X2 3800 or athlon 64 4000?

[JD50]

Im building a new computer and I have evertying but the processor. This will be mainly for gaming and internet. I just bought a evga 7800 GT, and I will eventually buy another one for SLI. Since these two processors are basically the same price, which one will give me the most bang for my buck in the next 2 years (thats about how often I upgrade). If I use X2, will one core handle the game and the other core handle all the other background programs that are running. I'm thinking that by the time the dual core processor are being fully utilized that I will be able to get a much better one for cheaper. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[coomar]

quake is coming out in about 6 months

 

[TankGuys]

The classic question

If ALL you're going to do is game, then the 4000 will be faster.

However, the 3800 will be better for other applications, and will give you more "future proof" feel. It also OCs quite well. Tough call. If you think all you are gonna do is game, then go 4000. If you'll branch out and do much else, do the 3800.

 

[Furen]

Best bang-for-the-buck would be a 3000+ overclocked to 2.4GHz+. Between an x2 3800 and a 4000+ I'd go for the 3800+, but that's because I'd love being able to do more than one CPU intensive things.

 

[JD50]

Sorry, forget to say that the two main games I play are World of Warcraft and Battlefield 2, if that helps at all.

 

[TankGuys]

Originally posted by: JD50
Sorry, forget to say that the two main games I play are World of Warcraft and Battlefield 2, if that helps at all.

Doesn't make a huge difference...

If you're gaming, do a lower end A64 and OC it or do the 4000 (and OC that too if you want). Otherwise, like I said, the 3800 or 4400 give you nice flexibility.

 

[deanx0r]

There are minimal difference between the X2 line and the single cores when it comes to gaming performance. It's not like you are going to feel a difference between both CPUs in term of gaming where as with multitasking and multithreaded applications like Photoshop, you will be thrilled by the boost of dualcores.

 

[JD50]

Wow, thanks for all the quick replies. I think maybe the best thing to do for now is buy a cheaper single core processor (maybe around 3500) and overclock it, then in about a year when dual core processors are being fully utilized go ahead and upgrade then, as they will be cheaper and probably better. Since I have never overclocked anything before, does anyone have any advice on the best processor to overclock?

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: JD50
Wow, thanks for all the quick replies. I think maybe the best thing to do for now is buy a cheaper single core processor (maybe around 3500) and overclock it, then in about a year when dual core processors are being fully utilized go ahead and upgrade then, as they will be cheaper and probably better. Since I have never overclocked anything before, does anyone have any advice on the best processor to overclock?

If you're going cheap, get the 3000+ Venice. You can easily get 2.6GHz out of it with some air cooling.

I would still recommend you take the plunge into dual-core now, unless you intend on waiting for the new lines from Intel and AMD (Conroe/Orleans) and Socket M2 and whatever to come out.

 

[superfly27]

Originally posted by: JD50
Wow, thanks for all the quick replies. I think maybe the best thing to do for now is buy a cheaper single core processor (maybe around 3500) and overclock it, then in about a year when dual core processors are being fully utilized go ahead and upgrade then, as they will be cheaper and probably better. Since I have never overclocked anything before, does anyone have any advice on the best processor to overclock?

Yeah, I went real cheap and got Athlon 64 3400+ 2.4 GHz (socket 754) and X700 Pro.

In 2 years, I might get reasonable prices on a dual core, socket M2, Geforce 8 and DDR2 RAM and 550 watt power supply. UT2007 is about 18 months away. But, socket M2 will be just coming out. So, I guess I'll have to wait several months after UT2007 comes out. I kind of feel like building an entirely new system though so I can have Vista on one machine and XP Pro on the other.

 

[silentvois]

If you're gonna go single core then get the 3000+ and overclock that. But if you wanna futureproof the system then get a X2 3800+ and overclock that later on if you want.

 

[imported_Kensai]

X2 3800+.

 

[n7]

X2

 

[TankGuys]

I think the crowd is telling you the X2 is your best bet

 

[lawrenceku]

x2 if you arent going to upgrade for 2 years.

 

[JD50]

Thanks for all the great responses, but I am still undecided. I will either get the venice 3000 for now and upgrade to an X2 in about a year, or just get the X2 3800 now, I guess I'll just have to think it over. Thanks again.