CPUs > From 2.0 GHz to 2.5 GHz CPUs > 100 GBP to 199 GBP

Advantages: 4 cores. New G0 stepping Q6600 runs cooler and is easy to overclock
Disadvantages: Software doesn't take advantage of all 4 cores.

I bought this a while ago for £160 even at that price it is a bargain and now you can get it £140 a no brainer in my opinion. An extremely powerful processor 2.4Ghz per core adding up to a total of 9.6Ghz. The best thing about this processor for me though is its potential for overclocking, if you get the new G0 stepping which is a must this processor can easily be overclocked to 3.3Ghz just by using a good cooler such as a Scythe Infinity and would ...
...default cooler. This processor will do it all if you want to encode a video no problem I have encoded a full 90minute film in less than 30minutes and while I was doing that I was also playing a top end game without any lag. Coupled with 2Gb of fast DDR2 memory and a good graphics card such as a 8800GTX your new rig will easily be able run new games and future games for many a year. The easy installation of the LGA775 socket makes it a breeze to ... Read review

Advantages: Very fast, cheap
Disadvantages: need to have IT expereince

This intel dual core processor with 2.33Ghz speed (total speed of 4.6Ghz) with a 4MB Cache can handle an awful lot of demanding programs runnning at once, obviously it has its limits, but for the price its a very good processor. This processor is also compatable with 64 bit computing. It has an LGA775 Socket which is compatable with most of the new motherboards if you are looking to upgrade or build your own pc. If you are looking to buy a processor ... Read review

Advantages: quad-core design handles data efficiently; cheaper than competing Intel quad-core chips.
Disadvantages: Expensive

...for its subpar performance. Unless AMD drops prices more aggressively, it looks like Intel will maintain its grasp on the CPU market for the foreseeable future. For raw performance, AMD's Athlon 64 X2 chips have lingered behind their Intel Core 2 Duo counterparts all year. Only aggressive pricing from AMD kept its old dual-core CPUs in systems and on store shelves. According to our testing, AMD will have to work similar magic with its new quad-core ...
...you can find a prebuilt PC that uses a Phenom 9500 for significantly less than a similar desktop with an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600, go for it. But unless you can find it for an exceptional price, we advise against the Phenom right now, because its performance simply isn't there. ... Read review

Advantages: Fast, energy efficiant, cheap
Disadvantages: intel have announced 6 core cpus on the way

Excellent Processor, the usual simple to install and the stock fan does its job well. Very overclockable and can easily reach speeds of 3.0ghz without having to change the cooler. In my oppinion certainly worth picking up as great value for money also with the release and rapid take up of quad core cpus the price of these dual core processors is only going to carry on going lower, meaning if you dont have a need for 4 cores pumping out your office ...
...graphics work that need the extra cores, grab one of these. They will amaze you at the performance you will receive especially if upgrading from something a lot lower, i personally upgraded from a lowly AMD Athlon 2600 and was happier than a sandboy in a jam packed pub. ... Read review

Advantages: power
Disadvantages: price

...cannot compair it to other intel core 2 duos because i havent tested them but i love this one i can compair it to the intel pentium 4 HT and performance doent even come close to this one i havent tried converting but i think it should be a good candidate as it has 4mb l2 cache tried it with halo 2 and performance was unbelievable for me anyway i though vista being power hungry as it is would have made it lag but it didnt at all ... Read review