Which Socket AM2 cpu should I buy?

[techs]

So I am upgrading my third computer and have an MSI k9vgm-v mobo (Via k8m890 chipset) socket am2.
I never play games, and I will use the onboard video. I will run WinXP pro.
I use the computer for some video editing, not much. Otherwise web surfing and email. No overclocking.

Here is the cpu compatibility list:
http://global.msi.com.tw/index...od_no=260&maincat_no=1

I am looking at the 65nm Amd cpu's.
My two possibilites are:

Athlon 64 x2 2.7 ghz with 2x512 cache 65 watt cpu for 77.00
Athlon x2 4450e 2.3 mb with 1 mb cache 45w cpu for 77.00

I am assuming the different ways the cache are listed means the 2x512 means each 512 is allocated to one core, and that the 1mb cache can be fully utilized by either core if free.

Is the additional mhz or the different cache more important? Which one would you recommend?

Thanks

 

[kotrtim]

Athlon X2 2.7 is definitely faster, they are the same, both have 2X512kb, you can consider both as same CPU with only difference in MHz. x2 4450e has the same price as athlon x2 2.7 due to 45W. So if u don't mind another 20W, that is 65W, 2.7ghz is the way to go.


EDIT

I am assuming the different ways the cache are listed means the 2x512 means each 512 is allocated to one core, and that the 1mb cache can be fully utilized by either core if free.

No only Intel Core 2 L2 cache or AMD phenom L3 cache have this share feature

 

[Soulkeeper]

personally i'd go with the lower wattage one, it might be a more recent core and better, although clocked lower ...

but since you aren't overclocking or doing anything too demaning, it really don't matter, just get whatever is in your price range or flip a coin

 

[daveybrat]

Go with the 2.7GHz. There is no reason to get a 400MHz cpu that is only 20watts less for the same price unless you're building an HTPC.

More speed is always a good thing

 

[heyheybooboo]

Buy an X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 65W: $82

Reuse your HSF. Enter the BIOS and up the cpu multiplier to x14 (resulting in an overall clockspeed of 2.8GHz)

The extra benefit of running 2.8GHz with an AMD AM2 cpu is that your RAM will run at spec 800MHz.

(disregard if you do not have DDR2 800 )

 

[techs]

Thanks all. I don't have a hsf to work on the Black edition and the extra cost is over my budget.
So, I went for the 2.7 ghz!
Be nice to retire the old Athlon 1600+. It did great work for quite awhile.
Hello, dual core.
So I now I will have 4 dual cores, and one Pentium 4 2.8 still chugging along.

 

[daveybrat]

You should be thrilled then. My 2.9GHz X2 cpu is more than fast enough for my needs and games.

 

[unr3al]

I have my CPU at 2.7GHz everyday and believe me in anything that my IGP is capable of running, the CPU isn't the bottleneck rofl