im pretty well set on the type of cpu, amd 64 X2 5600+(2.9Ghz), or possibly a slower one in the same group. What would some advantages be of having a quad/tri core in a game like Crysis over the dual? I realize games dont really take advantage of them well, but i also saw something where a mobo might run faster with the X2+ processor. Am i interpreting this correctly at all or would the dual core be all i need?

**Note: i haven't purchased any parts yet.

^ Is this an upgrade? What is your graphics card?

If you don't already have a motherboard, the best current gaming CPU would be an Intel E8xxx series (or a Q9xxx series if you want quad, which will be faster in some games and slower in others).

sorry for not posting the whole system.**none of this has been purchased yet

Amd 64 X2 5600+ Brisbane (2.9GHz)
DFI LANPARTY DK 790FX-M2RS 790FX ATX AMD mobo
Corsair (2 X 2Gb) 240 pin 800 DDR2
Seagate Barracuda 250Gb 7200 rpm 3Gb/s SATA
Pioneer 20X DVD+-R DVD Burner
2 X Ati Radeon 4850 Pci ex 2.0X16
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W Power Supply

I'm pretty well set on going with AMD. I pretty much started the research with the graphics cards, then went from there. I noticed less arguing over which mobo's were best for crossfire with amd, and the amd 64 X2's seem to do pretty well with games, and with them i can get a pretty solid, low power card for $100. Im just having second thoughts as to whether using a phenom with AM2+ makes a difference since the 64 X2's only use AM2. I have a feeling the difference doesn't affect the performance, but that's what im here to find out.

If you haven't bought it yet, go for an Intel P45 based system (make sure the PCIE slots are PCIE 2.0 8x/8x when used for multiple cards if you want crossfire), or an X48. Trust me, there is nothing AMD has out right now that's even close to an E8400 in gaming, especially if you overclock the 8400 (3.6 is almost effortless, 4.0 should be quite achievable).

Here's a decent motherboard for crossfire for example - 2 PCIE 2.0 slots, both at X16 at all times: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813136047

Add an E8400 to that, and you will have an amazing gaming system with the crossfired 4850's.

I am in total agreement with the last poster.

I wanted to support AMD/ATI 21 months ago and I severely regret not getting an Intel Core2Duo.

I have a 5000 Black Edition clocked to 2.9 GHz which is basically a 5600. The performance is nothing to get excited about.

You would be much better off getting an e8400 or some other type of Core2Duo.

go with 5000+ black edition and 4850

overclock it

phenoms stink !

where does phenom come into this? oh wait it doesn't.

i own a 5600+ with a radeon 3850 and i agree with every thing cjl says.

i would recommend something like an e8400. i think you will feel the 5600+ to be quite underpowered compared to your gfx solution even when gaming.

if it REALLY must be amd then i'd head for a high end phenom or athlon

p.s. ocing my 5600+ to just 3.1Ghz shows quite an increase in fps with some games such as supreme commander forged alliance and all source games (and probably alot more games if i had a better gfx card or 2).

"amd gaming cpu"

title made me lol

Actually the OP did ask about a quad/tri core. Only quad/tri core I know of from AMD is Phenom.

To the OP, a quad/tri core will not do you much better in a game like Crysis. It would help as there would be 1 or 2 more free threads for other apps to use and Crysis is more dual core optimized than tri/quad. But since dual cores can OC to higher speeds a dual is a better option.

And what you have is at the high end of the spectrum really. Only thing you could do to go higher is get a Intel mobo and a E8400 since those can OC to 4GHz on air.

But as it is if you want to keep your current setup then what you have is one of your best options.

+1 for jeb1517

I think your CPU will be a bottleneck soon, you should go for a 6000+ Black Edition, with unlocked multiplier you can overclock it pretty well and this is probably the best AMD you can have for gaming. I personally have a 5000+ BE and pushed to 3.5GHz it can run everything pretty well, so i supose that the 6000+BE can make it better.
Don't forget to get a CPU cooler, as they are not supplied with BE CPU!

Newegg has a good deal right now on Phenom 9600 with a 4850 combo. I just picked it up and installed it. Comes to under $300 for both after rebate. I was going to go with an E7200 but decided this was a better deal. Plus I got a 780g board so when I'm done with it as a gaming computer, I can convert it to a HTPC.