Need help choosing a processor/video card

[SirFelixCat]

Hey guys, obviously, I'm new around here, but have lurked and have found this place to be a wealth of knowledge..I think I know enough to be just barely dangerous now, which says a whole lot compared to what I knew before I found this place...anyway, onto the questions:

I am building a new gaming/online poker/surfing rig and have a budget of @ $1700 not including the monitor. I have tenatively decided on the EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard, but the big question now is on the processor...

- AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 1GHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor

-AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

-AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

or

AMD Opteron 175 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

Now, obviously, there is a BIG price difference, but let's assume that I can make any of the above work, budget-wise...which to choose?

I've seen where the dual-cores are much better at multi-tasking, which I will do a lot of when not gaming, but I really don't know how the L2 cache differences affect a computer and how it runs...that seems to be the only difference between the Manchester and the Toledo...any help there as well?

Also, I'm reading a good bit on the Opteron processors...should I go that route?

Lastly, where is a good place to find benchmarks for the difference between the various 7800GT vid cards and possibly the 7800GTX.

Thanks all.

 

[SirFelixCat]

Anyone wanna throw me a bone here? Please?

 

[stevty2889]

The extra cache doesn't make any huge differance in most cases, so I wouldnt' worry about it too much. I have the X2 4200+ and it's been great for me. What kind of multitasking do you do? If it's just having a bunch of webpages open while listening to music etc., you don't really need a dual core for that, and would probably be better with the 3700+. If you do some more CPU intensive multitasking, then I would go with the 4200+.

 

[betterkarma4519]

ooo...I would recommend (unequovically) the 3700+ for gaming....just bought one and I )ouldn't be happier. Dual core will win you some respect in most PC circles, but I would suggest to wait to upgrade until they're more mainstream and programs can take full advantage. Take that $150 and invest it into a better video card...or put it away and buy a dual-core a bit later on when they're a better value.

 

[Markfw]

I say the 175. Same as the 4400, but more thoroughly tested.

On a side note, welcome to the forums, but beware that "Felixthecat" was one of the worst trolls on this board, so I hope its not you, or somebody doesn;t mistake you for him if you are not !

And unless you have a lot of money to throw around, get the 7800 GT. Its close to as good, and way cheaper.

 

[drifter106]

unless your hell bent on getting the most fps and not going to o/c any, the evga gt co is gonna be the sweet spot

benchmarks

would suggest you read the entire review, I just gave you one page of results...

Agree with mark on the cpu selection and welcome to the forums!!

 

[snizzle]

if your gonna overclock i would recommend the opteron 165 if you can find it. or maybe the 170.

 

[mUcHiLuS]

if you gonna play games.i think you should buy the 3700+ san diego core. it's gonna help you rich high overclock scores. and better for gaming, but if you planning to use both worlds, (gaming and multitasking, buy the amdx2 3800+ it's the best for the money, and crazy oc processor.

 

[forumposter32]

6800 gs