I'm debating whether I should upgrade my processor.  Here's my current setup:

Intel Duo Core E6600 @ 2.4 Ghz

4 gigs of Gskill 6400 memory

Gigabyte mainboard

8800GTS 640mb

320 GB sata hd

audigy 2 soundcard

19" Dell Widescreen LCD Monitor

I'm planning on playing Fallout 3, Far Cry 2 , Crysis Warhead, etc.  I contemplating on upgrading to a E8400.  I chose the E8400 because money is somewhat tight and I want to keep the upgrade to $200.  Do you think I should buy the E8400 or keep what I have?  All input is appreciated.  Thanks.

Since you know what your purpose is, future games. I say wait. I don't see a point of upgrading now when the games aren't out yet. At least wait until the games come out to see how your machine handles it. If it isn't to your liking, then upgrade. Also, while you wait, prices will far for components.

Instead of upgrading the processor, I would suggest you upgrade the video card. It will have more of an effect on those games.

You can also overclock your processor if you don't mind the risks.

The 8400 is a smart buy for a few reasons:

1) Price to performance ratio/3ghz is the sweet spot of core 2 arch. IMO because it will feed even the most hungry GFX setup

2) Even without OC'ing 3ghz is very fast and 6mb of cache is a deffinate plus

3) 4 cores has it's benefits, but ATM games can't really take advantage(except a few which see only marginal fps improvement)

BTW: Ryu is right about a GFX upgrade having the most affect on gaming performance. Going from an E6600 to an E8400 would deffinately speed your system up overall, but getting a faster GFX card like a GTX 260/280 would lend itself to improving framerates more so than the cpu.

BTW2: I recommend going for a GFX upgrade over a CPU upgrade if your budget permits just 1 upgrade even though the E8400 is a nice choice for the reasons I mentioned above. To put it in perspective: You would even gain more frames going from your G80 GTS to a G90 GTS than you would with the extra 2mb of cache and 600mhz of the 8400... hope that made sense.

Lastly: I'd be willing to bet that the E6600 @ stock speed wouldn't even bottleneck a GTX 280 that much, if at all.

I'll repeat everything Recovering and Ryu have said, except to say I would go with an HD 4870. More bang for the buck IMO. The cheapest GTX280 at Newegg is $440 with shipping. The Cheapest HD 4870 is $275 with shipping. the $170 to me is not worth the small lead the 280 has in some games. This is just my opinion. Recovering's advice is sound and I would follow it.

recoveringknowitall:

The 8400 is a smart buy for a few reasons:

1) Price to performance ratio/3ghz is the sweet spot of core 2 arch. IMO because it will feed even the most hungry GFX setup

2) Even without OC'ing 3ghz is very fast and 6mb of cache is a deffinate plus

  I think the E8400 Wolfdale is a good choice for these reasons and Im wanting to build me a separte system with it and some watercooling just to see how far I can OC it!I I,ve got my eyes on a used water cooler that I want to modify and use some non conductive coolant to use in this process  to play with it to see just how far I can get without smoking it!