AMD X2-3800+ Is it worth using

SD-Plissken · Post by **SD-Plissken** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 5:50 am

I have a chance to get ahold of an AMD X2-3800+ though the original build was based on a 3000+. is it worth using in a quiet based system. also what are the benifits of x2 other than multi-tasking as this machine is not for gaming.

Parts already have for system
1) BioStar Tforce939
2) One-Gig 512x2 ddr400
3) SilverStone SST-ST365
4) SamSung 40gig 2.5" Drive
5) CD/Rw Drive
6) Generic Case.

frostedflakes · Post by **frostedflakes** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:00 am

Unless you do a lot of gaming, encoding, etc., I wouldn't bother. But if you really want one, wait until Conroe shows up -- dual core prices are supposed to drop like crazy, I think X2 3800+ will be ~$150.

SD-Plissken · Post by **SD-Plissken** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:05 am

frostedflakes thanks. The machine will eventually do some 3drendering/EAGLE Layout/SPICE Simulations. 150$ seems pretty good for what you get.

autoboy · Post by **autoboy** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:18 am

a X2 can be just as quiet as a single core system. They don't really use much power.

nina · Post by **nina** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:46 am

If you ever want to use Vista, dual-core is a good thing to have.

SD-Plissken · Post by **SD-Plissken** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:23 pm

thanks for help. if anyone has more to add please do.

klankymen · Post by **klankymen** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:30 pm

well, I'll agree with frostedflakes, I don't know how cheaply you can get it now, but it'll be nice and cheap with the arrival of conroe, and I know I'm going to pick up a 3800 X2 or maybe even a 4X00 X2 if I don't spend to much on my SFF system

Big Pimp Daddy · Post by **Big Pimp Daddy** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:38 pm

I moved from a 2.2Ghz AthlonXP to an X2-3800 and feel it was worth every penny of the full retail price , if you can get one cheaper than that, and have the money to spare, then I don't see your dilemma. Even if you're not going to make full use of both cores, just having an extra core in windows is nice, especially if you often have several different applications open, it just makes everything smoother. That's my 2 cents anyway.

nemo · Post by **nemo** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 12:38 am

if you are doing 3d rendering then dual core is an absolute must. In fact, 3d rendering is one of the few fields where you will benefit fully from dual core processors.

smilingcrow · Post by **smilingcrow** » Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:22 am

If the price is right then go for it. I recently sold my X2 3800 for Â£175 as I was going to sell it in the next couple of months anyway and I didnâ€™t want to take the pain of this months price cuts. I picked up a cheap A64 3200 on eBay to tide me over and even when using the system for non intensive usage, I now really appreciate the multi-tasking skills of dual-core even more. Add in the extra oomph when running video editing, media encoding applications etc and I wouldnâ€™t use a single core CPU if they were giving them away with packets of cereal. With AM2 Semprons as cheap as Â£32 this is only a matter of time