<>If the temp on a stock CPU is X and you then overclock by 20% but add an efficient CPU cooler and the end result is the CPU temp remains at X or even lower where is the life shortening risk?I agree that overclocking without efficient cooling could lead to a shortened life but these coolers do a great job of protecting the CPU from its biggest enemy - heat!This is a well respected cooler http://www.zalman.co.kr/ENG/product/Product_Read.asp?Idx=164

Hey Mo- thanks for jumping in- my favorite BA WORLD TAILS Painter!!!I understant waht you are saying, but I use a Tuniq 120- long regarded as one of the world's best CPU coolers- I check my temps and TJs and run Prime95 for 24hrs before I will accept as stable- so, I don't mind getting a bit more bang for the buck when I know that I am NOT overheating!I am looking forwad o taking the e8500 all the way to 4ghz on air- which I understand is a very doable thing- I am hoping for a noticable difference in performance at that level- from the stock 3.0ghz of my e6850 and even the e6850 overclocked to 3.6ghz. I really think there is a bit of difference in the efficiency of the instruction processing- and I'm hoping that will show- maybe I'm full of it- my wife seems to usually think so anyhow ;).BTW- are you planning World Tails for FSX???? PLEEEEEEEEEEEZ :)Ray- you don't have a spare MCP do you? ;)Best-Carl F. Avari-Cooper BAW0225http://online.vatsimindicators.net/980091/523.png

<Sorry, no. They're very rare and I just pray nothing happens to it because the chances of repair are just about zero.

Get a 45nm quad, should be just around the corner. Or go ahead and splurge away on the QX9650 or similar if you have the cash... Lower heat output (and unlocked multiplier with the extreme CPU) brings more OC headroom. P35 have always brought high FSB clocks. X38/48 good for high CPU clocks overall, but the strength of P35 has been high FSB. I personally dont see any particular performance benefit of X38/48 over P35, although you might want to check that your mobo of choice is 45nm compatible. It seems the 45 nm duo cores have been few in supply for some time now. I am still waiting for the 8400 that I ordered 2 months ago :(