i see the e6600 on toms but not the AMD chip that i specified, would it
go under a different name?
You can use
www.amdcompare.com to get info on the AMD processors.
Opteron 165 S939 1.8GHz dual, 2MB total L2 cache
http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/opteron/details.aspx?opn=OSA165CDBOX
Athlon64 X2 3800+ S939 2.0GHz dual, 1MB total L2 cache
http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADA3800DAA5CD
Athlon64 X2 4200+ S939 2.2GHz dual, 1MB total L2 cache
http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADA4200DAA5CD
Athlon64 X2 4400+ S939 2.2GHz dual, 2MB total L2 cache
http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/details.aspx?opn=ADV4400DAA6CD
The difference between the second and third entry, shows
that 200MHz core speed, increases the P.R. from 3800+ to 4200+
The difference between the third and fourth entry, shows
that doubling the cache, increases the P.R from 4200+ to 4400+
Since the Opteron 165 is a 1.8GHz core clock, it loses 400+ of rating
for that. Since the Opteron 165 has double the cache, of the X2 3800+.
it gains 200+ rating points. Therefore, the Opteron 165 is slightly
slower than a 3800+, by that logic. You can use the Tomshardware
listing for 3800+ X2 S939 (DDR memory) and deduct a tiny bit of
performance, for the differences between 165 and 3800+ X2.
If I look here, the X2 3800+ at 2.0GHz, is still being beat by the
E6400.
http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu.html?modelx=33&model1=433&model2=480&chart=159
The reason people buy the Opteron, is at one time the Opteron had
lots of overclocking headroom. AMD bin the processors, for reliable
server operation, and so there was room to spare. You can check the
private forums, but I think this may have changed with time, so that
the 165 is no longer as big a deal that way. If you are buying the
processor for stock operation, then the value of the processor to
you would be quite different, than if overclocking it.
As far as pricing goes, it is all over the map for the X2 3800+ S939
and the Opteron 165 S939. Not every seller is discounting the things.
For example, my normal supplier in Canada, has kept prices on some
AMD products high, compared to what I could get from a US seller.
It is pretty difficult to say one or the other is a good deal, because
it may change with locality.
By extrapolation from the amdcompare info, the 3800+ is slightly ahead,
and you can do your comparisons on Tomshardware, with that one.
Best guess,
Paul