Q9550 is down to $339.99 and Q9650 for $559.99
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
I would have gone in for Q9650 eyes closed if it had been priced sub 20k.
I could go in for it even for 25k, but spending 25k on a CPU just doesn't look right.
Anyway planning to go for Q9550 (mostly) once price cuts get applied in India,
Held out on the E8500 purchase for this.
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 Yorkfield 2.83GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 95W Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
Newegg.com - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9650 3.0GHz 12MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor - Processors - Desktops
I would have gone in for Q9650 eyes closed if it had been priced sub 20k.

Anyway planning to go for Q9550 (mostly) once price cuts get applied in India,
Held out on the E8500 purchase for this.