hi all,i am about to assemble a completely new system.the question is, should i get an amd 64 3000+ or the 3700+? normally, i would go with the 3000+ since i think the 3700+ is not THAT much faster when running fs9 (especially since it is more than twice as expensive!). the latter has 1 mb of level 2 cache over 512 kb that the 3000+ has.could anybody tell me if a bigger level 2 cache makes a difference in fs9? i mean, a noticeable difference?thanks!regardsDenisi plan on an agp geforce 6800GT, asus mb and 1 gb of dual channel ram.

Hi Denis, I doubt somebody will give you a writen confirmation regarding a noticeable improvement. AFAIK, noticeable is 'defined' as ca 30% plus and I doubt the 3700 will produce such a difference. I'ld suggest to get as much CPU as you can afford and that there are also a couple of other variations inbetween the 2 you mentioned (i.e. the 3500). Wishing you heaps of fun with your new FlyTendo, good luck and kind regards Jaap Edit, seeing the AGP mention, Denis, IMHO and if already performing such a major upgrade, perhaps do yourself a favour and get a nForce4 mainboard with a PCI-e display adapter?

thanks Jaap,the only reason i was looking into the 3700+ was the double size level-2 cache, not the processor speed. that's why i think (looking at the prices) the 3000+ would probably be the beast deal to get.the reason i was thinking AGP is that i couldn't find a 6800GT PXIe, but i did just now. and the sli-board is on sale at newegg, too. so i am probably going for that. but i'll take my time... ;)thanks.regardsDenis

Hi Denis, you're welcome. Adding a thought to 2nd level cache sizes, I believe it does help. I.e. Intel seems to be trying to compete with AMD's 64-ers by increasing the cache sizes (maybe to compensate for their 'deficit in technology' and to have more marketable digits in their specs?). Therefore and if you have a little extra cash at hand, perhaps don't rule out the 3700 San Diego? AIM, I doubt the difference will fulfill the definition of 'noticeable' but... As for the mainboard, if your not going to use more than 2 displays or a SLi config, the nForce4 Ultra also seems a reasonably priced option. From what I've read, FS doesn't benefit from using 2 PCI-e cards and i.e. 3 displays. I hope this is an area in which the next version of FS will improve... Have fun, good luck and kind regards Jaap

hey Jaap,it's probably not worth spending twice the money on the 3700+ over the 3000+, for a 0.7 fps increase. i mean, even on my old 2600 with an ati 9600 pro 128mb, the fps were fine - except when i was approaching simflyers KPHX + myTraffic + PMDG 737 or taxi around there, respectively.but yeah, thanks, same to you, Jaap!Denis

Hi Denis, I fully agree that double the price for 0.7 fps is not worthwhile. Nevertheless, being patient pays and FYI, AMD has recently cut the prices for various CPUs by ca. 20% (except for < 3400s where prices remained stable). This usually signifies we won't see anymore fluctuations the coming 3 months. You'll certainly notice the difference using an AMD64 CPU with the addons you mention. Have fun, good luck and kind regards Jaap http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/08/01/amd_price_cuts/