I heared somewhere that C'n'Q/SpeedStep transitions with their frequent voltage and frequency changes put added stress on the CPU. True? Does it affect EM or mechanical aging in some way?
Agree; I am forced to a high performance/$ because with these prices I can start thinking of a new build after a year. Don't call NZ a low tech country man because I live in A L B A N I A. Here the prices are 2x-3x higher than US and what you approximate to $75 is no lower than $150 here. Maybe I wait for some relative from US coming here for the new year (that's how I got my current build) but that would be too late anyway and I'll rather get a X2 3800+ for $150 at that time.Even a low-tech country like NZ we have TradeMe.co.nz, nothing similar at where you live?
Or even if you don't sell that VIA board and just spend ~US$75, I think that price for what you'll be able to get out of that 3000+ is justified.
Oh and in case no-one has told you yet, I push for extreme levels of performance/$ and nicknamed as "Forum Cheap Arse" in the past.
(Hence overclocking and brand loyalty bashing are my special powers)