K, here's the scoop... I've done a lot of upgrading lately, and spent a fair bit of money... I killed my original Maximus Formula board due to metal contact (don't ask) so I bought another and assumed Asus wouldn't replace the dead one... well the dead one was replaced and just arrived. This leaves me with an extra motherboard, and a 8800GTw/hr06 just lying around. I've decided that I'll do a quick upgrade to the wifes computer, it's an old P4-2.8 agp system.

Here's the dilemma... I need to do it cheap so she's not choked at me spending more money again (she's pretty cool about it, but even I'm starting to feel slightly guilty). I only need to pick up a CPU and RAM to do a complete upgrade for her (has decent PSU, case etc).

I'm thinking E4600 for the CPU instead of my "geek desire" to get her an e8400. This will save me about $100.

The system is used for pretty heavy gaming... is it going to make a HUGE difference if I go with the e4600? I know I can get at least 3ghz out of the CPU on the Maximus, if not a lot more.


Maybe feedback from people who have the e4600 would be helpful.