I'm not sure this goes here but of the available choices, this seemed the best.
I am getting a new computer in October and am trying to educate myself a bit on some of the aspects of the industry. I only buy a new cpu every 4-5 years. I tend to buy on the leading edge when I do so that the cpu specs will last. My computer focus is mostly on playing some games. (WOW for now). I know WOW isn't too intense for the average cpu but I want to make sure that whatever is out there in a few years is playable. (I know I may have to upgrade components here and there and that I wont be able to play top of the line games in even 18 months but...well, you get the pic.)
I am going to get a core i7. What I dont understand is the clockspeed. I understand that it is basically how fast the cpu processes instructions, but am I really going to see much of a difference between the 920 and the 940? 950 and 975? I just dont want to spend the extra cash if the difference is not going to be noticable.

Definitely stick with the 920. You can easily OC the 920 yourself to 3Ghz+.

I saw your other thread asking about which OS to get, and I saw the link that you posted. If you want to get better components for your money, I would suggest building it yourself, if you're up to it.

the idea of overclocking a cpu scares me.
I work in the nuclear power industry so for over ten years now, I have been living in a subculture that everything has limits for a reason and so on and so forth and if a manufacturer says this is it then that's just it.
I have a very rudimentary understanding of what overclocking does to the cpu. Does it have an effect on its expected life? Does it hurt the chip at all? I recognize that it requires additional cooling because the cpu generates more heat, does that mean that I need a super crazy cooling system? How is it actually done? If at some point I have to format the computer or something like that, will I have to reset it?

And I guess the biggest question is, since I am used to running a Pentium 4, will I notice any difference between a 920 and an overclocked 920. Will I notice any difference between a 920 and a 975 for that matter.

Is how fast things load the only thing that is affected by clock speed?

This might be off a bit, but the simplest way I could probably put it is, through the BIOS you can increase the CPU's clock speed by increasing the FSB (Front Side Bus) or multiplier. However, these can only go so high until the CPU becomes unstable. This is when you increase the voltage by a little bit, and that will allow you to maintain higher stable OCs.

But increasing the voltage also increases heat, which will lower the lifespan of the CPU if left unchecked. That's why to counter this, an aftermarket heatsink and fan setup is recommended when OCing.

You don't need an extreme cooling setup to safely OC. You just need something better than the stock cooling because stock cooling is only really good for stock speeds. A good $30-$40 aftermarket CPU cooler will work fine.

You will notice a bit of a difference between a stock 920 and an OC'ed 920 because that is what OCing is meant to do, you will notice it more by running benchmarks though. There is also a difference between a 920 and a 975, but I was trying to say that although there is a difference, it isn't worth an extra $750.

Okay, now I understand. I think then that I would prefer to just stick with a straight 920. It sounds like oc may not be the best option for someone like me who only buys a new cpu every 4-5 years. I have to make it last so sticking with the stock settings is probably the best idea. Thank you.

An OC'd 920 and the stock 920 will only make a big difference if you are benchmarking, or running games like Crysis and UT3.

Heres my 2 cents. The Core i7 is the most bada$$ setup on the market right now. For what you are doing (WoW, in this case) that is like going after a fly with a bazooka. Its OVERKILL for WoW. But, I am by no strech of the imagination saying that you should not get it. its always good to have that kind of power, especially if you want to get into the high-end graphics market.

A word of caution though. Get a BIG, COPPER, 8 heatpipe behemoth heatsink. Intel hardware runs hot, and you will be much safer if you make heat a non-issue.

Get this
Newegg.com - ZEROtherm BTF90 92mm Silent UFO CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

and this
Newegg.com - Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - Thermal Compound / Grease

and you're good to go

I have been considering this heat sink,
Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

is the one you recommended better?

I know that the i7 isn't needed to play wow but I have to make whatever computer I buy last 4-5 years. When I bought my current computer, the cpu in it was the same way. but now its out dated. It lasted me a good long time though.