So, I'm building a new computer that will be for gaming and standard computing and I'm not sure as to what processor I should buy. The thing is, I want to future-proof (lol) it as much as possible, and with the new 45nm quad core coming out on Saturday, I've never been so conflicted.

Basically, I am asking you tech gurus which processor I should buy out of the three that I have my eyes on.

They are:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

and the new 45 nm Yorkfield Q9450, the specs of which I expect you gurus already know.

So, what should I buy?

P.S. I'm planning on overclocking.

 

Personally, since I hear some nice things about it, I'd go with the E8400.

 

Quoted for truth. I was considering that myself before realising my lack of funds

 

From what I've heard, the e8400 can usually be overclocked to an average of 3.8-4.0 ghz, while the Q6600 can be overclocked to an average of around 3.5 or 3.6 ghz.

While the quad has more cores, the fact is that there aren't too many programs that can utliise them to their maximum function. The most demanding programs that I can think of would be DVD editting, and a quad core would do that a lot better than a core 2 duo. Keep in mind that a lot of the more recent games and programs were designed specifically for dual core processors. The e8400 will run them better than the quad-cores will, but that'll change in a few years when quad cores become more popular.

Personally, I'd go with the e8400. Like Vash, I've heard good things about it and it's a bloody decent chip. Later on, if you desperately need a quad core, the Q6600 will cost significantly less than it is today, and you'll have the motherboard and that to support it.

As for the Yorkfield Q9450, I don't have a list of specs on it but I can tell you not to get it if it's just come out, mainly because it'll cost you heaps than if you were to wait six months or so.

 

The Q6600 hasn't done me wrong so far. I'm actually saving for a Zalman cooler so I can overclock it. If you're trying to build a gaming rig I hear DX10 games are starting to utilize more processing threads so quad would probably be the advantage. From what I realized a high processing speed can only save you so much time in the future, it's really about the cpu's architecture that matters. You can overclock a P4 to like 4-5 ghz still not as good as a e6600 oc'd to 3.5.

 

The E8400 is almost impossible to get ahold of? o_o

* Inquisition locks his doors at night.

 

Basically, the Q9450 is two E8400's stuck together. You have the OC'ing ability, brilliant results in two core optimised applications and then you double it so you have the kick ass improvement in multi threaded applications and games later on down the track and the great ability to multi task.



Basically, if you can afford it:

Q9450 > Q9300 > E8400 > E8500 > E8200 > Q6600 > E6850/E6750

 

MURTON HATH SPOKEN!

I'm going to get the Q9450. Thanks for your help everyone.