I just read a review on the sandybridge, and it eats the older i7's for lunch. I don't expect that it will take intel very long to fix the chipset problem, it might behoove you to sit on your decision for a couple of weeks. The $320 2600k stomps all over the c$850 975, and it overclocks like a champ too, the only 1366 socket cpu that can beat the top sandybridge is the six core 980 which is north of $1000. BTW it's the 1155 socket that's new and goes with the sandybridge, the 1156 is the old i3 and i5 socket and is for all intents and purposes dead. The 1366 is supposed to be still viable, but I wouldn't put money on it.