CPUs > From 2.5 GHz to 3.0 GHz CPUs > 2.0 MB and more > Dual-Core > 200 GBP to 299 GBP

Advantages: Blistering Speed
Disadvantages: None

...is the 2nd generation (already) Intel processor based on it's 'core' microarchitecture. The previous being called Netburst, and is still around in Pentium 4's and Pentium D 9 series processors. The beauty of the Core 2 Duo chips are the incredible power they are capable of, which producing half the heat of the Pentium 4's. On benchmarking, this processor alone increased the speed of my computer by 53%. This is a huge amount considering i payed less ...
...The processor has a very fast Front Side Bus (FSB) speed of 1066 Mhz and will work with the fastest Ram you can throw at it. It also stays very cool, even under excrutiatingly hardcore tasks, like encoding 3 DVD's simultaneously while editing my photos in the number crunching monster that is Adobe Photoshop CS2. The brilliance behind it is due to several important things. There is a 4Mb cache (which is a lot more than AMD give you) which is shared ... Read review

Advantages: ideal for intense computing environments
Disadvantages: none

...unbelieveable performance and The Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series is ideal for intense computing environments, 32-bit and 64-bit business-critical applications and high-end workstation and Analysis in my mind Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 5100 series-based platforms are expected to deliver up to 2.25 times the performance and 2.35 times the performance/watt of previous-generation dual-core Intel Xeon processors and realiable performance ... Read review

Advantages: Intelligent Power Capability
Disadvantages: none

These new processors deliver amazing performance and power efficiency.With four execution cores, the Intel® Core™2 Quad processor blows through processor-intensive tasks in demanding multitasking environments and makes the most of highly threaded applications. Graphics Video works Just SUPER.Keep it cool, and you should be able to do some over clocking. I turned my ASUS auto overclocking off since I really dont need to over clock (& void the ... Read review

Advantages: Cheap, Powerfull
Disadvantages: Small L2 cache

This is brilliant processor for its small price. In fact i like it so much, im writing this review using it right now. It is really easily over clocked using the right mother board. Personally, i have overclocked to 2.5Ghz using a cheap Gigabyte motherboard and an arctic cooling freezer 7 pro heat-sink fan unit. I have found that it is brilliant for multi-tasking. Even the programs that heavily use CPU power are done with ease on this powerful little ...
...obviously depending on case cooling and heat-sink fan, its not too bad. In my computer i have 3 additional 80cm fans for cooling as well as the heat-sink fan and im peaking at 45 degrees Celsius. The only disadvantage i can see with the CPU would be the L2 cache size. At only 1GB its not as fast as the Core 2 Duo CPU's but at this price its worth it. ... Read review

Advantages: Blistering speeds
Disadvantages: Ideally needs Vista 64 bit but few software compatibility probems

Intel have really got it right with this CPU. It was easy to install and runs like a dream. To take real advantage of the power of this CPU it really needs the Vista 64bit version and there are few software compatibility problems now so it is worth taking the plunge. I've never seen software install so quickly on a PC as with this processor and running Windows updates, background tasks, processor hungry games etc. just doesn't have an impact on the ... Read review