OK I have the option of getting an AMD 64 X2 3800 , 4200 , 4400 , or the 4800. How big of a difference is 1mb to 2 mb L2 cache? the mghz doesnt really matter cause I plan on oc'ing it anyways. im getting a combo deal , any of those cpu's and this mobo GigaByte GA-K8N-SLI Motherboard. 3800 with the board is 429 4800 with the board will be 999.

I personally like the Athlon 64 X2 4400+ on the new Toledo core. I have heard nothing but great feedback on these new cores and they outpreform the Intel Pentium D Presler cores. I wish I would have waited a few more months longer to get one of these now. Here is an Athlon 64 X2 4400+ on the new Toledo core for $497. So far these are the entry level Toledo cores. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103546 as for the amount of L2 cache, you really won't see any big advantages increas on 32bit OSes, but on 64bit OSes that seems to be another story. They did benchmarkings on for example on the Pentium 4 EM64T 630 with 2mb of L2 cache vs Pentium 4 EM64T 531 with 1mb of L2 cache and becnhmarked them on Windows XP 64. There was a noticable diff in preformance with the Pentium EM64T 630 over the Pentium 4 EM64T 531 thanks inpart to the Pentium EM64T 630 larger L2 cache. AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2GB Dual Channel DDR 3200 Nvidia 6800GT SATA II 250gig 7200rpm 8mb cache Gigabyte Nforce 4 SLI

I dont think the 4400+ is worth the extra money. If you have a lot of money free then go for the 4400+ or up. Otherwise just get a 4200+. OS: Windows XP Pro/ Linux Fedora Core 4 CPU: AMD X2 4200+ RAM: Corsair 1GB Dual Channel PC3200 GFX: MSI 7800GT MB: MSI A8N-SLI

I also recommend the 4400 toledo core. However, if your plan is gaming, Is more important to get a good GPU. if you can get the 4400 plus a good GPU, great. But if not, I'd just go for the 3800 or 4200 and use the extra money on a better gpu. Free

But AMD are going to start slashing their prices on their cpu's to compete with intel so I wouldn't be shocked to see the new 4400+ go down to 420 bucks in the next 3 months or so. AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 2GB Dual Channel DDR 3200 Nvidia 6800GT SATA II 250gig 7200rpm 8mb cache Gigabyte Nforce 4 SLI

yeah, wait some weeks. AMD prices will go down an average of 25%!!!!!! Free