That'll be speedstep, it underclocks your cpu when idle to reduce temps. As soon as it's needed it'll return to normal speed, if it bothers you go > start > control panel > power options > then set to high performance.
Just had a look around at price for ya too, you said about been £60 more expensive so i'm guessing your from the uk.
2x 9600GT's for £187.98 * linked to wrong one's first time.
Or
2x 8800GT's for £223.23
Or even
2x 8800GT's With 10Yr warrenty for £234.98
So it's upto you, but if you could wait a little longer the new cards are around the corner and you could see what type of price performance they offer.
How long do you plan on keeping the system ? if it's a year or two you might be better off with the E8400, if you plan on keeping it 2+ years i'd get the Q6600, due to more and more games in the future taking advantage of multi-core.
I was actually wrong, the 8800GT's in Sli seem to be better then 9600 in almost all tests. It depends on if you think the difference in price is worth the extra performance.
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