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Here are some more information for Duo Models:

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500

You can argue the toss regarding the pros and cons of quad-core CPUs. We don't doubt their unmatched multi-tasking and multi-threaded clout. But when it comes to gaming, the benefits are less obvious. You can count the games that make proper use of a quad-core chip on the digits of one RSI-worn metacarpus. Dual-core still delivers the best bang for your buck if gaming is your main focus.

With that in mind, the new dual-core variants of Intel's 45nm Penryn CPU family look like a no-brainer. For the most part, that's how it turns out. The top E8500 model is clocked at an impressive 3.l6GHz, which translates into single and dual-threaded performance to match any processor on the planet. It's also impressively efficient compared to the outgoing 65nm generation of Core 2 Duo CPUs from Intel. Despite running a few hundred MHz faster than the old 2.93GHz X6850 dual-core chip, the E8500 consumes 30 watts less under full load.

It's also significantly quicker in every benchmark than the X6850. Part of that is no doubt thanks to the faster frequency, but the addition of 2MB of cache memory, now a borderline-silly total of 6MB, doesn't hurt. The same goes for the faster 1,333MHz bus. It's all gravy.

Of course, Intel would also claim that the various tweaks made to the Penryn architecture boost the dock-for-dock performance of its latest cores, too. You know, the new Radix 16 divider, enhanced SuperShuffle Engine and all that jazz. In practice, it's effectively impossible to isolate each of the upgrades and deduce exactly how much benefit they bring.

What we can say, however, is that the overall performance advantage of the E8500 over the X6850 is always above 10 per cent and sometimes as much as 20 per cent. That's despite the dock speed differential of just eight per cent. And remember, the E8500 is less than $300. At launch a little over 18 months ago, the X6850 was the world's fastest PC chip and cost a cool $900. That's progress for you.

The good news doesn't end there. We can also report that the E8500 is every bit as good an overclocking chip as you would hope; hitting 4GHz on air cooling is a cinch. Up the volts a bit, and even higher speeds are possible. All of which just leaves one lingering doubt. The full-fat, 12MB cache Q9450 quad-core chip can be had for just $50 more. Sure it's clocked a little lower at 2.6GHz. But for any system that's remotely multipurpose, the Q9450 is probably a better all-round bet.

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Which ASUS Motherboard model is best suitable for Core 2 Duo Processors?

I heard from many user here and they are happy with ASUS and I want to purchase Core 2 Duo Processor with ASUS Borad.
So which ASUS Board model is best?
Is it perfect combination or I should buy AMD processor for ASUS board?
Which is more suitable?

AMD will give you better performance for your money, but Core 2 Duo isn't the latest processor anymore so the difference is small now.

As far as what board is best for your processor, they're all good except I'd stay away from ones under $150 unless you see reviews saying that they perform well. The other things you have to consider when choosing the perfect board are:
1. How many graphics cards do you want?
2. How much RAM do you want?
3. How many SATA ports to you need?
4. How many USB ports do you want?
5. Do you need any PCI slots? (Most top of the line ASUS boards only have PCI-E)

In terms of overclocking, most boards can overclock to 4ghz with good cooling. Some low end boards though are purposely made to not be good at overclocking or don't have the BIOS options to support it.

Masterclass from Viktor&Rolf
Quirky Dutch design duo Viktor & Rolf held a masterclass in the art of dressing on Saturday, which was wildly applauded by the packed audience at their label's ready-to-wear show for next winter.

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