Which cpu would be better for me, Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz 4M shared L2 Cache OR Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz 2 x 4MB L2 Cache? I do more gaming and tv recording and burning. My build would be GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard / CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory / BFG Tech BFGE86512GTOC2FE GeForce 8600GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card. I'm wondering if the dual core would be faster than the quad because of the faster fsb and higher operating frequency but also want to be ready for new games that come out if they would take advantage of quad core. Thanks for any input. PS the cpu's are the same price.

For the moment, my opinion would be on the faster dual core. The reason I say that is most applications dont even support dual cores yet, ie most are not multi threaded apps. Even todays games for the most part are not multi threaded apps. The OS takes advantage of dual CPU's(XP pro, 2003 server, etc.), plus some commercial apps like photoshop, maya, etc, but for gaming, not just yet. Also I believe by the time apps are mass produced for dual and quad CPU's, your rig that you are building will have been long out of date. My 2 cents. Core2 Duo 1.86 2GB DDR2 667 Nvidia 6800GS Asus P5L-MX

I have to vote for the Quad Core because it is more future proof, and it can multitask at an insane level. The Dual-Core may be faster for some programs, but when their both at the same price.. I would definitely go for the Quad Core. The Quad Core is also 2.6ghz, the difference is only 0.4ghz, you could simply overclock the Quadcore to match the Duo Core's 3.0ghz. MSI P35 Platinum Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 2.66ghz HiS Radeon 2900 Pro 512mb @ XT Crucial 2GB Dual-Channel 3dmark06 - 12165

I'm of a different opinion. The E6750 is $80 cheaper & it will easily overclock to 3.0GHz+. And the E6750 at 3.0GHz will outperform the E6850 at 3.0GHz because it would have a faster FSB. There is very little need for a quad core right now. By the time a quad is actually "needed", they'll be much cheaper. Get the E6750, overclock it to the E6850 level (or higher) & invest the $80 savings elsewhere.

dual core for now better to wait for quad core in the future, because they will be cheaper and much faster then the first generation quad cores, unless there is a reason where you just have to have it now. Unless you are into 3d animation design or running a gaming server from your home then you don't have to have a quad core right now for anything less then those reasons.

Thanks for your input guys. I'll go with the E6750 and take the savings.