The prospect of a Core 2 system build can seem a bit daunting for enthusiasts who have spent years focused solely on the Athlon 64. Core 2 processors need new motherboards for those switching from the Athlon 64, and that requires navigating a whole new world of core logic chipsets. Since the Core 2 processor relies on the chipset for its memory controller, one's chipset choice can also have a much more profound impact on performance.

To guide you through the brave new world of Core 2 chipsets, we've rounded up the latest core logic that Intel and Nvidia have to offer. Read on to see which should be at the heart of your next Core 2 system.

The TechReport