I am building a computer in the next say 3-4 weeks and I am wondering what would be the better option for me to go with.  I am a computer graphics major and I also game alot. What should I go with, the Q9450 and stick with it for a few years or go with the q6600 or the e8400 and wait for the new nehalem chip later this year?

Since you want it to last a few years, either q6600 or q9450, depending on your budget. Dual core, no matter how high clocked, will go the way of single cores within the next 2 years.

Don't count on Nehalem. It'll arrive at the end of the year, earliest, if Intel don't delay further. You wanted it in the next 3-4 weeks. There were also rumors of Intel disabling overclocking, since with so much of chipset functions onboard, they can do it.

Get the q6600 or wait for nahalem
 
 
and make sure you run it 3.6ghz for intel chipset or 3.0-3.5ghz with crappy nvidia mobos!

---------------

If Intel disables OC, I will take my business to AMD. That would be such BS, but there are ES Nahalem that are OC'ed so don't bet on Intel disabling OC. Even though I don't OC, I would like the option too. If I were to pick either of those, I'd pick E8400 at stock since I don't OC due to costs of good HSF.

Rumors that Intel disabling OC are ridiculous and that would just put AMD in a marketing advantage if everything else is equal.

This is just my speculation but Nehalem could be very over priced when they come out since Intel has no competition what so ever.  It is going to be the 8800GTX of CPUs.  If you get one on launch day or even a few months afterwards, you will probably be paying a huge mark up.  
 
Second...the 45nm had major supply issues for a long time which in turn jacked up the pricing and make them almost impossible to get.  It happens.  Nehalem may or may not open up that way but you could be waiting and waiting and waiting if it does happen....long into 09.  
 
What sucks is that you will have to get a new MOBO (Edit: sorry have to clarify: you have to buy a new mobo when for the Nehalem CPU) If you do get a new rig now and plan on jumping in on Nehalem, go with a cheaper mobo at least so you can save some money in the long run...that is...if you have any sort of budget.  If you already have a 775 socket mobo and want the quad do the Q6600 then.

 
 
Dang PC, this got to you didn't it?  Too bad AMD can't OC for crap at the moment  

its been speculated that intel will allow overclocking. The Q9450 should be good, or wait till Q3 when prices drop further.

I currently run all these chips in different systems simultaneously, Q9450, Q6600, E8400.  I have moved the chips around installed in different chipsets including X38, G35, P965, 965G.  My preference is the Q9450, it's faster, cooler and uses less power.  The E8400 performance is smilar, but slightly slower than the Q9450 when used at the tasks I use it most for Photoshop, copy/burrn DVd (E8400 is slightly slower), general office/home multitasking.  The Q6600 is excellent also and would be an excellent choice.  My son gmes with the Q6600/P965/2 GB with XP/7900GTO 512.  That system is very fast when used for gaming.  Q9450 is the fastest, coolest running, best overall perfromer of the three for me.  Q9450, VISTA 64, 8gigs RAM, and a 3870 combine to make a super fast state of the art machine. HTH.

well if i am going to have to buy a new mobo for the nehalem cpu then I may as well not wait for it as i was planning on getting an x48 thank you guys for the help.

This price looks better than Newegg if you decide to go this route.
 
http://microcenter.com/single_prod [...] id=0287628

Thanks for that link, you just saved me 80 bucks.