Which Processor?

[Nightfire]

1.)AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Manchester 1GHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor

2.)AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego 1GHz HT 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor

1.)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Manchester 1GHz HT 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket 939 Dual Core Processor


2.)
AMD Athlon 64 4000+ San Diego 1GHz HT 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor


The 4000 operating frequency is actually faster than the 4200. Now the question between these two is I heard Duel Cores atm aren't that reliable for games. Also it bugged me that it's operating frequency was lower. I heard that Duel cores are great for multi-tasking but what about games?.

[Ben]

Not sure,i supose it depends what you want it for.

If its for gaming go with 2, if you dont game much go for 1.

[Dale]

I'd get the top one, they're not really that much worse for gaming... and the cache is bigger / better on the 1st one

Although i'm not an expert on processors so ...

[carrotderek]

Many games these days are programmed with a single processor in mind. The extra power of a Dual Core is not optimized for it. The programming languages are not written in a way to accomadate an extra processor.

However more recent games are being made to fully utilize the extra power through parallel programming (same instructions executed at the same time). As games become more and more complex and demand more power, they will need to be written to utilize more power.

I think Unreal 3 engine is optimized to take advantage of dual-core processors

[Samuel]

Either. Their both great. Although I would lean in at the dual-core. Its probably cheaper.

[Nightfire]

Well the duel core isn't cheaper and I know that the single cores are going out. So for future games I'm guessing it's best to get a duel core. I just hate that it's operating frequency is slower than that of ther single core and it's 200MHz slower than the duel core.

Anyone know if half life 2 is made for a duel core?

[carrotderek]

Well dual-cores have been known to outperform single-coress with higher mhz.

Try comparing the stats

4200+ X2 http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/...3261_3565416__8

4000+
http://www.sharkyextreme.com/hardware/cpu/...cle.php/3424131

Games may be diff but oh wells :P

[Nightfire]

Yeah I think I will go with the Duel core for it will still be quite and upgrade and I hear it's really fast for photoshop :P.

another question though :P is Gigabyte GA-K8U-939 Socket 939 ULi M1689 ATX AMD Motherboard a good solid motherboard?

[Samuel]

Stick to Asus for motherboards

[Nightfire]

Thanks, I've seen quite a few Asus MB so I'll take a look. Seems though I will have to set back getting this for a few months though my current computer's motherboard went out and I have to get the exact same they say to even have a chance of it rebooting and having everything on the hardrive still.