AMD purchase suggestions.

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In my opinion, by the time dual core is needed, you'll be on your next cpu for gaming. Nearly any chip is sufficient for gaming, it's the gpu that can demand your cash. The reasoning behind this is because a player can tone down the graphics and play with a lesser graphics card, but game creators don't have that same option when designing a game's minimum spec in the cpu arena. If they make a game that NEEDS dual core, it won't sell enough copies to make a profit. Down the road, dual core will be mainstream, but for now, I'd save the cash and get a faster single core for cheaper. Btw, no, there aren't any 2 mb L2 cache single core chips. However, if you look at latencies, the L2 cache of AMD chips is a lot lower than the competition. (much less delay)

First of all, do you have a budget in mind? That always helps

I would go with a 3700+ If I were you, the recent steppings seem to overclock like beasts (some people are getting 3GHz).

However if you have a bit more cash lying around a 4000+ might be good for you, if you want to go Dual Core you can go for an opty (better overclockers) or a regular amd 64 (slightly cheaper).

If you have megabucks you could always go for the AMD FX-60 the creme de la creme of AMD (will burn extremely large hole in your pocket).

As for 2mb L2, I dont believe there is an AMD processor with 2mb L2 cache however the Dual core 4000+ and up are all 1mb cache x 2 (1mb for each cahce) so thats kind of 2mb

Good Luck

Dual core 939 unit vs 2x single 940 Optys
The 940 use 800MHz the 939 use 1000
As said, the Sandy 3700+ have been OCing rather well... anyway whether that or a 146 Opty ... it's the luck of the draw on the stepping

I just upgraded myself, and had to make this decision. I went with the 148 opty, as it's only $20's more then a 3700+ and some of the 3700+'s (at the least the one I got) can be Dual core's with one core disabled (which isn't great for OCing). The 148 opty stepping I got was just OC'd here to 3.0ghz, so I'm looking forward to setting it up. I ordered it on Wednesday and got it today from newegg..

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