Which should I get?

[bounty29]

P4 Here (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-161&depa=1)
-Northwood
-2.8GHz
-800MHz FSB
-512k Cache
-$180

P4 Here (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-170&depa=1)
-Prescott
-2.8GHz
-800MHz FSB
-1MB Cache
-$175 Edit: They bumped it up to $179 in the past few hours :rolleyes:

I'm building my first computer, and it's mainly for gaming/internet, but I want it to last me for a while(mainly Half-Life 2 and maybe Doom 3.) I have a soyo motherboard, I'm only planning on overclocking it a little bit, it'll be my first time, so my goals aren't too high. I'll have a Radeon 9800 Pro, and I've got 512MB of PC3200 DDR. Cooling shouldnt be an issue, I've got a Thermalright 947u, a 92mm fan and some Arctic Silver5, and several case fans(and i live in vermont, so it doesnt get too hot around here.) What would some experienced intel users suggest?

[batboy]

I would not get the Prescott unless you wait a few more weeks and get the new stepping.

I just got a 3.0C and it's doing good. Lots of folks are having great luck with the 3.0C. This one does 3.75 gig with 1.55v. I tested it at 3.6 gig using default vcore and it ran flawlessly. I'm using the same heatsink as you. Your RAM will be fine using the 5:4 ratio with either the 2.8C or 3.0C.

[bounty29]

What is the stepping? I've heard the term before but I don't know what it is. What would be the advantage of waiting for the new one to come out? I really like the 1MB L2 cache :-/

Edit: And how would the RAM be for a 2.8E? I'm not aiming to overclock too far, maybe 3.2 tops