Picking out an AMD processor

[Saint Nick]

I am deciding between this Athlon 64 3200+ Venice and this Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego. The price difference is pretty significant. And I don't want to spend more than $200 bucks. So that second one is pushing it, but I will go up a few dollars to get it if I have to. Also, I am building a mid-range computer for playing HL2, Doom 3, all of our favorites. But it doesn't have to be an extreme PC.

Thanks guys.

 

[buzzsaw13]

Wait for price cuts that are coming soon.

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: buzzsaw13
Wait for price cuts that are coming soon.

They are here already for single cores:

Previous thread

Athlon 64 3800+ $149.00 @ZZF

 

[Avalon]

There's an OEM A64 3800+ at eWiz for $135 + ship if you already have a HSF, too.
$200 for the 3700+ is too much, especially when a 3800+ will outperform it and you can get a retail or OEM one for over $50 less.

 

[polypterus]

For some reason Newegg's prices haven't reflected the price cuts yet. As mentioned, get a s939 3800+ retail for $150 at ZZF, mwave, or clubit.com.

 

[Saint Nick]

So the 3800+ is a pretty sweet processor? Like I said, I'm not an AMD guy... I've always been Intel.

Edit: Also, those two processors up there have 1MB L2 cache. Apparently the 3800+ does not?

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: jndietz
So the 3800+ is a pretty sweet processor? Like I said, I'm not an AMD guy... I've always been Intel.

Edit: Also, those two processors up there have 1MB L2 cache. Apparently the 3800+ does not?

Anyone else?

 

[Captante]

Go for either the 3800+ from ZZF @ $149 or the 3500+ @ $115.40. (with free 3-day Fedex too)

Clockspeed is more important then cache in A64's for most applications, so the 3800+ will outperform the 3700+ while the 3500+ will be very close to the same for much less money, also note that the 3200+ Venice is 512kb's as well... only the 3700+ has 1mb.

 

[Effect]

The 3800+ is a venice core, like the 3200+. Both of them have a 512k L2 cache, instead of the 1mb on the 3700+ (san diego core).

 

[DrMrLordX]

Originally posted by: buzzsaw13
Wait for price cuts that are coming soon.

Seconded. A $150 X2 3800+ is a hell of a deal.

 

[Saint Nick]

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX

Originally posted by: buzzsaw13
Wait for price cuts that are coming soon.

Seconded. A $150 X2 3800+ is a hell of a deal.

It's not an X2 though, is it? Thats not what is on ZZF.

 

[Noubourne]

Yeah dual core price cuts are probably coming in the wake of Conroe's release. I've heard only rumors about them so far, but dual core chips will get it in a month or so.

And I would vote San Diego. Since you can easily clock it up a few hundred Mhz, you might as well get the extra cache - you can get the clockspeed through overclocking, you can't get extra cache that way though!!

 

[mezrah]

Originally posted by: jndietz

Originally posted by: DrMrLordX

Originally posted by: buzzsaw13
Wait for price cuts that are coming soon.

Seconded. A $150 X2 3800+ is a hell of a deal.

It's not an X2 though, is it? Thats not what is on ZZF.

Right, but with the price cuts coming soon, the x2 is forecasted to be that low

 

[pkme2]

As I noticed lately, the X2 3800+ is very popular with overclockers for gaming. If the prices drop under $150, that would be an excellent price.
I'm waiting for a 4800+.......

 

[Noubourne]

Originally posted by: pkme2
As I noticed lately, the X2 3800+ is very popular with overclockers for gaming. If the prices drop under $150, that would be an excellent price.
I'm waiting for a 4800+.......

It only takes a $40 HSF to turn a 3800 into a 4800. Pretty much anyone with thumbs could do it.

 

[Saint Nick]

So essentially, what you guys are saying, is wait until abou mid-July and the prices for the X2 3800+ will be ~$150 new? If thats the case, I will wait to pick out parts then.

 

[degeester]

Wait until day after Conroe launch. Keep it mind that is when AMD will anounce the cuts. It may take a few days for the channel to reflect the lower prices.