Tell me what desktop to get

[F U Clock]

I need a new desktop, and I'm thinking of going for a Dell Inspiron 530, but I'm debating which processor to get. I could go with a Pentium dual-core, Core 2 Duo, or a Core 2 Quad. I figure I really don't need anything that intense as a quad, 'cause I mostly plan on editing music and doing photoshop/ Flash, but I think I may pop in a game occasionally. So how 'bout it. Dual-core good enough?

[LuxenbergClock]

yeah dual core is very sufficient, i'd say

[joliet_jane]

http://www.magicmicro.com/
The computers here are highly customizable and if you have an old computer you can maybe re-use the parts.

There are many, many cases and parts to choose from.  Pay as much or as little as you can stand.  I bought the second cheapest board and power supply they had.  This may have been a mistake...

[F U Clock]

My brother seems to think I should go in the middle with the Core 2 duo. It seems pretty cheap around $630, but yeah I'll check out some other places and weigh my options.

[TruncheonClock]

Dual-Core > Quad-Core

They quad-core CPU's are fairly unstable, plus they over-heat like a bitch

Although, if you're going to have liquid cooling at some point you could go with a quad.

[joliet_jane]

Dual-Core > Quad-Core

Yes, now that you mention it.

I've just remembered that another cheapo custom PC builder, portatech.com, actually has a chart showing benchmarks and prices, which I thought was very helpful:

The AMD list is similar, and this is why I got a dual core instead of a quad core.  The gain in speed just wasn't significant enough for the price.

[RabidClock]

Be a man, get a mac.

But if PC is your thing, don't ever get a Dell for a personal computer - their customer service is terrible unless you own several computers.

[AlbinoClock]

Labor is expensive. Build it yourself.

[LuxenbergClock]

Be a man, get a mac.

I may pop in a game occasionally.

hurr hurr