Dual Core Intel Processor
 

I'm looking into buying a new processor for my computer. Right now I have an Intel Pentium D, I contacted Gateway and they told me that I can only buy processors compatible with Socket T (LGA 775) in my motherboard, which totally rules out AMD.

This leaves me with having to buy an Intel Processor. Since I mostly use my computer to play video games, I need something powerfull. And that something is a multi core processor.

Ive looked around but was left dazed and confused as to what is what and how well it performs, so I need help finding the best Intel Dual Core processor for the price range of 200-250 dollars.

Now, I realise processors aren't everything. I have a 500 dollar budget for my computer upgrades. Give or take around 50 dollars under special circumstances. Since i'm spending around 200 dollars on my processor, i will be upgrading my Radeon X800 to something better (around 200-250 dollars as well), with Pixel Shader 3.0 support. And whatever money I have left will go towards more RAM.

Any suggestions are more then welcome, but this question is mostly about a new processor, since I know virtually nothing about those.

Finally getting rid of a X800? I yet to have gotten rid of mine yet..desperatley need to though :(.

Anyways the E6750 for $200 is probably the best price/performance ratio Core 2 Duo out.

And for a video card, what games do you plan to be playing?

One other thing though, do you know your Power Supply? If it isn't powerful enough you may have to upgrade it aswell.

My Power Supply is 300 Watt. I couldn't find anything about the processor's requirements though.

For gaming, you don't really need to upgrade. If you do upgrade, then as SteVen said Core 2 Duo is the way to go. However, it would be helpful to know which motherboard you have. Not all motherboards that support the Pentium D support the Core 2 Duo as well.

You should upgrade your Power supply so you can have more power for a more power hungry video card.

I think it would be much easier if i could just post my system specs. Do you guys know of any free detecting software? Anything really.

As for the games I plan to play... Im gonna stick to Battlefield 2\2142, it'd be nice if i could run those on full graphics. The last two games i bought (and stopped at that) were Supreme Commander and S.T.A.L.K.E.R., both of which ran so miserably I decided it's not even worth my time. Other than that I play CS:Source, and a couple other source games, as well as REALLY old stuff like Fallout. There are a couple new games I wanted to play but can't because of my graphics card, specifically Spider-Man 3, and Splinter Cell: Double Agent. Plus there are a coule games soon to come out that im looking forward to playing, and with my current setup, cant.

I'm actually kind of confused as to Pentium D... Is it a god damned dual core or not?
When I run the gateway detector it says i have Pentium 4, yet i bought the computer advertised as with Pentium D, and that's what it says on the computer itself. And if D is a dual core, it sure doesn't seem to perform like one... What's the difference between Pentium D and Core 2 Duo?

There's one called CPU-Z for detecting what kind of cpu you have.

All Pentium D processors are dual core, all Pentium 4 processors are single core. In short, Core 2 Duos are the replacement for the Pentium 4/D processors. They're considerably faster, but the processor isn't really that important in games.

I disagree the CPU is the second most importand for gaming.
Bioshock for example you need a Core 2 Duo to run it at a good pace.

I can run Bioshock on my 5600X2 and 8600GTS and 2x 1GB PC6400 with no problems. Or are you referring to Intel CPU's only?

Blindwatchmaker

how much system memory do you have?

What speed or model is your CPU?

DO NOT GET ANY INTEL DUAL CORE CPU that starts with E4 anything. It is my understanding that these are repackaged Pentium D's that Intel is trying to pawn off as economy processors.

You can download 3D MARK 2006 free version, install it, start it and on right in System bo click on details button and it will tell you what your CPU, video card and RAM is.

IMHO...

You should try to get to 2GB of RAM

Any dual core CPU over 2.6GHz is pretty good. Since you already have a Pentium D a new CPU is the last place I would spend. I think you will see the most difference with new RAM and a good video card.

A good video card. Since your on a budget I recommend the MSI 8600GTS for $159 or a ATI HD 2600XT (but get the GDDR4 version)

Hmmm lets see

$90 fro RAM
$160 for video card
$90 for a good PSU

Your at $340.