Last Q: Before I place final order tomorrow...

[Logical One]

does it make more sense...in terms of gaming power...to splurge on a CPU now and buy a vid-card later as prices come down or vice-versa?

I was actually thinking of springing for the X2 4200+ which is 2.2 Mghz...same as the 3700+...

also...I was going to get a decent vid card to start with...6600GT...and upgrade when 7800GT comes down in price cuz of the release of the 512 MO version and the X1800...etc...

which is the smarter NOW upgrade?

keep in mind I game at 1024x768 now (sometimes 800x600)...

if the 6800GT is at a fair price where I order (doubtful) I will get that...if I get the single core 3700+ I can maybe spring for a 7800GT but with a PSU of 380W (Antec case + PSU)...

if I get the X2 3800 or 4200 I will be getting a 460W Antec and a ThermalTake case...

 

[Doug117]

Ooh boy good question. Im not exactly all up on the X2s but from what I've read it wont do THAT much for you if you're just gaming. If you do gaming mostly then I'd say go for the video card. Hopefully someone a bit more knowledgable will show up to help

 

[Logical One]

I must say...I DL a lot and it keeps me from gaming sometimes...also...I make A LOT of DVD's (burned)...it takes time to encode...it would eb nice to game while encoding...

 

[drwngflies]

Here's my 2 cents in the bucket:
I was in a quandry also, about which way to go, to prepare for what I expect the future of gaming to be.
I already see Valve preparing for use of dual cores, hence the Lost Coast release, where they utlize different threads for the textures.
Also, F.E.A.R. also has a good start into mutli-threading it's content.
I was stuck with an 6800Gt AGP card, and going 'all out' to replace both a CPU, M/B, And a Vid Card was out of the question, so I settled on trying to make the most of this upgrade as I could. To wait until a later date, and simply replace everything at once. (hopefully it will be awhile...)
Now, If all you are going to do with that system in, say..., the next 2 years is game, Then go for the 7800GTX and all the CPU you can afford with what $$ you have left in your budget. I am assuming you are a PCI user, since you are even considering a 7800, so here is an idea:
I added these as a reference, I'm not sure where you are buying from.
XFX 6800GT ($279) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814150091
ChainTech 6600GT ($145) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145098
(There are two others that are $6 cheaper, but I am unfamiliar with those brands)
The X2 4200 goes for around $400, so if you add 400 to 145, that's $545, plus your PSU and case.
$545 minus the $279, for a better card, leaves you: $266 for a CPU
So, the only one (assuming 939 pin) is the 3700 San Diego for $234
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103539
$32 saved, for a single core CPU that will run the same games that a dual core CPU for thirty bux will run, AND burn a DVD AT THE SAME TIME.

At least this is the logic I used when I decided to go for the dual core. Plus, I don't fear the new games to come out for the next two years, and wonder if my system will be able to run 'em.
Here is FEAR bench run on my 4400 X2 with a 6800GT (mind you I upped the CPU and the 6800, and I run at a higher res, so you should see similar results, if not better at 1024x768)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/drwngflies/FEAR_settings.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y99/drwngflies/FEAR_bench.jpg
I hope this will shed a little light on your decision.
Good Luck

 

[Logical One]

well...I will upgrade my vid card soon (like 6 months max)...I just want to be able to run good games and multi-task on the comp at the same time...plus the savings from getting a 7800GT allow me to get a 460W PSU and a ThermalTake Tsunami (I love that chassis) which is better than the 380PSU Antec Sonata I was able to afford before I opted for the 6600GT...

thanks for the input though...

 

[drwngflies]

I seemed to miss the fact that it was an "either/or" question, and I was figuring prices for an upgrade "combo" Sorry, it's late here...
Anyway, GL on your purchase, whatever it may be.

 

[Griswold]

Originally posted by: Logical One
I must say...I DL a lot and it keeps me from gaming sometimes...also...I make A LOT of DVD's (burned)...it takes time to encode...it would eb nice to game while encoding...

This kinda screams for an X2.

 

[Mogadon]

If you're going to upgrade your vid card soon anyway go with the X2, o/c it. You'll be as happy as larry, as long as you have the monitor that'll give you the high resolutions that'll make the 7800GT worth the upgrade.

At the resolutions you're talking about now, the 7800 will make no 'noticeable' difference.

 

[Logical One]

that was my drive behind choosing to update the CPU instead of the vid-card right now...plus...I set up my system now to cool the vid card properly when I do get it...

 

[Shenkoa]

Originally posted by: Logical One
does it make more sense...in terms of gaming power...to splurge on a CPU now and buy a vid-card later as prices come down or vice-versa?

I was actually thinking of springing for the X2 4200+ which is 2.2 Mghz...same as the 3700+...

also...I was going to get a decent vid card to start with...6600GT...and upgrade when 7800GT comes down in price cuz of the release of the 512 MO version and the X1800...etc...

which is the smarter NOW upgrade?

keep in mind I game at 1024x768 now (sometimes 800x600)...

if the 6800GT is at a fair price where I order (doubtful) I will get that...if I get the single core 3700+ I can maybe spring for a 7800GT but with a PSU of 380W (Antec case + PSU)...

if I get the X2 3800 or 4200 I will be getting a 460W Antec and a ThermalTake case...

First off, games currently are not multithreaded so the work load would not be split between both core's making your frame rate no different then a Socket 754 Newcastle setup. People here on the forums have been complaining about game compatibility as well, since some developers are too lazy to even test their games out on dual core CPU's before releasing them.

If you want a good video card, wait as long as you possible can before buying one, or get used to running games at 1024X768 because at the rate that video cards improve it would be a total waist of money to buy top line. Get the 6600GT and play PC games until you cant play them any more (less jaggy's cost a load of $)

Get the X2 if you use your PC heavily, or if you do a lot of work that would greatly benifit from having 2 core's, such as video encoding and various programs. Personally I could not see a single reason for myself to ever switch to dual core. I check my online banking, my email, anandtech, eBay, listen to Mp3's, browse the net and play games. NONE which I feel I need to buy an X2 for.

Want the best out of games now??? If you like to overclock then I recommend a setup similar to mine for A64. If you don?t, then go for the best socket 754 setup you can afford.

1. Don?t buy what you don?t need
2. Top line video cards are a waist
3. X2's are nice but not needed among most people
4. For overclocking get a Venice, if not then go socket 754

 

[Skott]

Its a personal choice. Me? I'd get the better proc and later upgrade the video card. Why? Well, upgrading/replacing a video card is much simpler and easier than a proc. So, I'd get the most proc I could possibly afford. I'm not an overclocker though so that kinda makes my choices different than those that may overclock.

 

[Logical One]

I was thinking that...I do need a dual-core because when I do encode and decrypt movies/DL movies and so on I can't use my comp for hours at a time which sucks majorly...