March High-end Gaming PC Buyer's Guide - Page 2

AMD CPU: Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (2.2GHz) 1MB L2 Cache

Current Cost: $458
Months on list: 4
Price Change: -$39

Dual core processing is really the only viable desktop option these days, and with driver enhancements, multi-threaded game patches, and dual core software development ramping up, recommending anything else is rather shortsighted. On the AMD side, it's an easy choice, as clock speeds are closer to single core models, and prices are quite affordable. This month, we tried to add the Athlon 64 4600+ to the configuration, but it's still just a bit too expensive, and it would cost us too much performance in other areas, to make the call. So we're sticking with the Athlon 64 X2 4400+, which as its model number will attest, is not that far a step back from the 4600+.

The Athlon 64 X2 4400+ runs at 2.2 GHz and includes 1MB of L2 cache, which translates into single-threaded performance exceeding a 2.2 GHz Athlon 64 FX-51 equivalent, while providing exceptional multithreaded performance and seamless multi-tasking. The AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo core is very similar to that of the Athlon 64 FX, and each processor core includes a 1MB L2 cache, for a grand total of 2MB of L2 per processor.

As multithreaded applications and games become more prevalent, the Athlon 64 X2 will really be given a chance to show off its true power, but we can still get excellent single threaded performance in today's games, and some multi-threaded power through the dual core-enhanced drivers and games. The Athlon 64 X2 4400+ also dropped in price, and is now available for about $458 online, giving it one of the best price to performance ratios in the Athlon 64 X2 processor line, if not the entire desktop market.

The Athlon 64 X2 4400+ is extremely strong in multithreaded applications, but is certainly no slouch when it comes to single-threaded performance either. However, for those gamers who absolutely demand utmost in single-threaded performance, the Athlon 64 FX-57 will outperform the dual core Athlon 64 X2 4400+ in a pure gaming environment, but at over $800, be prepared to open your wallet.

Intel CPU: Pentium D 940 (3.2GHz) LGA775 Retail

Current Cost: $442
Months on list: New
Price Change: N/A

We recently upgraded our high-end Intel system to the dual core Pentium D 840, and this month we're moving up another rung to the Pentium D 940. Both processors run at 3.2 GHz, but the newer Pentium D 900 series utilizes the 65nm Presler core, which offers many advantages compared to the 90nm Smithfield used with the Pentium D 800 series. Power consumption is lower on the 65nm Presler, while offering higher clock speeds, and correlating to that, potentially greater overclocking. The only real issue is that at only 3.2 GHz, the Pentium D 940 is still well back of the 3.8 GHz Pentium 4 single core hotrods, although the enhanced dual core graphics drivers have made up some ground. Dual core is still the present and future, and game development is running hard to support multi-threading, so even with this clock speed discrepancy, we are only looking at dual core processors.

The Pentium D 940 runs at 3.2 GHz, uses the LGA775/Socket T format, and even with the new Extreme Editions, is still one of the higher-clocked Intel dual core models. The Pentium D 940 uses the 65nm Presler core, which features 2x2MB (4MB) of L2 cache, an 800MHz FSB, SSE3, full 64-bit support (EM64T), and Execute Disable Bit. This processor offers one of the best price-performance ratios of the Intel Pentium D line, and at only $442, it fits perfectly into our system budget.

We recognize that truly hardcore gamers will want to maintain optimum single-threaded gaming performance at all costs, and in this case, should invest in the Pentium 4 670 (3.8 GHz) LGA775. This processor has a feature set very similar to its dual core brethren, but forgoes the secondary core for a much higher clock speed. Of course there is also the upcoming Pentium Extreme Edition 965, which is a dual core model running at 3.73 GHz, but its ultra-high price tag is more suited to the Extreme Buyer's Guide.

AMD and Intel Heatsink-Fan: Thermalright XP-90C w/92mm Fan

Current Cost: $60
Months on list: 2
Price Change: -$3

Today's processors create enormous heat, and effectively dissipating it is a primary concern of many high-end users. Water-cooling is a definite option, but that exists a bit out of the scope and budget of this guide, and our recommendation will be an air-cooled solution. Of course, as with the other more user-specific choices, feel absolutely free to choose your own 3rd-party cooling option that more fits your individual requirements. In terms of this guide, the Thermalright XP-90C heatsink gets the call again this month, as its all-copper design makes it a very impressive cooling solution, and can handle the Pentium D 940 and Athlon 64 4400+ processors.

The heatsink's solid copper construction not only provides exceptional cooling, but at 690g, it is also a very heavy unit that requires special care during installation and mounting. The Thermalright XP-90C is universally compatible with a number of processors, including the AMD Athlon XP, Athlon 64, Athlon 64 X2 and Athlon 64 FX, along with the Intel Pentium 4/D and Celeron 478-pin processors. The LGA775 models can be accommodated using a Thermalright LGA775 RM mounting bracket. This heatsink supports 92mm cooling fans, and we recommend a model that provides both adequate cooling and low ambient noise, such as the Vantec Stealth 92mm. The Thermalright XP-90C heatsink can be found online for approximately $60, which includes the cost of a 3rd-party cooling fan.

The heatsink-fan selection is one area of our High-end Buyer's Guide that we are looking close at, and evaluating some of the upcoming models. One that has really piqued our interest is the Mini Typhoon from Thermaltake, which is the little brother of the famed Big Typhoon cooler. This cooler looks to be a real treat, as it will be a more refined and evolved version of the popular (and massive) Typhoon heat-pipe design.

This upcoming model solves a few of the problems of the larger model, and offers an all-copper design, a smaller footprint, easier installation, and a more seamless array of processor and socket support mechanisms. Not only will the Mini Typhoon handle the fastest processors currently on the market (up to 130W), but it also supports LGA775, Socket 939, and the upcoming AM2 socket from AMD. The only problem is that is not yet available on the open market, but we're keeping a close eye on this puppy.