Dual core recommendations

[Tithis]

Since I finally have a job I've decided to do a major upgrade. I'm looking to go dual core now and then replace my Nvidia 7600 with a 8600 when they come out.

I'd like to keep my system balanced out, something I don't think I'm very good at. So what type of parts do you think I should buy to go dual core. The only requirement is that the motherboard is mATX. I should have 200$ save up by the end of this month
(for balancing purposes the 8600Ultra has 64 shaders, 500mhz core, 1400mhz mem)

[Cricket]

Is your budget for the upgrade only $200? That will only cover the cost of the processor.

Cricket

[Tithis]

I never said 200 was my budget, I said I will have saved up that much by the end of the month.

I don't know what you talking about with the processor though, X2's are pretty cheap right now.

2.2Ghz X2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103741
$108
a 2.4Ghz X2 can be had for $126
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103749

I could pair the 2.4 X2 with this Gigabyte motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128029

That would only cost 202.11 only a few bucks over the 200 I'll have by the end of the month. After that all I would really need is some Ram.

[glc]

Wait till the end of April and go Intel - that's when there will be a big Core 2 Duo price reduction. Look at the Asus P5L-MX and P5B-VM boards.

[Tithis]

Do you know how big a price drop Intel is planning to do? Will it bring the $/performance ratio equal with AMDs. Also how much better or worse is the Conroes watt/performance ratio, its actually a very important factor for me.

[glc]

The $/performance ratio already favors Intel Core 2 Duo but not cheaper processors. I've posted a link to the price reduction charts in at least a dozen other threads here.