Intel Core 2 Quad Q9450, 2.66Ghz Q950 (BX80569Q9450) Boxed Processor

The q9450 is a great value for money compared to most Core 2 Duo and AMD chips. The 12MB Cache memory helps greatly when gaming or doing 3D moddelling and Rendering. It runs only 95W so its more power efficient. The FSB of 1333MHz is very impressive compared to the 1066MHz of the old Q6600 cpu's.

The q9450 has great overclocking potential as well thanks to its lower amounts of heat. It can be possible to overclock the cpu to 3.6GHz a large jump from its stock speed of 2.66GHz. I would recommend water cooling when overclocking this cpu as air cooling will not be sufficient to keep this cpu from burning itself out trying to get up to 3.6GHz.
The cpu is fantastic for video encoding and using multiple programs at once.

All round the new Yorkfield cpu has proven itself to be superior its predecessor the kentsfield q6600. I would recomend this cpu to anyone who is a high standard gamer or 3D enthusiast.