I'm having some problems picking out the right CPU for my upgrade. I'm set on an Intel chip. I'm probably not going to over clock right away, but might later. I really like the Q6600, but I'm also considering a couple of others, hence the poll. Also, to show that I'm really a noob, what is the difference between a desktop and server chip? I've seen some attractive prices on Xenon chips, and they're the right socket, but I don't know if there's actually any benefit or disadvantage to using them. I'm willing to spend up to $300 (or $400 if someone can make a convincing argument, so mention that as well if you think that would be a better choice).

*Edit* the last two choices didn't make it in:
Is the Q6700 worth the price increase over the Q6600?
Is the Q9300 better than than the Q6600?

I'm strongly leaning towards the Q6600, but just wanted to find out about the other chips as well.

I like my Q6600, but that's an opinion. Also, you said that it was an upgrade, and that you were a noob (not to insult you; you said it), so you might want to make sure that your motherboard has the right socket.

For Intel:
Desktop= LGA775
Server= LGA771

A server processor might fit into a desktop mobo, but it might not work. Basically server processors are desktop CPUs that are specially picked out for stability and quality.

I'd go desktop, because it is a lot cheaper for the mobo and memory. For a server, you have to have FB-DIMMs, which are more expensive.

You might want to take a look at the new 45nm CPUs (E8xxx's and Q9xxx's)

Errr, I pressed enter too early. Other choices were the Q9300 and the Q6700, so mention those as well.

Also, I'm a noob in that its my first computer build, but I do know more or less the basics. I've looked at the E8400 and E8500, but I've seen the Q6600 get better reviews so they didn't make the review. I've only seen the Q9300, but forgot to add it to the poll, so include that in your choice.

Really? I'll add that one to the poll as well.

None of the above.

The E8x00 chips are the best for gaming, unless you are talking heavily multithreaded games like Supreme Commander or Flight Simulator X, then the quads will be best.

EDIT - I see you've now added the E8400 as an option.

Q9450(X3350) is better then the Q6600 and Q6700 and cheaper then the Q6700. It has 12M cache and runs at 2.66.

It's better, but its not cheaper than the Q6700. News flash - Intel has cut prices on the 65nm quads, the Q6700 is now $266.

Damn, that's what I got my Q6600 for! Well, it wasn't like it wouldn't ever happen.

Fry's had the retail box Q6600 for $180 + $6 shipping making it a better value than any in the poll IMO. I'm all about a bargain, so e8400/Q6600, whichever is cheaper, gets my vote for gaming.

As for best chip mentioned so far I like the (edit: was a 9650 not 9450) Quads, even if it doesn't clock as high, still seems to beat the e8400 quite often:
http://www.legionhardware.com/docu [...] id=737&p=2

For simply gaming go with the E8400.

Dont go with Q6600- for gaming, E8400- and if you are set on quad core, upgrade with for new technology, not Q6600, but the 45nm's like the Q9300....

That is partly why I was looking at the E8400, for the 45nm, but why is it so much better than the Q6600? Is it just the clock speed? If we're just going for the clock speed, why not the Q9300, since it has the same clock speed and two cores?

Another thing...for you poll up there ^^...you can pretty much rule out the E6850 (E8400 pwns it) and the Q6700 b/c if you want 90nm quad chip, go with the Q6600, and just give it a slight overclock and it will pass up the Q6700--no sence in paying all that extra money on the Q6700- its not worth is for the amount of ghz you get

....E8400 is better for gaming...games nowadays dont utilize quad core yet. so the E8400 has higher clock speeds over the Q6600, and its more useful for gaming...and personally for you...your needs...unless you doing some insense video editing...you dont need the Q9300