Quote Originally Posted by AliG View Post
ehh, you'd be surprised at how many people here think that phenom's offer smoother performance compared to conroe (even though it is less)
I could see how that argument could hold water. Just before I explain my theory I would like to warn you that I am a Intel Fanboy and will never buy AMD...ever!

Ok now in some games which are GPU limited and have a few scenes which are CPU limited The Core2 will have very variable frame rates, yet the Phenom would be consistently low.

I am sure a lot of people would agree that if your frames fluctuated from 30fps to 60fps you WOULD notice the difference (you will get moments of fluidity and then moments of semi fluid frames. This would cause some annoyance in that even a constant 30FPS with no fluctuation OR frame rates closer to the average, ie 30 to 40FPS range would be smoother in this circumstance.

Therefore in SOME games a Phenom may be Smoother than a Core2, BUT as soon as you upgrade your GPU (to remove the GPU limitation) the Core2 will be far superior as it would handle the CPU limited areas better than a Phenom which lacks Venom.

adamsleath

Back in the day I had a Pentium II 400Mhz with a i740 AGP coupled with 2 Monster 3D VooDoo2's (12MB). That was a good PC for Unreal and UT. I can tell you there was no Microstutter back then! I then upgraded to a Pentium III 600Mhz with a Voodoo3 and then onto a 1Ghz Pentium 3 with a Voodoo5

Ahh those were the days.....

I am now deciding whether to get 2x 1GB 4870 cards, a Zotac GT280GTX AMP! or hold on until this semi magical Alien technology R700 dual GPU ATi solution.

It's a tough one, I know that I would be happy with either of the 1st two, perhaps even more so with the GT280GTX if it did not cost so much money (I mean seriously the high end always used to be around the £300 mark!!)

In the UK 2 4870 cards will cost the same as a Zotac GT280GTX AMP! as prices were leaked for an hour until (£210 inc vat). = £420 for two

John