The best CPU for gaming/price?

I've decided to start a new budget gaming PC project. Since I don't really need a quad core (most games aren't optimized for it anyway and they run at lower speeds and higher prices), I've figured I would go for one of AMD's black edition CPUs. I'm not very familiar with Intel's CPUs (the last one I had was a 700mhz Celeron) and I've always used AMD, but I've noticed that the Intels tend to have quite good performance even at lower clocks according to benchmarks... I guess nowadays neither the number of cores nor the clock speed clearly indicate performance...

I've always held back on the CPU in the past, but evidently, it causes a bottleneck.

My current 2.2ghz Athlon X2 +4800 is a bit laggy in allot of games @ 1080p and the mobo that it sits on is AM2, so it's not very upgradable and offers no overclockability. I believe that it's the 2.2ghz holding back my framerates (especially in GTA4, I get like 10fps), as my 9800GT should be able to handle it.

So now I'm starting from scratch. I'll throw in my old 9800GT to save a few bucks.

Basically, I'd just like input on what type of CPU to get for no more than... $150, I suppose. That will indicate which mobo I'll get.

Looks like a good deal. I wasn't too crazy about quad cores, but it's never a bad idea for future-proofing, I suppose. The benches look nice, too, along with the clock speed. Lots of headroom.

another hearty option (considering you may have an am2+ cpu) is the last of the fleeting number of phenom x4's for like 100-120 bucks are again worth your time as it would probably save you having to rip that mobo out of their. however this is just an option and its assuming thats an am2+ socket cpu not am2

How come no one gives any love to the Phenom II X4 945?

For gaming and only gaming? i5 750.

However, remember that when it comes to a gaming PC the priority should be in this order: GPU > 4GB RAM > CPU > more than 4GB RAM

You should try get as decent a GPU as monetarily possible, 4 GB RAM, then get a somewhat decent CPU such as Core 2 Duo.

For gaming and only gaming? i5 750.

However, remember that when it comes to a gaming PC the priority should be in this order: GPU > 4GB RAM > CPU > more than 4GB RAM

You should try get as decent a GPU as monetarily possible, 4 GB RAM, then get a somewhat decent CPU such as Core 2 Duo.

GhoX

this can be mostly true at the same time one doesnt want a poor cpu so its best to never skimp out on a cpu.. and there is no 'best budget' cpu it all varies on what socket you already have/want

by socket heres my picks:

775:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115059

am2+:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103877

am3:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704

1136:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

1156:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215

[QUOTE="GhoX"]

For gaming and only gaming? i5 750.

However, remember that when it comes to a gaming PC the priority should be in this order: GPU > 4GB RAM > CPU > more than 4GB RAM

You should try get as decent a GPU as monetarily possible, 4 GB RAM, then get a somewhat decent CPU such as Core 2 Duo.

aura_enchanted

this can be mostly true at the same time one doesnt want a poor cpu so its best to never skimp out on a cpu.. and there is no 'best budget' cpu it all varies on what socket you already have/want

by socket heres my picks:

775:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115059

am2+:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103877

am3:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704

1136:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115202

1156:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215