With so many pricing changes hitting the processor market over the past couple of months, a new system guide is overdue. As we were busy updating TR's look and feel, Intel and AMD lowered prices across their respective processor lineups and, in doing so, created two new trends: the effective disappearance of premium dual-core CPUs, and the democratization of quad-core chips.

Indeed, both Intel's speediest dual-core processor and its most affordable quad-core chip are now available for less than $300. AMD's fastest dual-core desktop chip also costs less than $300, although the world's number two processor maker has yet to roll out a quad-core desktop offering.

Join us as we outfit four recommended system builds with these recently-discounted CPUs and provide our take on what parts best complement them.