http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103847 Could I use this processor in my gaming machine without any overclocking or unlocking cores. I dont want to unlock cores because I'm unsure whether it will damage any of my hardware or not.
It isn't a great CPU...if you just want to play at average settings, and you have a good video card, then it is passable...but I still think a quadcore (or hexcore if supported) would be a better buy.
The X2 550 is actually a potent CPU for a dual core. For gaming purposes it will serve you reasonably well, but dual cores are very quickly becoming out of date. If you already have an AMD system and are buying a new CPU for it, I'd strongly recommend something like a Phenom II X4 instead. If you're buying a whole new system, I'd strongly recommend considering an Intel Core i5 system instead.
