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Need help choosing a processor/video card

S

SirFelixCat

Senior member
Hey guys, obviously, I'm new around here, but have lurked and have found this place to be a wealth of knowledge..I think I know enough to be just barely dangerous now, which says a whole lot compared to what I knew before I found this place...anyway, onto the questions:

I am building a new gaming/online poker/surfing rig and have a budget of @ $1700 not including the monitor. I have tenatively decided on the EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard, but the big question now is on the processor...

- AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor

-AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

-AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

or

AMD Opteron 175 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

Now, obviously, there is a BIG price difference, but let's assume that I can make any of the above work, budget-wise...which to choose?

I've seen where the dual-cores are much better at multi-tasking, which I will do a lot of when not gaming, but I really don't know how the L2 cache differences affect a computer and how it runs...that seems to be the only difference between the Manchester and the Toledo...any help there as well?

Also, I'm reading a good bit on the Opteron processors...should I go that route?

Lastly, where is a good place to find benchmarks for the difference between the various 7800GT vid cards and possibly the 7800GTX.

Thanks all.

 
The extra cache doesn't make any huge differance in most cases, so I wouldnt' worry about it too much. I have the X2 4200+ and it's been great for me. What kind of multitasking do you do? If it's just having a bunch of webpages open while listening to music etc., you don't really need a dual core for that, and would probably be better with the 3700+. If you do some more CPU intensive multitasking, then I would go with the 4200+.
 
ooo...I would recommend (unequovically) the 3700+ for gaming....just bought one and I )ouldn't be happier. Dual core will win you some respect in most PC circles, but I would suggest to wait to upgrade until they're more mainstream and programs can take full advantage. Take that $150 and invest it into a better video card...or put it away and buy a dual-core a bit later on when they're a better value.
 
I say the 175. Same as the 4400, but more thoroughly tested.

On a side note, welcome to the forums, but beware that "Felixthecat" was one of the worst trolls on this board, so I hope its not you, or somebody doesn;t mistake you for him if you are not !

And unless you have a lot of money to throw around, get the 7800 GT. Its close to as good, and way cheaper.
 
unless your hell bent on getting the most fps and not going to o/c any, the evga gt co is gonna be the sweet spot

benchmarks

would suggest you read the entire review, I just gave you one page of results...

Agree with mark on the cpu selection and welcome to the forums!!
 
if you gonna play games.i think you should buy the 3700+ san diego core. it's gonna help you rich high overclock scores. and better for gaming, but if you planning to use both worlds, (gaming and multitasking, buy the amdx2 3800+ it's the best for the money, and crazy oc processor.
 
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