Windows 7: Whats a good processor to get(intel)

Hi people, i am in the market for a new processor and i just wanted to know what are some good one made by intel. I have heard of the i7's and i5's but i'm wondering which kind i should get. The main purpose I want to buy a new processor is b/c of gaming mostly and some video rendering. The current processor i have now is a intel Pentum D 2.8GHz, and its a about a six year old PC. I have upgraded the ram and GPU thats a 06 model. So is it worth it to upgrade or buy a new PC and will i have to get a new motherboard if I upgrade my CPU.

Yes you would also have to buy a new motherboard to upgrade to a more modern CPU since yours is so old. You can do some research by going to the Intel site and researching new motherboard socket types and processors and be sure to match the socket type to the processor you are interested in. You would also have to upgrade ram and quite possibly the video card depending on what type of games you want to play.

You can either buy a new computer or build your own which will get you more hardware for the money and you may be able to use your old case, DVD player, power supply but prior research is the key.

First: select a budget for your build/new computer.
Second: select hardware, and features that you want ensuring hardware compatibility
Third: ensure power supply is powerful enough to run all your modern hardware, Newer higher end cards require a 500 W+ power supply. Most store bought computers also contain a low rated cheap power supply.

Fourth: Keep posting as you choose hardware/features of your own build or pre-built computer so other members can advise on whether items/computer chosen match your needs, are a good deal and most of all compatible.

General advice:

Get an Intel "Sandy Bridge" processor in the 2000 series (2100 through 2600). The motherboard should have a P67 chipset if you buy a K processor or an H67 chipset if you do not buy a K processor.

Go with a K processor if you want to overclock and a non-K if you don't.

A worthwhile upgrade will require a new CPU, motherboard, and DDR 3 RAM at a minimum. It can be done for under $400 in the USA.

A new PSU and graphics card is a possibility and would add to the above cost.

According to the current reviews by PCPRO - Core i5-2500K is by far the best value.

You could get the non k for a little less - about £30 less here - probably worth getting the k .

Prebuilt system based on that comes out around £960 here - including the horrible european 20% sales tax.

Wait for intel to release its Z68 motherboard and get either a i7 2500k, or i7 2600k.
The Z68 chip will allow you to utilize the GPU inside the CPU as well as an add-in GPU.