Can you deactivate the 4th core on the athlon x3

Yes to deactivate, Who knows about getting it stable. I have heard far more SUCCESS stories than people who couldnt. So worth a shot, its a good budget/mainstream cpu.

Thanks man you're a life saver. I was about to get the fx and i found this cheaper option. but for later upgrading would you recommend the fx-4100

Based on Newegg prices, an Athlon X3 ranges between $78 - $85. The FX-4100 sells for $100. It makes no sense buying an Athlon X3, then upgrading to the FX-4100 later since the price difference is only $15 - $22 depending on which Athlon X3 you intend on buying.

The Athlon X3's performance is considered sub-par and the FX series in general are considered adequate.

Get this for 125$ instead, it's better than both of these CPU's  

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Athlon x3 is still a step up from an x2. Neither of my x3's unlocked stabily fwiw. but then I didn't care i they did or not...

Both the X3 435's I've had unlocked and clocked to 3.2GHZ fine, basically got two 955's for a deal cheaper :-)
Stability of unlocked cores is not guaranteed though, there may be a good reason they were locked and binned as X3's, I'd take one over an Fx4100 though personally
Moto

thanks guys for all your help. also if you guys know anything about the raidmax agusta and its release date. I would be the happiest man alive.
ANyways thank you all of you for your guy's help