What is $300> gaming processor?

3800 is expensive. Go for the 3700+. Very powerful and great for gaming.

But you might want to wight half a year or so. All the prices are gonna drop cuz of the new processors that are coming out, both the conroe and the enw amd.

3700+ sandy, i'm happy as hell moreso than my friend who bought a 4200+ for twice as much.

Get an Opty 165! Overclock the **** out of it!

Id personally go dual core. The x2 3800 has had some pretty good overclocks by members on here and its somewhat 'futureproof' if you plan on staying amd. I love my 3700+. Its cheap and overclocks great. Single core go with the 3700 and multi-core go with the x2 3800.

The problem is that it will probably be at least 1/2 year before they make games that fully take advantage of the dual processor, so i wouldnt waste money on it just yet. Opty 165's are good too, they'll outdo a lot of strong p'4s. Your choice, but if i had cash i would get the 3700+.

Get an Opteron. They kick the crap out of any Athlon 64

No they don't. In fact, for the price, Athlons are much better. both the Opteron 146 and Athlon 3700+ are about $215, and the 3700+ smokes the 146. Same cache, 200MHz faster.

My 3700 has plenty of power for me and runs very cool, load temps are 36c with stock heatsink and 80 mm fan zip tied to heatsink! lol. I would get a 3700 SD over an Opteron any day. The newer stepping 3700's are producing some amazing overclocks and will be better than any opty IMO.

The new Opteron 148s are getting roughly 2.8-2.9GHz with air, while some people have been getting the new 3700+s to 3 GHz on stock cooling. There is NOTHING better about the Opteron.

an optron 165 dual core

If multi-core gaming is only 6 months away, and in some cases, already out....then wouldn't it make sense for me to get the dual core? Isn't dual core the "processor of the future"? This latest upgrade is going to have to last me for probably 2 years......I want to get a solid processor that will meet my needs and then a 7800 or 7900 to compliment

I can afford to put about $600 more into my current setup. This does not include the Biostar MOBO I just bought. I want a gaming rig that plows thru any game out or thats coming out for the next 6 mos.

If you want to get the dual core, go for it. But it's not worth it, paying that much. The 3700+ will last you for the 2 years and will overclock nicely. It also won't burn a hole through your pocket. Once the conroe comes out, the new amd will come out, and the 3800+ wil drop down in price. If you really want the dual core at least wait till new stuff comes out.