AMD Phenom 2 Athlon 2 Confusion

[StreetBobber09]

Ok all I am pulling my hair out trying to figure out what CPU to choose for my first computer build. What I want to get out of this is a computer for around $500 or so. I just need to figure out what CPU to use since AMD has so many right around $100 range. The only game I would like to start playing is Flight Simulator X. Other than that I just need it to run multiple apps and windows 7 so I am thinking about a triple core X3.

I have been looking at Phenom 2 X3 720 B.E. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649
Athlon 2 X3 435 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103724
Phenom 2 X2 545 Calisto http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103694
Phenom 2 x2 550 Calisto B.E. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

I start getting really confused on if I need a higher clock speed and less cores or do I really need the L3 Cache that Phenoms have and also I usually run multiple apps at a time so I should need more cores. I am EXTREMELY CONFUSED.

Also I never overclocked so I don’t know if I will or how easy it is to do. Any help and information would be greatly appreciated. I hope to order parts this week.

 

[smithereen]

Out of those options, the Phenom II 720 would be the best choice. You could even OC it a bit, it isn't hard with BE cpus.

 

[StreetBobber09]

Yeah thats the one that I kept going back to. Do you or anyone know whats up with the windows 7 system builders pack? I need to buy windows 7 but dont know if the "system builders pack" as shown on new egg is the full version or how it works.

 

[dunklegend]

Why not get the 620 it's 4 cores for 99.99?

 

[StreetBobber09]

Yeah thats a deal to but then it gets into what about the L3 cache. Is that something thats really needed for games? This is where I get confused becuase there are so many options.