Which processor should I purchase?

I really have no idea what I should get as I am not experienced with processors.

Quad Core $189 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131

or

Dual Core $189 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

It is gonna be in use with this motherboard - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130230

As I realize this, I want to use it simply for gaming, processing video, any other editing using CS4, and listening to music while doing all this. Specifically for games are the Dolphin Emulator for Gamecube and possibly Wii games. For specific full fledge games, it will be Call of Duty 4, The Sims 3, Burnout Paradise, GTA 4, Starcraft 2 and The Command and Conquer Series (my flavor of games is a wide range), along with furture release of these games. I will also be upgrading and using Windows 7 to play all of these games, though I will keep my XP serial and MAY dual boot for better gaming performance. Basically because XP uses much less resource consumption.

Thanks for your base idea now can you re-assess that with this further info?

Well, right now the E8500 should be the winner in games as it has a higher clock speed and double the cache per core compared to the Q9400. However, for programs relying on more number of cores and content creation, the Q9400 will have the edge.

IMO, this should be a better deal. And you'll be able to OC it to much higher clock speeds.

Something that may or may not be important to you with Win 7 just weeks away.....

If you will be running Win 7 and you have any devices and/or apps you want or will need to run in XP compatibility mode, i just recently discovered your CPU must support virtualization (VT). See this post. Also includes links to Intels site to check VT support per Intel CPU model

my vote is the q9400 just clock it up to around 3.2Ghz and call it a day

Hi mailpup

I haven't tried running Win 7 at all yet. Could you clarify the distinction? As anything i try googling about Win 7 / XP compatibility mode seems to be about VT (and i'm guessing you mean something like a "compatibility" check box in a programs Properties? like we saw in Vista?)

I already have a great graphics card, its an old PCI but I just got it, 1GB DDR2, GeForce 9400 GT, here's the Newegg link. (It's what the first thread I posted is asking for help on, lol)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130498

Now also, I have NEVER overclocked before, and I want my CPU to last, I am 16 and I'm doing all this on an extremely low budget. So I don't know if OCing is for me, i have heard it ages your CPU.

Also on a side note, I AM NOT gonna be using Windows 7 Virtual mode thing. I already have XP and 7 setup on my PC, except the version of 7 that I have is only the release candidate, I just partitioned my hard drive into thirds and put XP on one, 7 on another, and the third is for anything really.

Now, I am leaning towards the Quad core as I LOVE to multi-task when using Photoshop, Flash, any adobe product. (Music / Internet / IMing) I also like to listen to my own music during full-screen games. So thats a plus. I found out that Dolphin does not support 4 Cores so with that it does not make a difference anymore.

IF I DO go with the Dual core, AND I do want to OC slightly, why

would this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

be a better option than this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

Thank you everyone for the replies, you guys are all great, now with the more info can you try to come to a more pin-point decision, I know it's down to my choice, but I am still stuck between, leaning slightly towards the quad. I have had a few people in real life tell me to go with the quad, including my A+ Certification teacher.

Sorry for the wall of text guys, Thanks Again

Now I looked at one last thing, and the recommended requirements for Call of Duty 4 (The only game that even CAME CLOSE to a problem) is a 2.4 GHz or better dual core. So a 2.66 Quad core using only 2 cores is still over the requirements.

I am now almost decided upon the quad core, I still want to hear your opinions based on the post above.

Thanks again for all your help. : D

lol even overclocked the cpu will last 5 or more years i mean how long are you actually going to use that cpu lol

Oh, well then what the hell, I guess I am gonna start overclocking.

I think overclocking requires a pretty good psu, but yeah that quad-core with OC is better. Based on their specs however they seem to be the same, except for the Stock speed and cores of course.

Not much more than what would power the PC anyway, but its good to have a high quality powersupply.

CS4 will thank you for the quad core, meanwhile games may perform marginally better with the dual cores.

Both dual cores are identical except for a minor difference in the multiplier, but its already high enough so that, with overclocking, it won't make a difference.

If you are going to be getting a new motherboard, windows may not want to work with the new one and will ask you to purchase a new version. Also, you may consider something newer. I personally love the AMD Phenom II X3 720, triple-core is a great compromise .

I actually am not gonna be getting a new motherboard. Here's a link to my PSU, I got it when I upgraded my Graphics, Ram, and Mobo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

That's a decent PSU. If you love multitasking as you say then take the Q9400. However, as HK points out, games may perform slightly better on the E8500 for the reasons I already mentioned before.

OCing should not be an issue as long as you have temperatures under control. Ensure you have good airflow in your case and a good aftermarket HSF.

There was a processor, the Q9450, which would have been a good option. However, I can't seem to find a pricing for the product as it's been discontinued by the looks of it.

This is a great power supply.
I guess the choice is yours now, quad or dual.
Since you seem to do multimedia, I would lean toward quad, it won't hurt much in games and such.

Ok, it's decided, I will be getting the quad. Now one more thing needs to be answered. I have been running my computer with no case on shelves. With the new CPU would this be an ok thing to do with the stock heat sink and fan without overclocking, then once I get my new case and HS + F in a little while I will be able to overclock?

a quad wont hurt at all in games...just wont offer an advantage, at least until the the new gen of games come out soon