Intel Core 2 Quad Q9300 - Core 2 Quad Yorkfield Quad-Core 2.5 GHz LGA 775 95W Processor - BX80580Q9300

Pros: **Lowest cost option for .45nm quad core computing. Next model up, QX9450 2.66/12MB, is significantly more expensive. **Only 95w for a quad core, awesome! **Low multiplier, see "other thoughts"

Cons: None. How could there be? You're getting what you pay for/expect, if not more!

Overall Review: I feel that this is THE cpu to get for a new system build right now. When combined with x38/x48 chipset and DDR2800 this CPU will run a 1600FSB/400Mhz host clock at 3.0GHz (overclock) with ease.

Pros: Nice and quick; very good value for the money. The four cores really shine in multithreaded applications. The processor supports Intel Enhanced SpeedStep -- if enabled, the CPU will run at a lower clock rate (2.00GHz, in this case) and voltage when idle, reducing heat and power consumption.

Cons: None. The low multiplier (7.5x) will probably cause some grief for overclockers, but I run my Q9300 at stock speeds so it doesn't bother me.

Overall Review: If you primarily use your system for gaming, you may want to consider getting a dual-core processor instead; it would use less power and you'd get higher clock rates for about the same price. If you do video processing, graphical work, rendering, heavy compilation, or generally just do a lot of multitasking, get a quad-core CPU. You won't regret it.

Pros: 1333 FSB is what really puts this one on top. Plugged it in and it blazed through the Vista installation. People are complaining about the low multiplier but I'll take a faster FSB over a low multiplier any day. I run 3ds max, photoshop, zbrush and this thing renders everything lightning fast. The $$$ price tag is worth every penny.

Cons: None yet.

Overall Review: Great for gaming as well.

Pros: I wanted the quad because I go geek over computer hardware. I wanted it even tho I was told and told that there are few S/W product that will take advantage of all four processors. So I expected to see two or three cores flat-lining while I worked or played. But Task Manager is painting a different picture. I just played a bit of BioShock and see that my CPU was firing all four cylinders - and with a reasonable load distribution. There seems to be a some usage of all cores most of the time. Nice surprise.

Cons: No way to run cool and quiet in a SFF PC.

Pros: Fast multi core design

Cons: Not as overclockable as other CPUs but then I really do not plan to do anything extreme.

Overall Review: I was looking at the E8400 for the longest time with a desire to OC to 3.4GHz or something. Then I started reading several forums and while there are few softwares and even fewer games in the market that uses the potential of Quad cores, the combination of options such as multitasking and possible future software taking advantage of it, made quad core more appealing. While I read that q9300 have several limitations compared to q6600 I was really interesting in q9300 advantages and I'm not currently planning to OC the processor more then to perhaps 3.0GHz at the most. It's nice that my new computer starts up in something like 30 seconds and that I can enjoy playing games, downloading and doing other things on my dual monitors without breaking a sweat. The only time I've seen the processor using more then 70% processing power was when I was trying out the old Game Homeworld Cataclysm. q9300, Zalman 9700, 9600GT, 2x2 A-Data DDR2 800, 250+500 SATA HDD

Pros: speedy workhorse, just what i expected, built a very stable system with this

Cons: The installation of this thing turned into an epic battle. The little snap-in on the fan just wouldn't snap in. I was bending the mb, placing both thumbs on one snap and squeezing with all my might. Eventually I had to get a small comb and brace it against the snap, pinching down on the edge of the fan casing with one hand and the comb on the snap... it took me hours and I was nearly in tears.

Overall Review: I've installed intel processor plenty of times, never had trouble. How this could have not brought the intel QA department to rioting is beyond me. I read the reviews, I figured folks describing this problem didn't know what they were doing, silly me.

Pros: low heat, easy overclock, resonable price

Cons: none so far

Overall Review: overclocked to 3gig without a single problem could probably push to 3.5 but stability issues would probably crop up. didnt have to push the voltage up very high and there was minimal increase in the heat

Pros: Very good bang for the buck processor. Great at multi tasking and games at stock clock speeds. Its a little bit faster than the Q6600 at the same clocks. Runs cool at stock speeds. Its 45 Nm and low voltage. Very Very good Processor for the Price and will probably beat all the AMD chips.

Cons: Not for high overclocks. Does Not overclock well . (Unless I got a bum chip) It just does not seem to overclock well compared to the Q6600. Rite now I have mine at 3.2Ghz at 1.320v shown in CPU-Z and 1.356v In Bios at 60c Load, which is not to bad at all but it requires some voltage to get this to Overclock past 2.8Ghz.

Overall Review: This is a great CPU if you plan on running it at stock clocks or a slight overclock. My current system: Q9300 @ 3.2Ghz EVGA 750i F.T.W Mother board 2x 9800GTX+ in SLI Antec Quattro 850w OCZ Dual channel 1066 ram