vs right now.

;) The only game I know that uses all 4 cores (being highly CPU-dependent) is GTA4, though there are lots of applications that do. (mainly video/photo editing suites, right?) Most games will get a huge fps jump from 1-2 cores, and usually from 2-3.
Although like bomber said we'll be sure to be seeing games that utilise more cores further down the road.
 
;) The only game I know that uses all 4 cores (being highly CPU-dependent) is GTA4, though there are lots of applications that do. (mainly video/photo editing suites, right?) Most games will get a huge fps jump from 1-2 cores, and usually from 2-3.
Although like bomber said we'll be sure to be seeing games that utilise more cores further down the road.

Simulators are very processor intensive as far as I personally know, so would It be best to go with a Tri or Quad Core?
 
I agree with Bomberboysk. The Phenom II 945 Quad-Core is a great buy. I am using a Phenom II 940 Quad-Core Processor and I am not disappointed at all with its processing power.
 
Simulators are very processor intensive as far as I personally know, so would It be best to go with a Tri or Quad Core?

Many simulators especially make use of multiple cores.


;) The only game I know that uses all 4 cores (being highly CPU-dependent) is GTA4, though there are lots of applications that do. (mainly video/photo editing suites, right?) Most games will get a huge fps jump from 1-2 cores, and usually from 2-3.
Although like bomber said we'll be sure to be seeing games that utilise more cores further down the road.
Flight Sim X, Lost Planet, DMC4, Bioshock(any UE3 game really), Crysis, and thats not even half of it...
 
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Many simulators especially make use of multiple cores.



Flight Sim X, Lost Planet, DMC4, Bioshock(any UE3 game really), Crysis, and thats not even half of it...

I plan on playing Games Like FSX, Ship Sim 08 and Extremes when that comes out, X-Plane, Rail Simulator, etc. GTA:VC, GTA:SA, GTA4, etc.
I mostly play Racing games and shooters but yeah :P
 
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