I'm going to upgrade sometime this year. My current computer isn't that out of date, it still runs everything i need, but some newer games (supreme commander) are kinda sluggish on anything but the lowest settings. In addition, i'm doing some video compression and editing, and i wouldn't mind some better speeds there too.
 
So here's my Current Configuration.
 
AMD 2400+ XP, running at 2.0ghz
1gig ram, ddr2 i think
ATI 9550 video card
 
The question i have is regarding the processor i'm going to get. How much faster are they now? The processor i'm looking at is this one
 
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ Dual Core Processor Socket AM2 Windsor 2.0GHZ 2X512KB 89W 90NM
 
Now, that processor is still at 2.0ghz. I'm aware that is' dualcore, but not all operations are going to use both cores, right? In any normal situation, doing a video compression or something, i'm still just going to be using one core, right? It's probably good to note that i'm going to be running Windows XP Professional, SP2.
 
Naturally every other component is going to have a speed increase as well, right down to the new HD i'm getting. But when it comes down to pure processor speed, how much faster is this 2.0ghz processor, than my old 2.0ghz processor.
 
Thanks.

The Dual core processor you mention will be faster in single threaded games, but will also be great for games that support Dual Core processors like Supreme commander. You will notice a boast from the upgrade even though they both run at 2.0Ghz.

video encoding actually benefits from second core  

Of course, that's assuming the software you use is smart enough to use the second core. Do a little research on that too, maybe find a newer version of whatever you have now.
 
A second GB of RAM should help a lot too, if your mobo allows it.
 
For games, you could use a better video card, something like x1950Pro for example.  What do you have, AGP or PCI-E?

He's using an  AGP card  and DDR1 memory.    

Most likely AGP and DDR ram you have now.So you will need DDR2 2gigs a pcie vid card didn't see your PSU.If  you are strapped for cash try the Asrock Dualvsta MB You can use your old ram and vid card with a core2 to boot.Then upgrade those when you can.Definately get a better card.

oh yeah, i'm upgrading everything. I've got my new MB, Ram, and everything selected. It was just the Processor i wasn't sure about.
 
I'm weighing the upgrades right now, for only 15$ more i can get X amount more mhz, for 25$ more than that, i can get more ram.... etc etc etc

Even if you were going single core, it'd still be a huge jump in performance at the same speed.

to be honest you could do with some more RAM, and a new graphics card, or a new PC

The comparisons between dual core and single are spelled it out here, also improvement in bus speed, etc. makes it a no brainer.
 
Tom's exhaustive CPU Comparison charts

I know Compuvest is a place that has hard-to-find old stuff at pretty low prices.  You could get a single core 3800+ (2.4 GHz) for $58.
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?iid=458653
 
And a Geforce 6600 GT for $69.
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?iid=447631
 
And a MSI socket 939 mobo for $69.
http://www.compuvest.com/Description.jsp?iid=403415
 
With that, you can keep your RAM and have a pretty cheap upgrade.
 
For $196, you'd have a pretty substantial upgrade from what you have now.
 
I know that's a single core CPU, but in my opinion, the next step up in processors would be an Intel e6600 which would cost more and you'd need DDR2 RAM which is different.  The next step up in a video card would be the X1650 XT and then the X1950 Pro.
 
Of course, if you got the 2.4 GHz CPU and an X1950 Pro, you'll feel like someone just gave you a rocket boost.  I didn't find a whole lot of difference between 1GB of RAM and 2GB.

3800+ is probably thte best amd CPU I could reccomend. Has everything all the other CPU's have but extremly cheap. Pretty much IS the biggest reason why people shouldnt go for single cores anymore.

 
I know many people claim they don't need to use the AMD dual core driver to avoid X2 problems with games.  But, for me, even if there's a 1% chance of having problems with a dual core, I'd rather have either a single core or a Core2Duo.  But, the Core2Duo means getting new RAM.
 
By the way, the XP processor is a socket A.  So, you'd need another motherboard for a better processor.
 
I read Supreme Commander runs better with a dual core.  But, UT3 will apparently run even better on a quad core.  The third and fourth cores will do physics and other stuff.  Heheh, that's going to be cool.  The AMD quad core might be out by September or October (unless it's delayed, as it already has been).

 
They are as fast as ever my old desktop a 2.2 p4 run at 0 mph my new core 2 duo 6700 runs at 0 mph.
 
My fastest processor is the one in my mp3 player, it's been up to 80 mph, but I expect a vast speed increase the next time I fly.
 
Sorry, I couldn't resist and I'm a total geek.

 
They are as fast as ever my old desktop a 2.2 p4 run at 0 mph my new core 2 duo 6700 runs at 0 mph.
 
My fastest processor is the one in my mp3 player, it's been up to 80 mph, but I expect a vast speed increase the next time I fly.
 
Sorry, I couldn't resist and I'm a total geek.
 
That's funny, but you don't look like a serial killer.... I mean geek..  
 
 
Depends upon how much money he can spend.....how much can you afford for a new system?

woodchuk gave you a good link for comparison info, sadly, it desnt go back to the old Athlon XPs.
 
Its takes a little digging, but there is an older series of benchmarks here at THG that will give you information a little closer to what you want..."The mother of all CPU charts" (hey, I didnt name it..just pointing it out)
 
http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/1 [...] age28.html
 
I dont think thay have a 2800XP listed, but they do have 2600 semprons and 3200XPs. Its closer than looking at the A64 2800

 
Link please.
 
Nevermind i have an fx-55 and an fx-60 and see 0 difference.

Oh, by the by, AMD supossedly has a 20% price cut coming in early to mid july, so you may want to wait a few more weeks

Being that old its best to do a overhaul if you can swing it. Thats if you wanted to play the latest and greatest and depending on what resolution, go with a nice flat panel...
 

i compared my system against a 3800 and a 4400, looks like 40% and 80% CPU speed gain comparatively.
 
If anyone's interested, i ran PCMark05 on my system for comparison.