Which CPU?

J

jackdaniels

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hey guys & gals.
I got a real dilemma on my hands here, i dunno which CPU to go for:o

I got a shortlist but am battling to choose, its between:
AMD Athlon64 3500+
AMD Athlon64 X2 3800+
AMD Athlon64 X2 4200+

My use for my new rig will be gaming and just other basic stuff like ripping dvds, encoding mp3s etc. My first choice was the 4200+(2x 3500) but apparantly it isnt much greater than the 3800+(2x 3200). But seeing as some games atm will use 1 core isnt 1x 3200 core pulling it rather skimpy? So then i though maybe i'll just settle for a plain old 3500+. But isnt dual-core the way to go? This pc needs to last me at least 2 or 3 years so so maybe dual core would be better. I have also heard that dual-core cpus encounter problems with certain games which i definately cant handle. The PC will have a gigabyte k8npro sli board with 2gb ra and a 7800gtx.

Any suggestions?

advice greatly appreciated:)
 
Well, I'd just take a X2 3800+, overclock it the little bit too x2 4200+ speeds and be happy...

Thats what I would (and actually hopefully soon will) do.
 
I got myselft the X2 3800, amazing cpu, wouldnt chose anything else.

older games will not run as fast, cpu speed it low. but newer games taking use of multiple threads benifit well like morrowind oblivion\quake 4.

dual cores definetly the way to go, there seems to always be a lil bit left in the cpu so you can do some other task.

I think the only difference with the 4200+ X2 is double the cache (they have the same clock speeds, 2ghz per core), which will make a nice difference.

Both of them overclock very well, even with the standard cooling they come with (and its very quiet too!)
 
Performance : AMD Athlon64 X2 4200+
Pricewise : AMD 4000+ (special till Firday @ R2299.00 )
 
SkrewbalL said:
I got myselft the X2 3800, amazing cpu, wouldnt chose anything else.

older games will not run as fast, cpu speed it low. but newer games taking use of multiple threads benifit well like morrowind oblivion\quake 4.

dual cores definetly the way to go, there seems to always be a lil bit left in the cpu so you can do some other task.

I think the only difference with the 4200+ X2 is double the cache (they have the same clock speeds, 2ghz per core), which will make a nice difference.

Both of them overclock very well, even with the standard cooling they come with (and its very quiet too!)
Click to expand...

Err.... no, the 4200+ is 2,2Ghz with same cache as the 3800+ while the 4400+ has double the cache and is the same speed as the 4200+.
 
SkrewbalL said:
I think the only difference with the 4200+ X2 is double the cache (they have the same clock speeds, 2ghz per core), which will make a nice difference.
Click to expand...
the 4200+ has 512kb cache per core, the same as the 3800+ IIRC, and has a clock of 2.2Ghz, the 4400+ is the one with 1024kb cache ;)

whoops, didnt see your post there sunbird :o
 
Person said:
yeah but the price between the 4400+ and 4200+ means its not worth buying.
Click to expand...

True, price the difference between the 4200+ and 3800+ is also too big, a 3800+ can easily overclock to 2,2GHz on its stock fan without any negative benefits, one reason the 3800+ actually exists is to have a price point against the Intel dual cores.
 
supersunbird said:
one reason the 3800+ actually exists is to have a price point against the Intel dual cores.
Click to expand...
And in some benchmarks the 3800+ beat the previous Pentium EE, i think that ran at 3.2Ghz :cool:, donno how it compares to the new 65nm Pentium EE tho
 
I would say Dual core is the way to go. But if you are willing to buy a 4200+ I would rather advise to save up for the 4400+. I have it and I run it at 4800+ speed and it is an awesome CPU.

Otherwise go for the 3800+ and overclock it if you want. 4200+ is kinda silly IMO.
 
3500+ R 1,624.77
4000+ R 2,610.37
X2 3800+ R 2,333.48
X2 4200+ R 2,806.76
X2 4400+ R 3,620.37
X2 4800+ R 4,979.22

Some prices.

Now I have the 4000+ and teh 4400+ and can say that the 4400+ even at stock speeds is like having 2 4000+'s if the apps support multi threading.

Now the 4400+ is just an awesome CPU. Compared to the 4800+ it is a bargain. +-R1300 cheaper and will run at the same speed with no problem.

Anyway my advice would be to save up for the 4400+ if you can, if not get the 3800+ and OC it.
 
supersunbird said:
Yeah, for being a good heater the coming winter :p

He said it will be a gaming rig, so AMD is the right choice.
Click to expand...

Complete and utter BS and you know it!!!! :mad:

I mean why buy an AMD it sucks at lans. With the Intel you can use it as a stove and cook stuff on it, boil water, make coffee etc. I mean really AMD? you gotta be joking. :rolleyes:

EDIT - [NOTE Extreme Sarcasm]
 
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