The best one?

[SlyFie]

Should I get the AMD Athlon 64 3700+ for $233 or the AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ for $323?

1) Is it worth the extra money?

2) What performance increase will I experience?

Thanks ahead of time guys.

 

[endyen]

The X2 is a dual core chip. If you run mostly progs that use workstation tech, get that. If this is for gaming, get the 3700. If this is just an e-machine, get a 3200.

 

[SlyFie]

Itll be used for gaming and apps such as Photoshop and some video editing...

 

[endyen]

Photoshop, and most video editing progs are workstation progs. If you use these a lot, an X2 may be ok for you. Just understand that games will run slightly slower. You could make that up by getting a better gfx card.

 

[SlyFie]

They run slower? How does that work out?

 

[tweebel]

Games generally only use one core, and because both of the X2 cores run slower than the 3700 core, the game will run slower.

 

[shata]

I bet you this though...
I gotta 939 3000+ and its FAST for what i use it for like games.
I get 11948 in 3dmark03
that x2 wont proform below a 3000 i bet you.

 

[SlyFie]

So I should just stick to the 3700?

 

[endyen]

If the main use is games, a 3700 is faster than an X2 3800. If the main use is photoshop/video encoding the X2 is faster.
If they are equal use, get the X2 and a better graphics card.
In gaming, a better graphics card will usually do more for you, than a faster chip.