Whats better an older 3.6 ghz cpu vs. a newer 2.8 ghz cpu

No it is not even close to newer technologys slower speeds.

ok so its better to get a slower but newer cpu

I play total war games and other strategies most often so what would you guys say is best cpu for my money because i don't got a lot

don't get any cpu that's less than the e5200^-^

also i just thought about this but isn't it pentium d duel core or does that not matter

Q8200 is a waste of money.
If you wanna save and you're just gaming, go for either the E5200 or step up to a Core 2 Duo, maybe the E7400 or so.

how much is over doing it with the cpu. would e8400 be over doing it

Question: Which Total War game in particular? Those games love CPU horsepower, and even in Rome:TW, my QX9650 can struggle in massive battles (5000+ units)(haven't gotten to ME2:TW or E:TW yet).

Sounds like a low end Quad or a E8600 to me. With prices so dirt cheap, unless hes on a strict budget, he may as well go all the way.

Probably better with a Quad then. Once you hit those 2000+ unit battles, the extra cores really start to show off. I'd look at the Q9550 or the Q9450.