I keep seeing this same question. And it seems most people are getting the wrong idea. You simply can't compare the CPU's dirrectly.
Opteron and Althon ( 64, X2, or FX ) ARE NOTthe same. Yes they are all Based on the same core, have the same socket architecture, and run on the same chip sets. But there is more to any CPU then just the Core. Think of it this way: Put a 455 engine in a corvette and a 1 ton pickup. Same Engine, differnt job and performance. The carborater, transmition, rear-end, etc. (that make up the Whole powertrain) are different. Same with a CPU. Different Instruction Set, differnt, job, differnt performance.
As a side note. The reason for the Opteron naming scheme, 1xx series are for single physical CPU systems ( single or dual core ), 2xx series are 1 or 2 CPU's in a system, 8xx for 1 to 8 CPU's on a single motherboard.
For those asking this question...... If you are willing to take the over all drop of gaming performance, buy the less expensive Opteron (do it soon though, as more people go this route, supply will drop raising the prices). Otherwise, open up that checkbook and pay for what you really want, a Gaming CPU. Opterons are for server enviroments, where its power is designed to deal with multi-client request for centralized information and computation. The Athlon series if designed for single user, high computatioal environments, i.e. Games.
BTW, this is the same as Intel fans asking "P4, Xeon or Itanium for gaming".
The simple answer is, trust the company your buying from, and buy the processor designed for your needs. After all, if you knew what they knew, you would make your own CPU and be a multi-millioneer.
Opteron and Althon ( 64, X2, or FX ) ARE NOTthe same. Yes they are all Based on the same core, have the same socket architecture, and run on the same chip sets. But there is more to any CPU then just the Core. Think of it this way: Put a 455 engine in a corvette and a 1 ton pickup. Same Engine, differnt job and performance. The carborater, transmition, rear-end, etc. (that make up the Whole powertrain) are different. Same with a CPU. Different Instruction Set, differnt, job, differnt performance.
As a side note. The reason for the Opteron naming scheme, 1xx series are for single physical CPU systems ( single or dual core ), 2xx series are 1 or 2 CPU's in a system, 8xx for 1 to 8 CPU's on a single motherboard.
For those asking this question...... If you are willing to take the over all drop of gaming performance, buy the less expensive Opteron (do it soon though, as more people go this route, supply will drop raising the prices). Otherwise, open up that checkbook and pay for what you really want, a Gaming CPU. Opterons are for server enviroments, where its power is designed to deal with multi-client request for centralized information and computation. The Athlon series if designed for single user, high computatioal environments, i.e. Games.
BTW, this is the same as Intel fans asking "P4, Xeon or Itanium for gaming".
The simple answer is, trust the company your buying from, and buy the processor designed for your needs. After all, if you knew what they knew, you would make your own CPU and be a multi-millioneer.