Quake3World

Whats good right now, but not too expensive? Is dual core useful performance wise, not multi tasking wise? Like is an ATHLON64 X2 3800+ faster than ATHLON64 4000+ in games? If not, then is the price difference between a 3700+ and a 4000+ worth it?

For current games, a faster single core CPU is the way to go.

However, ATi and Nvidia both are optimizing their drivers for dual core, and are proclaiming a 20% performance benefit. I find that hard to believe...it's probably only in certain circumstances. Plus, if you clocked your 2.0GHz CPU to 2.6GHz, that's a 20% improvement in clock speed, and you can do that easily with a 3500+ Venice core. Most do it on stock cooling & voltage. And it's $150 cheaper.

[FTF]Pyro wrote: Games. Absolutely not. No engine that I am aware of has been written to take advantage of Dual core in any way shape or form.

F.E.A.R is dual core aware

whoa. You got owned, hard.