Dual or Single Core?

[paulg]

What would you guys recommend - an A64 3700+ SD or an X2 3800+ Dual core? I will overclock. I appreciate that the the SD has 1mb cache as opposed to the 512 per core on the X2 - but will having dual core not make up for that? Also, is the memory controller on the X2 any good (Rev E?)

Basically, what's the fastest cpu?

I'm not interested in the oppy as the dual core versions are out of my budget.

 

[paulg]

I'm aiming to play a lot more games with my new upgrade as my old pc struggles with the newer stuff, like Battlefield 2 and CoD2.

I don't really have much going on in the background whilst playing (just things like virus checker, firewall and Emule etc.), so would a game or Photoshop utilise both cores at the same time or does one core shut down (so to speak) when not much is going on. I'd imagine if this was the case the X2 would be a lot quicker. If not then the 3700SD. Would that be right?

 

[paulg]

Ummm, both out my budget.

I initially had a budget of £150 for a cpu, but I've saved £50 by buying my RAM somewhere else (sorry OC's!) so, like any of us would, I'll spend the saving. Around £200-220 should do it.

So, how does the X2 3800 compare to the 3700 SD? Is having the X2 like having 4GHz of speed (2x 2GHz) or does it not work like that?

 

[paulg]

Thanks guys. I think I'll buy the 3700 as that allows me to upgrade to perhaps the X2 4400 next year when hopefully it might be a lot cheaper and more programs/games utilise it. Late this summer I will add another 7800gt as well.

 

[paulg]

Do we know whether AMD will continue to produce the 939 cpu's like the X2 4400 after the switch to M2? That must be a consideration because of future upgrades. If I buy a 3700 now, will I be able to buy an X2 4400 in 12-18 months time? Must be on everyones mind.