Number of cores isn't too important, just looking for best performance for the money.
Yes, it is.
This computer will be used for light gaming and heavy scientific software usage (Matlab, Simulink, 3D function plotting, CAD).
Than you'd better get a 4 core processor.
e5200 with an OC...cheaper than $100 too
Agreed. The base model Clarkdale won't have HT but it's turning out to be a monster overclocker.
Overclocking on a productive machine?!
Are you serious?!
Think about data corruption or instabilitys that only occur when the CPU is under high load for a long time, like VIAs 686B bug...
No one can guarantee anything if something is not working as the manufacturer expectet it...
I remember a 'performance tip' of a German hardware mag, called PCGH, who advised to overclock the PCIe clock up to 125MHz...
Wich is a pretty good idea, if you forget the setbacks like the S-ATA clock is also generated out of the PCIe clock wich caused empty harddisks in the end...
Everytime, there is more than one side, you should not forget (to mention) the 'dark side' as well!