x2 3600 better ?

[caamsa]

The problem is I don't know what question he has asked?
I supposed his asked if the X2 3600+ was "fast enough".

Fast enough for what? To do what? What level of performance is acceptable?

Sort of like asking, "I'm thinking of buying a Toyota Prius. Will I find the engine powerful enough for what I want?"

True, but I am just saying if he is set on buying an AMD system you would have better luck convincing a chimp it should take a pastrami sandwich over a banana than convincing the guy to get an Intell set up.

I am not sure if he knows what the heck to get. I would not match up a X2 3600+ with a 8800GT????

 

[drdoom1337]

I am only thinking of matching the two until amd realeases the b3's. It's more of an interrum thing.

 

[roadrunner197069]

I am only thinking of matching the two until amd realeases the b3's. It's more of an interrum thing.

By the time B3's come around Intel will probably have an Octo.

 

[lunyone]

Intel: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007461
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005514
AMD: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007272
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80725-8
They're similar in price, but I don't want to overclock, another reason why I think amd would be an ok choice.

I understand where your coming from. I just upgraded my son's computer and only had about $200 to do it. I had a e6700 already , but would've went with AMD, since I can get a decent mobo w/decent options for less $ than an Intel one. A ~$65 AMD mobo w/a ~$70 CPU (x2 4200) is a nice cheap option (~$135 total). Now a Intel e2140 ~$74 and a p35 mobo ~$90 is a nice option, but you'd need to OC the e2140 just a bit to make it better than the x2 4200 (~$165 total). Sometimes when I'm building a system a $30 price difference ($135 AMD vs. $165 Intel) will make or break the budget. Yes the $30 on the current performance KING (Intel) would probably make more sense, but with TF2 and CSS being your primary games, you won't need anything too demanding, especially with a 8800gt under the hood.
With you having a tight budget of $200, I'd much rather go with an Intel build, but your the one making/spending on the build, so AMD build is what your going to get. I think your ideas for a nice Phenom in the future is honorable, since I'm sure AMD should not make this mistake anytime soon (if they want to have a future). I'm also hoping that they get the Phenom done right and give Intel some much needed competetion.
So to sum it up:
NO OC'ing (as you stated), limited budget, and Phenom upgrade later = AMD x2 CPU and AM2+ mobo (as you linked). Only issue is that you'll not be able to take advantage of the Xfire option on the mobo, since you have an nVidia GPU. You'd need any SLI mobo to have 2 nVidia GPU's, but that my not be an issue with you. If I was getting that mobo you linked for the AMD AM2+, I'd be getting the 3870 or 3850 and then buying another when/if you upgrade your monitor.
"IF" you did some light OC'ing (which you should with this option), than the Intel e2140/60 and a p35 mobo would be a smart option too. Since you stated that you don't want to OC, than this option isn't what you want. It would be a good solid option, if you eventually considered it.
Finally to answer your original question, YES the x2 3800 and a AM2+ mobo would be a decent upgrade from your P4 system.
Whew!!! That was a bit too much for such a simple question, I guess. Just needed to get that off my chest, I guess

 

[caamsa]

I am only thinking of matching the two until amd realeases the b3's. It's more of an interrum thing.

If that is the case then why not just wait.

 

[drdoom1337]

I really could wait, but i'm not sure if I want to. If I keep waiting, I might up selling my 8800gt and getting a 3870 because for either new intel or amd motherboards i can use crossfire. I only bought the 8800gt cause it was $222 shipped, and an overclocked MSI version.

 

[dario77]

how about, instead of fanning further fanboi flames, we just agree that the most sensible move at this point, whether considering either side, would be to wait until all the variables (b3 steppings, sb700 for am2+ boards, etc.) are available, stressed and benched and thoroughly proven to be...whatever they wind up to be.
i'm straddling a similar fence, friend. frankly, i'm loathe to choose either side at this point...amd has to charge waaaaaay more than they ought to due to their current fiscal position, and intel has the crown and can charge whatever the hell they want. never knew a day when i'd say "thank gods for the price of ram!!!"
see? logic, left unfettered by fanboi-ism, gives a simple answer. wait at least until sb700, that is the important key...if sb700 manages to prop up the new chipset (along with maturation of the platform, bioses, etc.), then you've got a viable option. it could even wind up being worth spending more on the board and trading the 8800 for ati (if the sb700 crossfire is even most of what amd claims it will be). then all you have to count on is a dramatic improvement with the b3 k10s...
either way, am3 (or somesuch other new pinout...who can tell?) is shortly imminent...just as shortly as 775 (again...nonpartisan), give or take a month or two.
incidentally, unless you're doing hardcore video editing or CAD or batches of 20+ pictures in photoshop...you won't need quad core for just now. yes, there will be games in the near future that will benefit...sometime around the time when both the blue and the green introduce new pinouts.
forgive my rambling...its late and i've read far too many passionate posts on the topic. but whether you look at the situation from the side of the green or the blue, from the best possible case to the worst likely disaster...the wise wallet waits and sees.

-ps....hahaha, i just thought of the only app that many of us could see benefiting greatly from quad core.....VISTA!!! if only vista easily recognized quadcore processors...

 

[Reynod]

drdoom I suggest you ignore the abuse because if you respond your likely to cop the blame anyway.

I recommended the low end X2 because that's what you asked for.

I recommended the ATI 3850 because it is far better than any ofthe other mid range cards at that price point ... the 8800GT has been priced out of most people's budget because it is so good. The 2600 / 8600 cards are all rubbish.

I am an NV graphics fan myself -- I have 6800U and 7900GT cards in most of my kids gaming boxes - mostly low end X2's.

I have an Intel P3 Firewall which is rocksolid - gets turned off every 90 days for a dusting and that's about it.

I also have an Intel rig here ... yeah ... fancy that?

$140 won't even buy you a decent Intel Mobo will it??

 

[tlmck]

Intel: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007461
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10005514
AMD: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10007272
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80725-8
They're similar in price, but I don't want to overclock, another reason why I think amd would be an ok choice.

It is clear you are not going to be happy with anything other than AMD. My only input would be that MSI=crap. After two bad boards, they received a lifetime ban from me. Their prices are cheap for a reason. If a MB does not say ASUS or Gigabyte, I do not buy it, although for low end systems, I will use the free ECS MB's included in Fry's combo deals.

And, I have personally used AMD since my old 386DX40 system. This year I upgraded to low end Core2Duo from Athlon64, because it was the best bang for the buck, and the best tech available. I was also not an avid overclocker. It took me about 10 minutes, due to my own errors, to get a stable 3 ghz overclcok on my E4300. With the right parts, it is that simple.(see my "informations"). And, when I get ready, I can just drop in a 45nm Penryn. No further upgrade needed. With the lower end vid card, sales and rebates, my 3 ghz system cost me right at $400.

Personally I am rooting for AMD, but I always buy the best tech for the money at the time I need it. And this year at least, that is Intel.

 

[Iain1974]

Dr Doom, have you considered the X2 5000 Black Edition? I picked one up for $107 (with shipping) a few weeks ago from TigerDirect.

Recent history tells us that AMD's tend to miss deadlines so the 'holdover' chip you select may be with you for a while.