what should i upgrade to... a regular 64-bit (venice,newcatle, etc.) or a dual core later?
will software utilization of 64 bit equal more frames per second in games? Say once a game utilizes it like doom3... a 3000+ 64-bit would now put out more frames per second on doom 3 etc? Will the value of a regular 64 bit processor increase when the software cathes up?
Yes, once software begins to better utalize 64-bit and dual core, they will be much better alternatives to single core and 32-bit CPUs. You should upgrade to as much as your buget allows, but you may not get much of a performance boost going from a 3200+ Athlon XP to a 3200+ Athlon 64. In your case, I would wait until the dual core chips come down unless you have another reason you want to build anew right now. Most likely, you'll benefit from a video card upgrade if you have tha CPU.
Only with gaming does it matter enough to make a change fron an AXP 3200+ to A64. But's even that's a bit tricky. The A64 starts to take a very drastic lead in FPS when a video card is at least a 6800GT/X800XT and above. FPS difference can be as much as 25 FPS, but is usually around 10-15 when same GPU is used when comparing a A643200+ to an AXP 3200+. Additionally FPS stays more constant with a A64.
Very True, Hoot.
Gaming, and I believe Video encoding are where the Athlon 64s will easily trample the AthlonXPs of similar rating. Very few games take advantage of dual core now, so I'm still waiting on that. However, if you want to game and do something else in the background, then dual core is a good idea.