Dual-Core, Simple Price: Athlon 64 X2 3800+

Athlon 64 X2 4800+ And 4400+

The Toledo processor design is available in both 4800+ and 4400+ models, but could soon be joined by one or more counterparts. Anybody who studies the table presented in the previous section can't help but notice that a 4000+ model with a 1 MB L2 cache for each core is conspicuous by its absence. We're willing to speculate that AMD must already have a successor to its 3800+ waiting in the wings.

We must, however, cast a skeptical eye at whether a 4000+ model actually makes sense. That's because, as with other AMD processor families, boosting the base clock to 200 MHz makes a much bigger difference than doubling the L2 cache. If the price differences between models were linear, then the lower numbered model for each processor speed would win out (3800+ over 4000+, 4200+ over 4400+, and 4600+ over 4800+). But because price increases aren't linear, precise comparisons based purely on capabilities aren't possible - and that's doubly the case for completely-outfitted PC systems.