Omgz I was waiting for the normal reply. If you have alot of money for a processor, go with an FX. Best AMD processors for gaming. Nothing beats an FX. Yea, dual core would definately be the next best option for a 300 to 500 dollar budget. Next I'd go with an Opetron, but those are pretty low on the GHz, and pretty expensive. They are nice processors, and if you would be willing to get some nice cooling stuff and overclock it, it may preform better than the Dual Core. You never know with the Opetrons. If I were you, I'd just go with an AMD 64 3500 or 3800 or something. You don't really need to get all fancy with the processors. Now adays I think it's alot more about the graphics card. If you're like me and you have a 3500 and an x800GTO, you can play all the newest games at the maximum. I mean, it might be just an average high end graphics card and end up like the 9800 by next year, but by then I will have upgraded my motherboard to an SLi and gotten some 7800's. It really depends on how much you're willing to spend, and what you really would feel comfortable with. I would save some money and just go with a 3500 or 3800.