Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 or Quad Q6600?

For audio, Quad, no contest.
For games (today's games) either or.
For games (tomorrow's games) Quad.

Yes there is a $110 difference but there is also a HUGE difference in overall performance with the right software.

Some might flame you for even comparing these two (even with the price difference), so I warn you.

Anywho, it is worth it all the way my friend.

Unless you save your cash and go with a new Penryn in January. Now THAT is worth it!

I agree. I decided on quad. I also picked a mobo to use to upgrade to Penryn later on since the equivalent quad Penryn will be aroud the same price with more cache, less heat and better performance.

So get yourself a P35+ board that way you can get a Q9450/9650.