Intel Core 2 Duo Processors Revisited
 

Two processor cores are the reasonable minimum for most desktops today. Most processors we are going to review today fall into the magical price range of "up to $200" and can be used in a $500 PC performing much better than a relatively inexpensive notebook (or a four-year-old top PC). So, this choice is justified, when you have a strictly limited budget or just don't want to spend too much money.

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/in...ug2009-p1.html