New Generation Games and Dual Core

[Ragnarok2]

Alright so the new generation games like Crysis support dual core. Right now, an AMD Athlon 64 3800+ would be a very good cpu for games, better than 90% of X2's out there right now. But how big will the improvement be with a dual core cpu in the near future? In Vista? Is it worth waiting and spending more money on a Conroe or is it just fine buying an AMD Athlon 64 3800+ for the near future(1-2 years after Vista)??? I'm not an Uber gamer, but I like playing games and would like games running at 30FPS at the minimum? For my needs, will the single core 3800+ be enough for 1-2 years after Vista?

 

[alent1234]

you should wait a few years for games to support multi threading in the engine to really take advantage. it's like when GPU's first came out. It took a few years for games to support the new features.

 

[imported_inspire]

Originally posted by: Ragnarok2
Right now, an AMD Athlon 64 3800+ would be a very good cpu for games, better than 90% of X2's out there right now.

I'd like to see those benchmarks (90% seems high). Single Core Processors' only advantage over dual core right now is clock speed - and that's not going to last very long.

As to whether or not your system will last you, it all depends on your other components...

 

[Ragnarok2]

Originally posted by: inspire

Originally posted by: Ragnarok2
Right now, an AMD Athlon 64 3800+ would be a very good cpu for games, better than 90% of X2's out there right now.

I'd like to see those benchmarks (90% seems high). Single Core Processors' only advantage over dual core right now is clock speed - and that's not going to last very long.

As to whether or not your system will last you, it all depends on your other components...

I'm sorry I didn't post it earlier I was actually talking about gaming performance.

 

[Ragnarok2]

I also have an X800PRO, but I plan on buying a 7900GT or a DirectX10 video card when one comes out, so no problems there. With a good and powerful GPU...would the single-core 3800+(OC'ed to 2.9Ghz) and 1-2Gigs of say Corsair XMS RAM be enough to run games at a minimum of 30 fps After the release of Vista and DirectX10?

 

[broly8877]

I'd pick up a 939 X2 3800+ for $170 late this month, and enjoy the benefits (assuming you have 939).

Consider it, I believe they'll be discontinued late this year.

 

[Ragnarok2]

But the X2 3800 is a suxxor compared to the single core 3800+

At least right now, the single core version 3800+ blows the dual core version away

 

[imported_inspire]

Originally posted by: Ragnarok2
I also have an X800PRO, but I plan on buying a 7900GT or a DirectX10 video card when one comes out, so no problems there. With a good and powerful GPU...would the single-core 3800+(OC'ed to 2.9Ghz) and 1-2Gigs of say Corsair XMS RAM be enough to run games at a minimum of 30 fps After the release of Vista and DirectX10?

You should be fine, but like broly said - upgrading is going to be very affordable very soon. If you're really concerned though, you'd have a better idea if you partitioned your HD and tried out the beta version of Vista - I only say that because I'm not sure how much system resources Vista will commondeer. But, I think you'll be okay.

 

[imported_inspire]

Originally posted by: Ragnarok2
But the X2 3800 is a suxxor compared to the single core 3800+

At least right now, the single core version 3800+ blows the dual core version away

That's why I'll be grabbing an AM2 3800 X2 to replace my pre-Barton rig now and OC'ing it. If you're willing to OC, you can get a lot more bang for your buck, and, if you go with AM2, you won't have to upgrade your mobo for awhile as AM3 chips are going to work in AM2 boards.

Folks have OC'ed 3800 X2's to 5000 speeds on air - in fact, I understand that it's really not too hard.

 

[broly8877]

Originally posted by: Ragnarok2
But the X2 3800 is a suxxor compared to the single core 3800+

At least right now, the single core version 3800+ blows the dual core version away

In single threaded, single task enviroments... and hardly blows it away in such tasks either.

400MHz difference... negligible/unnoticeable in real world applications.

Multithreaded/Multitask enviroments?

World of difference.

 

[Ragnarok2]

Oh God if you linked me to a place where it shows the X2 3800+ at 5000Mhz speeds omg I'd buy it like this minute. That'd be amazing.

Because I DO want a dual core, Its just that they're costly, but if the 3800 OC's that much then what the hell screw single core.

 

[tomt4535]

Originally posted by: Ragnarok2
Oh God if you linked me to a place where it shows the X2 3800+ at 5000Mhz speeds omg I'd buy it like this minute. That'd be amazing.

Because I DO want a dual core, Its just that they're costly, but if the 3800 OC's that much then what the hell screw single core.

Text

Thats what mine is running right now. 2.6ghz rock solid stable. It goes all the way to 2.8ghz, but its not stable enough. Oh this is on stock cooling, and 1.4v in the bios(disregard the volts in the screenshot)

 

[Fenixgoon]

Originally posted by: Ragnarok2
Oh God if you linked me to a place where it shows the X2 3800+ at 5000Mhz speeds omg I'd buy it like this minute. That'd be amazing.

Because I DO want a dual core, Its just that they're costly, but if the 3800 OC's that much then what the hell screw single core.

no, athlon 5000+ speeds, not 5ghz

 

[Ragnarok2]

Well the single core costs less and overlcocks to 2.9Ghz on air cooling...much more on liquid

I think im goin with single 3800+...if not satisfactory...Ill just sell it here on Anandtech(best forum ever by the way) and buy an X2 cuz Ill have the mobo and everything.

 

[tomt4535]

Originally posted by: Ragnarok2
Well the single core costs less and overlcocks to 2.9Ghz on air cooling...much more on liquid

I think im goin with single 3800+...if not satisfactory...Ill just sell it here on Anandtech(best forum ever by the way) and buy an X2 cuz Ill have the mobo and everything.

Well, right now the A64 3800+ is around $150. The dual core A64 X2 3800+ is going to be $170 in a few weeks. Just get an X2 and OC the hell out of it, you wont be dissapointed.