JK wrote:

The XP2500+ is okay for some tasks,but it doesn't have SSE2
and an on chip memory controller that the Athlon 64 has. Take a
look at this review.
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets...spx?i=2065&p=1

The Athlon 64 3200+ is only around $210 now for the retail box with
heatsink.

I don't think this review has much to say about the Athlon 64 3200+
or the socket 754 processors. In fact it says:

"As a result, almost since its launch, enthusiasts have been waiting
for Socket 939 to bring dual channel memory to the Athlon 64 line..."

A P4/800 system e.g. Northwood can already use dual channel memory.