Socket 462 Sempron vs Athlon around 3000+ rating

[mikeford]

My ECS N2U400A motherboard support web page is showing max cpu as

AMD Sempron 2800+ 2000MHz (256K,333,Socket 462) YES
AMD Athlon XP 3200+ (.13u) (512K,400,Socket 462) YES

Whats going to be the lowest Athlon to be a real step up from my 2600+ sempron?

Looks kinda hopeless though, even a 3000 is going for around $75 still. Just seems funny, since I bet Fry's has had some combo not long ago in the same price range.

Don't say OC, this is for a HTPC/gamer, so rather than OC, what I am thinking of is stripping it down with no antivirus, no lounging apps in the tray, and just use it for PVR and games with no messy normal use.

 

[CKXP]

i would look into a XP-M(2400/2500/2600), you can find them pretty cheap on e-bay

Don't say OC, this is for a HTPC/gamer,

the XP-M OC's rather easily with little effort, it can out perform a xp 3200, run cooler, and use less voltage....the chip has it's perks.