Should I upgrade to a A64 X2?

[BroadbandGamer]

Is it safe to upgrade to an X2 or should I wait?

Should I just go with a A64 4000+?

I do a lot of video encoding (for Archos AV 500) and I was thinking that 2nd core would come in handy. A lot of times when I'm encoding I can't do much of anything with my computer.

I'm also a hardcore gamer if that helps.

Thanks,

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

What bugs? Are you referring to the Microsoft substandard scheduler for games that affected both Intel and AMD that has been fixed by the AMD X2 driver (and Microsoft patch for people using Cool N Quiet) quite awhile ago? If you encode and want to game at the same time the X2 will open your eyes. You may still have to set affinity to make sure the encoding program gets one full core and the game gets the other but you would be foolish to get single core at this point with what you are doing. I would go with the 3800+ or Opteron 170 and overclock them to 2400 to 2600 over the 4400+ at this point, but the 4400 is a great choice if no overclocking is in your future. I have the X2 4400+ at 2640 and it is quite the experience compared to my last system, a AMD XP 2400+ running at 2ghrtz.

 

[Reiniku]

You practically fit the bill for someone who would make great use of an x2.

 

[RichUK]

HELL YES!!!

 

[RussianSensation]

If you are a hardcore gamer, you can also get a 2nd 7800GTX

If you want the cpu upgrade, sell 3500+ and get X2 3800+ and overclock that motha...

 

[BroadbandGamer]

thanks guys! I think I'll go with a X2.

 

[grahamh]

you'll be very happy with it.
I ditched my P4 @3.8ghz for a X2-3800 and its so much better and cooler too.

 

[stevty2889]

You'll get a nice improvement in video encoding with the dual core, and the system will feel a lot smoother when doing multiple CPU intensive tasks. I couldnt' go back to a single core in my main rig after having an X2. (I say specificly X2, cause I did go back to a single core prescott over my POS pentium-D).