AS for the Pentiums, a 3800 is equal to, or better than, a 3.8MHz. As for the C2D, there's not really a comparison because the C2D's blow it out of the water.
The difference isn't that much. Marginal is the word I would use. If your looking for a cheap fast computer go a bit and get the e6300 from newegg and get into the C2D phase. Pentium D and the 3800 won't stay on too much longer. Soon enough you will find yourself needing to upgrade yet again to stay with the pack. Might as well spend the money on a C2D and a good board, OC it if you wish and b able to not have to UG until it becomes necessary. You can find yourself spending the same amount of money in a year or less if you go ahead with the 3800 or the Pentium D.
i wouldn't go as far as to say anything like that. my spare rig is an Athlon XP 2500+ that i built just last year (long after i had my X2 3800). that runs great and there is no two ways about it. people think they need to upgrade.
Yeh i no my 2500 is strong as anything i rarely suffer from any performance issues just on the desktop on photoshop anything like that its only when i get to games.
Ok i have enough money for a AM2 X2 4200 now ... then again the Core 2 Duo 6300 is only 6 pounds more. Will i get alot more performance for 6 pounds more. Im english dont post a new egg link please.
Ok wow... I just saw something thats really cool. The E6300 Was Overclocked from 1.8ghz to 2.5ghz .... Then they showed the becnhmarks against Counterparts. In all but 1 tests (10 tests) It was faster than an FX-62... And total thrashed an X2 5000+. But to overclock that much can i leave it cooling with the default supplied fan in the retail kit. Or will i need some mega cooling.
Just incase this makes alot of differnce on running temps. Also in the case will be an X1950Pro, 1GB/1.5GB Pc 5300 Ram. All on a 350 watt stock PSU. But dont worry about the psu my dads so confident it will be fine that if it blows up or the pc wont start up he wil replace it all. LOL