Confused about Athlon 64 single vs dual core

[1000]

Hi all.

I currently have a Intel 3.2ghz Northwood and am looking to upgrade to PCIE and drop in a 7800gtx (or two!).

I've been reading a lot about the Athlon 64 as a great gaming CPU over the last 12 months, but I'm REALLY confused regarding clock speed, speed ratings etc.. specifically.. single core vs dual core.

Am I correct in understanding that a Athlon 64 dual core 3800+ performs around the same as an Intel 3.0ghz for applications and games that aren't specifically written to take advantage of the dual-core ? Whereas, if I bought an Athlon 3800+ or 4000+ single core CPU it would be FASTER for apps and games (that don't support dual-core sepcifically ?)

What is the point of buying a dual-core 3800+ when there is nothing out there that will allow it to use the x2 capability ? Would I be better off picking up a single-core 4000+ and then upgrading to dual-core in 6-12 months when stuff is actually using the tech ?

Should the fact that I'm looking at a 7800gtx or 2 of them in SLI alter my buying decision.. ie is Nvidia planning anything special to allow better performance with dual-core Athlon 64s that mean that apps don't necessary have to be "dual core friendly" to take advantage of it ?


1000

 

[INM8]

Are you planning on changing the motherboard, or does you mobo already have PCIE?

Because (you probably know this, but just incase...) you cannot use an AMD CPU on an Intel platform, meaning you would need a new motherboard. If you where for an X2 you'd need a socket 939 motherboard.

Depending on what you do, plenty of video and photo edition applications can make full use of dual core, and so can CAD applications such as 3d Studio Max. As far as gaming goes, some people have got their hands on BETA Nvidia gfx card cards that are "optimized for dual core cpu's. I do not know how valid the results are, but people are reporting a 10-20% improvement, and the second core is actually getting used.

 

[ocforums]

the X2 3800 would smoke an intell at 3Gigs..

At stock settings my X2 4400 out scores my dual Xeon 2.4 system which was overclocked to 3675 per chip.I know the ratings are a bit strange but typically what AMD is trying to say is there 3200 chip or 3500 chip is as fast as an Intell at those actuall clocks.So a 3800 will run as fast as a 3.8 gig Intel .

The point to dual core is multi tasking,as well as games..With the new dual core drivers from Nvidia a dual core X2 is almost exacty the same speed in games as the FX 57 when there at the same clock speeds..And both chips out game an Intel . .