Intel CPUs - Should I upgrade on "tick" or "tock"?

Current Sandy Bridge boards will also support Ivy Bridge processors from what I've heard. Depends on what your main uses are. The Core i7 2600K I have is great bang for the buck (have it @ 4.7 ghz right now with HT off), the i5 2500K even better. If you are doing a lot of heavily threaded apps, maybe a 6 core would be better, like the i7 970 or future SB Extreme

As far as AMD goes, I'm pretty skeptical there. I doubt that Bulldozer will pass Sandy Bridge in core-vs-core power, or even reach it actually

The center 2 Duo's run swifter and cooler than the Pentiums. in case you may aford it i could recomend having a minimum of a E6550 or greater useful, and Newegg is usualy the suited place to locate them. as far as gaming is going, you will likely word a much better difference with video taking part in cards than CPU's. So ultimatly in case you're on a good funds, spend greater $ on the video card than on your CPU, Your nvidia 8800 GTX would desire to run virtually something on extreme. :)

The center 2 Duo's run faster and cooler than the Pentiums. in case you could aford it i might recomend having a minimum of a E6550 or greater powerful, and Newegg is usualy the best place to locate them. so far as gaming is going, you will probable be conscious a larger difference with video taking part in cards than CPU's. So ultimatly in case you're on a good funds, spend greater $ on the video card than on your CPU, Your nvidia 8800 GTX could run very almost something on extreme. :)

well not sure if im really awake or half asleep but giv intel the finger (even though i have one) and get a Zambezi lol but it's up to you as it has suit your needs but if you not up to giving intel the finger i would get ( A)

Intel usually doesn't upgrade their processors after a die shrink, so you should upgrade when the processor is upgraded rather than on the die shrink.