amd athlon 64: 3000+, 3200+, or 3700+?

[notquitedead]

I want to build the best gaming and multi-tasking pc I can within my budget. Someone has suggested the 3000+ Venice already, but I can't see any reason not to pay a little more and get the 3200+. However, I'd rather get the 3700+ San Diego for the huge l2 cache...

Is there a huge difference in performance between the 3700+ SD and the 3200+ Venice? I want this computer to be good enough to last me the next few years without needing huge upgrades (other than the video card).

 

[BigLu]

i have the 3200+ and i haven't had a problem yet. Although the bigger L2 cache of the 3700+ would make a big diference. If you have the budget, go for it.

 

[notquitedead]

I can afford it, I just don't know if I want to, lol. So you think it's worth it then?

 

[TRDCorolla1]

If you want it to last I suggest dual core or Athlon FX series CPU.

 

[notquitedead]

Haha... too expensive. I wish, though.

 

[TRDCorolla1]

Yup, defintely too costly. I'm defintely getting dual core on my next build though. Whenever that maybe, next year sometime? Time to save up for it.

But seriously though, for gaming and multitasking, dual core will help. But if you choose to go with a standard Athlon 64 CPU, get the fastest you can buy. I would settle for the 3200 because you can OC it higher than if you were to get the 3000.

 

[Wiredchild]

I'd never used one until i whacked my new 3500+ in my mobo last night and it's obsencely fast. Why not sit in between the 3200+ and 3700+ and go for a 3500+, not so much of a price jump and the performance seems outstanding.

 

[notquitedead]

I thought about it before, but back then a 3700+ San Diego only costed $279 on newegg. I figured I might as well pay the extra ~$50 to get the 3700+ instead of the 3500. Now the 3700+ is up to $299 but I might still get it. The 1MB l2 cache is what is keeping me from getting a 3000+ or 3200+.

 

[Dviper2]

Your better off with a 3400+ or a 3500+

 

[Wiredchild]

I got my 3500+ for £139, i thought that was a good price.

I was considering exactly the same thing. There's always the "Ooo, it's only £50 more and it's much better". I think a 3500+ is perfect. It's away from the 3000+ kinda lowest Athlon 64's. And getting into the higher end ones without the price tag. It certainly does the trick for moi. I'd go for a 3500+, definately.