Best AMD Proc on a $300 Budget?

[ghent915]

Hey guys.
I recently got screwed out of a CABNE Opty 146 as the USPS lost my package. I finally scrounged together enough money to go out an buy a new proc, and have a $300 Budget. I'm looking for your suggestions on what to get.

I currently have a DFI SLI-DR Mobo, Patriot TCCD Memory (can't remember the exact model #, runs 2225 @ddr400 I know), and an XFX7800gt. The proc will be watercooled by a Swiftech Storm, with a BIP 120.2 Rad.

Basically, I want a good strong processor for gaming, mostly BF2 and Civ4. Any/all suggestions would be welcome. As you can see, I am not adverse to overclocking, as my system can certainly keep it cool.

Thanks, as always.
-Ghent

[nfm]

1.8Ghz Dual-core Opteron gets my vote. Currently they go for $305

[003]

I just ordered a dual core otperon 165 from monarch computer for $290 (oem), but they are out of stock and have an ETA of the 28th.

[Waffles]

ygpm

[ghent915]

Before I go to sleep.
Since this is for my gaming rig, single core appeals to me just a touch more than a dualie. I've read (FWIW), that a single core for todays games is a better choice, since most games are written with only 1 core in mind.

In that light, I must admit that the Opty 150's are looking might spiffy to me right now.

HOWEVER: I'm open minded, and would love to hear arguements for/against dualies, as well as your thoughts on the opteron/AMD64 (normal) side of the equation as well. From what I can see (n00b as I may be), the opties are cheaper, OC better, and have double the l2 cache, which is always spifffy.

Thanks, as always.
-Ghent

[Supertim0r]

an other vote @ Opteron 165

[003]

Right now single core is better for games, but later up the road games are going to be multithreaded, and if you get single core, you will get bit in the ass. All games based off Unreal Engine 3 for example will be multithreaded. I think the Doom 3 engine is also multithreaded.

[Supertim0r]

i'll take the dual opty @ 3ghz over the 3gig single

[zir_blazer]

The best Processor to get for that price is Opteron 165. Don't wait for Multithreaded applications because you don't need them to take advantage of Dual Core or Dual Processor: You can load all Windows Processes and such in one Core and leave the other one entirely for running a Single Threaded Processor intensive task, and you can even continue using the computer while doing so. Try that with an Athlon 64 FX-57 and the cheapest Dual Core K8 (Opteron 165) and say me who kicks what in where.
For the same money though you should be able to get a Single Core Processor of higher Frecuency. However, can you actually notice those 400 MHz when most applications runs blazingly fast on any Athlon 64 anyways? You don't need to be a hardcore Multitasking to notice the overall agility of Windows, but I should congratulate you if you can notice a few extra FPS in games when it is already running over what the human eye may see.
On the other hand, for all those who considers themselves "Hardcore gamers", being one is far away of just be the one with the machine that gives the most FPS, but you must also be great anfitrion of Lanparties and events. Try hosting a dedicate gaming server of a game and play at the same time in the server with a Single Core Processor: The game will take many Processor resources away from the dedicated server and you can in many heavy fights expect some type of lag. But in a Dual Core Processor you can simply assing one Core to the game and the other one to the server, as easy as that.

[LOE]

opteron 165 once more

new nvidia drivers make use of dual cores, next gen game engines will do it too
the chip clocks too well for it's price, and you will be able to play while you are doing something else in the background with minimal fps drop