Need your help selecting an AMD processor

[knowledgeseeker]

Can you advise me which AMD processor will provide the biggest bang-for-the-buck? I am looking to spend ~ $300 (plus or minus) which I think puts me in the 3700 - 3800 range? But I am not sure which core to get? There seem to be more choices than ever (CPU alphabet soup - Venice, Manchester, Toledo, San Diego, ...) and I have not purchased a CPU in a loooooong time.
Would like something that will work with my Thermalright SI-120 heatsink and must fit into either an ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe or MSI K8N Neo4/SLI Platinum. Which means that I am NOT wanting to wait for AM2.

 

[LithiumSunset]

For that money, the AMD Opteron 165 Denmark core comes to mind. Seems like the best bang for the buck in that price range. Its 325 I believe nowadays.

 

[knowledgeseeker]

OK. I have a bit more knowledge now. How does this Opteron compare to the AMD Athlon 64 X2 (939) 3800+ 2x512KB Manchester? Looks like the Manchester is about $25 less. So what do I get for the extra $$ from the Opteron?

For that money, the AMD Opteron 165 Denmark core comes to mind. Seems like the best bang for the buck in that price range. Its 325 I believe nowadays.

 

[TechnologyCoordinator]

I recently built my system (see sig for specs).

I decided to go with the Athlon 64 3200+ with the intentions of upgrading to a fast dual-core processor later on when the prices come down. This way I get the best of both worlds:

NOW:
A low price on a decent single core (most games aren't written for dual core)

LATER:
A low price on a awesome dual-core (at which time most games WILL be written for dual core)


I also bought an SLI motherboard with the intention of going SLI when I upgrade to dual core.

 

[chuckshissle]

I don't know what's the best for buck but get the dual core!!!!!

I have the X2 4800 and it just freaking fast!!!!!

 

[ak47is1337]

AMD 3200+ is an INCREDIBLE overclocker and runs $150...by far the biggest bang for the buck.

 

[TechnologyCoordinator]

AMD 3200+ is an INCREDIBLE overclocker and runs $150...by far the biggest bang for the buck.

Depends on which one you get, there are many different revisions with the same model number!

 

[ak47is1337]

as long as you get an E3 core, you are guaranteed 2.7+ basically...i got 2.9 =D

 

[gpfear]

I just built an A64 system for my father as I do not have tons of disposable income. If you are going to build any system that is AMD based make sure it can support SLI and X2 processors. You will pay extra for the board but benefit in years of gaming.

 

[ak47is1337]

SLi is a blatant waste of money, but dual core is totally guaranteed on all 939 boards...great deal if ya ask me.

 

[crizazykid2]

LOL...that took a LOT of work!

 

[ak47is1337]

uhh..?

 

[TechnologyCoordinator]

LOL...that took a LOT of work!

Yes, it took many grueling seconds using a high-end graphics program called mspaint.exe!

 

[ak47is1337]

LOL...that took a LOT of work!

Yes, it took many grueling seconds using a high-end graphics program called mspaint.exe!
Dude, MSpaint is the leetest program made by M$ ever, rivaled only by textpad.

 

[crizazykid2]

LOL...that took a LOT of work!

Yes, it took many grueling seconds using a high-end graphics program called mspaint.exe!
Dude, MSpaint is the leetest program made by M$ ever, rivaled only by textpad.

"leetest"? I have never heard of that word...

but I know it is a sorry program...although it can be fun for little kids.

"grueling seconds"
ROFL!

 

[chuckshissle]

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Dual Core sounds pretty nice for around $ 300!!!!

 

[ak47is1337]

LOL...that took a LOT of work!

Yes, it took many grueling seconds using a high-end graphics program called mspaint.exe!
Dude, MSpaint is the leetest program made by M$ ever, rivaled only by textpad.

"leetest"? I have never heard of that word...

but I know it is a sorry program...although it can be fun for little kids.

"grueling seconds"
ROFL!
you've never heard of 1337 omgwtfbbqnub! anyway, MSpaint pwns. it never fails, does all the basic photo editing options and is easy to use. by far some of the best M$ stuff =)

 

[ak47is1337]

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Manchester 1GHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Dual Core sounds pretty nice for around $ 300!!!!

3800 is good and fits great with $300 price tag...but the 3200 has better bang for the buck since it really is half price and since the 3800 won't be able to use its dual core processing in many applications yet since games that really benifit from it are rare.

 

[Ycon]

Save up a few dollars more and get the X2 3800+
But if you really cant afford more, get something like the 3700+
Or if you really want dual-core you should get some Pentium D

 

[crizazykid2]

LOL...that took a LOT of work!

Yes, it took many grueling seconds using a high-end graphics program called mspaint.exe!
Dude, MSpaint is the leetest program made by M$ ever, rivaled only by textpad.

"leetest"? I have never heard of that word...

but I know it is a sorry program...although it can be fun for little kids.

"grueling seconds"
ROFL!
you've never heard of 1337 omgwtfbbqnub! anyway, MSpaint pwns. it never fails, does all the basic photo editing options and is easy to use. by far some of the best M$ stuff =)

I suppose you have very basic needs then if you think paint is good.

1337? leetest? what the heck are you talking about?

just looked it up...I see, whew that terminology was almost over my head

 

[ak47is1337]

Again though, not much is really supportive of dual core as of now (with the exception of Q4 and COD2). Also, the 3200 WILL outperform a 3800 after a massive overclock.

 

[ak47is1337]

LOL...that took a LOT of work!

Yes, it took many grueling seconds using a high-end graphics program called mspaint.exe!
Dude, MSpaint is the leetest program made by M$ ever, rivaled only by textpad.

"leetest"? I have never heard of that word...

but I know it is a sorry program...although it can be fun for little kids.

"grueling seconds"
ROFL!
you've never heard of 1337 omgwtfbbqnub! anyway, MSpaint pwns. it never fails, does all the basic photo editing options and is easy to use. by far some of the best M$ stuff =)

I suppose you have very basic needs then if you think paint is good.

1337? leetest? what the heck are you talking about?
Yup, my needs are basic. However, 1337 means "elite", it was basically branded most likely by Counter-Strike players sometime in 1999 or so.

 

[crizazykid2]

but, 3800 is a good overclocker too, can't be beat by a 3200 if overclocked also, can it?

 

[ak47is1337]

but, 3800 is a good overclocker too, can't be beat by a 3200 if overclocked also, can it?

the highest real overclock you can get on a 3800 (2.7, more realistically 2.6) versus the highest 3200 (2.9, more realistically 2.8), I think the 3200 would win since it generates a lot less heat and is easier to manage I suppose. The manchester is, after all, just 2 venice cores =D

 

[gpfear]

SLI might go by the wayside with dual core GPUs, but benchmarks do not lie