Intel Pentium D 915 - Pentium D Presler Dual-Core 2.8 GHz LGA 775 Processor - BX80553915

Pros: This CPU is exactly what the Pentium D was supposed to be. Unlike the 805, it isn't crippled, and the cache size is just mind boggling (especially to a person coming from a 3500+ w/512 KB).The benefits of this processor are apparent in what I do (over the 3500+) sure I game, but I also like to be running other things in the background.
One thing I like about running this in Windows XP is the ability to set affinity-For those of you who don't know how to do this I will explain. Setting the affinity allows me to have all my background tasks running (antivirus programs etc.) while playing single threaded games at full speed. For those of you who do not know how to do this, I will say that the CPU load balances on its own, and setting affinity can can screw up programs.Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to summon task manager,click the processes tab, right click on the process you wish to set, click set affinity.There will be a big box w/ core 1 & 2 checked, uncheck the box you wish to free of the task

Cons: Price cuts of the conroe, and a pentium D based on the core architecture are coming soon. If you want more performance (By quite a big margin) wait for the price cuts (April 27th 2007) if you are like me, and have no patience, get this CPU. THe reason I recommend this over the AM2 CPUs is the upgradeability, most motherboards that support this CPU support Conroes. Be forewarned, Intel does plan to drop LGA775 for their next architecture, K8L can be run on AM2 (note, you need DDR2 to run AM2, and the mobos that support AGP on AM2 are mini ATX). I couldn't afford both DDR2 and a new pci-express gfx card, so I went presler.

Overall Review: Again, weigh your options, I was perfectly happy with this CPU only because I knew that this was the smartest choice at the time. Do your homework, look up the CPU charts on toms hardware. Especially look at what mobo options you have. If you didn't prepare for DDR2 or PCI-Express (like Me) look for a Mobo which has what you need (in my case the ASrock quad VSTA). Newegg's search featurehelps a lot.

Pros: It seems like a fast processor. It's affordable.

Cons: The heatsink and fan was a tough install. Longest time I ever took to install a heatsink and fan.

It runs hot ..idles at 50 Celsius and I tried to install some programs but the temperature shot up all the way to 70C and shut down.

Overall Review: I never had this kind of trouble with temperature before with building systems. Now I understand why people worry about temperatures.

I might have to run out to the electronics store to find another heat sink. Not happy with this heatsink...can't say much about the processor until i fix the heat issue.

yes..i did seat the heatsink and fan firmly. I reinstalled it many times; and even took out the motherboard to install in firmly.