AMD's Athlon 64 X2 4800+ & 4200+ Dual Core Performance
 

Now armed with final silicon, our stance on AMD's Athlon 64 X2 doesn't change at all - AMD clearly has the faster overall dual core desktop solution, but at a price that will be out of reach for most users. Eventually, AMD's pricing will fall to a level that is far more reasonable, but unfortunately that time won't be until 2006 at the earliest. We've already looked at the slow dual core vs. fast single core debate, but be prepared to be put in that very position later this year as both AMD and Intel bring their dual core CPUs to market at very different price points.

http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=2410

www.techreport.com has a very good write-up also, but Anandtech's multi-task tests really are the best around

The reason I prefer the lower heat Northwood HT is exactly that .... since I am not the absolute gamer and bench marking chaser ;)

Still, all these are done without the benefit of mature softwares in capitalizing 64-bit. It will be fun in the coming 12 months seeing more and more Dual core coming down in price, perhaps X2 will be unlocked soon.

for the moment my fx53@14*200 still is top of the line, since it's purely a gamerig.
I never mix apps.

There is always the inner child in everyone of us ..... new toys :)

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...+loves+his+toy

for someone so much in touch with his inner child you seem awefully mature :D

no child would wait 12 months for a new toy because the price ain't right yet ;p