retired_selena

In my opinion it depends on what you are using your PC for. For instance a mate of mine has FM, the internet, and iTunes open at the same time a lot so he got a Quad Core. However if you are only going to be using one application at a time I would be more tempted by a Dual Core.

retired_audberry

Quad core's a little excessive for those apps, I have those and others open on my dual core with no problems.

retired_jshendel

Same. I can have about 3 things unraring with my quad core (one thing unraring used to cripple my old pc)

retired_jshendel

Sorry not quad, dual

retired_dogs2son1

I'd get the better graphics card and RAM. Although if you can stretch to it, just get the Quad as well.

To be honest to the average user like most are, you aren't going to notice massive amounts of difference between the dual and quad right now.

retired_lavely3

Quad core's a little excessive for those apps, I have those and others open on my dual core with no problems. </BLOCKQUOTE>

And I run more on a old single core P4

If you're not really going to stretch the machine too much (and if you're not sure, you probably won't be), you probably don't need the more expensive quad cores.

retired_liss_120

None.

I would be surprised if there were many games available that require a dual core processor.

retired_stevesgrl

if you are looking at a top range C2D I think you might as well go for the Q6600. I certainly will be going for the Q6600 when I do a complete overhaul of my P4 2.66GHz

StewDogg

The dual cores you've listed there have a faster FSB (1333 v 1066). A computer spends 90% moving data to and from memory and few apps will be able to fully take advantage of a quad core CPU.

As others have said, I'd spend my money on faster/more memory and a good graphics csrd, particularly if you're running Vista.

retired_Rynny

imo i would still go for the quad core, the fsb difference in speed is negligible and the quad core actually has more cache which more than makes up for it. it has already been proven in benchmarks that the fsb is not fully saturated yet so the fsb is not likely to hold back the quadcore even though its slightly slower than the dual core.