What's new info here is that even such a high end video card as an 8800GTS will play nice with the lowly X2 3800. Previously, I pointed out how you can and should spend twice on the video card as the cpu for a gaming machine on a budget. Here you can spend about 3x's as much!
(note this is an 8800GTS. For an 8800GTX you need more cpu horsepower)
Because of a critical fact: framerates above 60 fps are very difficult for the human eye to distinguish, and above 70 impossible. So 95 fps is no better than 70 fps.
When the most demanding current games are played at high resolutions, 1920x, then they are limited by the video card, and the X2 3800 is generally as good as an X2 5200 or e6400 in framerates. (when under 60 fps, an improvement of only 2 fps at 1920x with a better cpu just isn't enough to matter to the eye either)
When these games are played at lower resolutions like 1280x, then the framerates are generally above 60 fps with an x2 3800. So you are already there.
Let me repeat for clarity. The higher framerates at 1280x you could get with a better cpu or overclocking don't matter when those framerates are above 60 fps already with the x2 3800.
[EDIT: since it does require careful reading, let me simplify: the 3800 is basically as good as faster cpus remembering the 60 fps limit of perception in all the games except for 1: Lock On: Modern Air Combat. Only players of this game need more cpu for their 8800GTS for actual real life experience of play.]
Here's a great review of the 8800s with various cpus in most of the best games:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/geforce_8800_gtx_gts_amd_cpu_scaling/default.asp
That all means you can put a 8800GTS with an x2 3800, and have good results, and save your money for the next generation cpu at the end of this year (or anytime after).
This is a pleasant new idea, where you can build a gaming machine rather cheap with top performance for now, and save money for a drop-in upgrade of your cpu to the next generation that is coming (drop-in compatible with AM2 boards).
Some people like to overclock, and the conclusion is even more so. This is a great cpu choice for actual gaming results.
Some might have more money available, but still want to be frugal. That describes me. I'd think about an x2 4200 up to an x2 5200, since I like to use the QuietNCool feature (these powerful cpus idle a lot, and why burn electricity overclocking them? -- saves some energy and noise).
(note this is an 8800GTS. For an 8800GTX you need more cpu horsepower)
Because of a critical fact: framerates above 60 fps are very difficult for the human eye to distinguish, and above 70 impossible. So 95 fps is no better than 70 fps.
When the most demanding current games are played at high resolutions, 1920x, then they are limited by the video card, and the X2 3800 is generally as good as an X2 5200 or e6400 in framerates. (when under 60 fps, an improvement of only 2 fps at 1920x with a better cpu just isn't enough to matter to the eye either)
When these games are played at lower resolutions like 1280x, then the framerates are generally above 60 fps with an x2 3800. So you are already there.
Let me repeat for clarity. The higher framerates at 1280x you could get with a better cpu or overclocking don't matter when those framerates are above 60 fps already with the x2 3800.
[EDIT: since it does require careful reading, let me simplify: the 3800 is basically as good as faster cpus remembering the 60 fps limit of perception in all the games except for 1: Lock On: Modern Air Combat. Only players of this game need more cpu for their 8800GTS for actual real life experience of play.]
Here's a great review of the 8800s with various cpus in most of the best games:
http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/geforce_8800_gtx_gts_amd_cpu_scaling/default.asp
That all means you can put a 8800GTS with an x2 3800, and have good results, and save your money for the next generation cpu at the end of this year (or anytime after).
This is a pleasant new idea, where you can build a gaming machine rather cheap with top performance for now, and save money for a drop-in upgrade of your cpu to the next generation that is coming (drop-in compatible with AM2 boards).
Some people like to overclock, and the conclusion is even more so. This is a great cpu choice for actual gaming results.
Some might have more money available, but still want to be frugal. That describes me. I'd think about an x2 4200 up to an x2 5200, since I like to use the QuietNCool feature (these powerful cpus idle a lot, and why burn electricity overclocking them? -- saves some energy and noise).
By then, perhaps ATI will make it nice pricewise. 
yea i think so 2 but i wonder how much.
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