Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 - Core 2 Duo Wolfdale Dual-Core 2.8 GHz LGA 775 65W Desktop Processor - BX80571E7400

Pros: Took some work to get it stable for gaming but currently running at 4.1GHz (1.36v 24/7) with an Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro and idling at 33*C. Max under non-synthetic usage is appx 56*C. Huge performance increase from Pentium D 820 ( OCd to 3.8Ghz 24/7 ). As the CPU had previously been a bottleneck Far Cry 2 went from 25-30 FPS with random hangups to 45-50 with no lag ever.

Cons: ended up using a 10x multiplier with a slightly higher bus speed so in theory could have gotten the e7300 assuming i got the newer stepping guaranteed in the e7400.

Overall Review: 4.25GHz
http://valid.canardpc.com/show_oc.php?id=480253

Motherboard: Biostar P43
Processor:Core 2 Duo E7400 @ 2.8Ghz : OC'd to 4.1GHz (24/7)
Heatsink: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro
Memory: 2Gb G Skill 1066 RAM @ 820MHz with 4-4-4-10 timings
Hard Drive: Seagate 160 GB
Video Card: Saphire "Toxic" 4850 OC'd to 710MHz core / 2.45GHz mem (BIOS Voltmod)
PSU: HEC Raptor 500w
Monitor: 21.5" Asus 16:9 Widescreen 2ms (1920 x 1080)
Sound Card: Realtek HD Audio output
Speakers/Headphones: Logitech X-230 2.1 Speaker System
Keyboard: Dynex
Mouse: Ideazon Reaper
Operating System: Windows XP SP3 (Performance Edition)

Pros: Great compromise between speed and power efficiency, for systems that don't really need the fastest quad-core or whatever.

Cons: Does not support Intel Virtualization Technology.
This CPU is OrderCode = BX80571E7400; SPEC = SLB9Y. Retail packaging. But no VT support.
This CPU cannot run the XP-Mode in Windows 7, which relies on Intel Virtualization Technology support in the CPU.

Overall Review: If you see Win7 in your future, and might want to run an old game or other program that needs the XP-compatibility-mode or any other use of Windows Virtual PC, then buy a different CPU.
Another variant of the E7400 does support VT. OrderCode = AT80571PH0723ML; SPEC = SLGW3, but it's sold in OEM trays, rather than in retail boxes, so you can't buy it here.
To get VT in a retail CPU, you must go with E7600 (only $30 more) or an E8000-series Wolfdale.
I wish I'd thought to check this *before* ordering this E7400.