I have a dual core, but its the newer socket (am2?). If you get a dual core, you need to download the daul core drivers from AMD. You are diffinatly better off with the dual core. It may be rated lower, but remember its two cores at 3800. For comparison, one of my old roommates had a better video card than me (7800gt to 7900gtx) but I had the dual core (x2 4200+ to Athlon 64 4200) and I could play games like stalker and oblivion alot better than he could (they are made to use dual cores)
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