i think u should ask here
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=SF&s=&f=116

mobo don't take value MSI right now..
casing CM Centurion 5..
what's about PSU?
how's the budget?
if want to reduce the price better take X2 3600+ and spare more on gpu for gaming ofcourse..

if u intend to OC.. spare another 200-300 for PSU alone..
good casing normally didn't come with PSU..
if u targeting around RM100 casing.. u will just obtain normal PSU..

What's the different in running AM2 x2 3800?
pay more for the bigger L2 cache.. which no need so often..
performance still on par on certain apps.. with 3600+..
pay less, energy efficient, less heat, cheap, OCable..

ofcourse it's has pros and cons..

but the RM100 different is big for me.. coz u mentioned 'budget'
AFAIK the imaging need faster/big ram...

if u into video rendering or image editting.. u look here to compare both cpu..
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/displ...-x2-3600_9.html
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/displ...-x2-3600_8.html

if cache is everything.. why amd still use low cache since the beginning compare to intel?
coz amd found not all appz can utilise it and can reduce the cost.. and targetting budget ppl that need the speed..

actually it's just nice ~2ghz pair with 256 L2 cache..

just like 1ghz cpu with 4gb ram... for ideal 1ghz setup.. 2gb ram is just nice..
4gb ram maybe ideal for 3ghz cpu...

same goes to 3800+... if we can highly oc it.. the big L2 cache will give an advantage.. that's why ppl see 3800+ will be great in OC...

i've tried both and merely achieve 2.4-2.5ghz... and feel just the same...
unless can try hit 2.8 or more with 3800+... sure win... but it's hard to get though.. need to spend for good mobo,ram,psu,cooler as well... then no budget de.. spending those... better get 4400+ 1mb then...

what are the things u bought?