quad core?

So im building a new computer soon and i need your advice. I have up to £1200 (english pounds) to spend on the base unit, im going for the following:

750 gig hd space min(seagate)
2 gig ram, corsair ( speed dependant on remaining cash)
320 gig 8800 geforce probably

The real question is should i go for a quad core? is it worth spending 500 pounds on it or should i stick to a nice dual core.

It would cost over 300 pounds for the 2.67 dual core (intel), for 200 pounds more i could get the 2.4 quad core, then it would  still be an above average system in 3 years time.

Also, if i waiting a few months, would the price come down a lot?

Note: System will run linux and all the hardware i have looked at is supported.

Dual core is fine, stick with that. I might get a 3.2ish dual core, so that it will still be above average in a few years time. 2.4 is pretty slow, any (future) program that doesn't take advantage of multi-coring could slow down a lot.

>>2

Future programs that don't take advantage of multi-coring will have no users.  Something University syllabi have yet to reflect.  Why the fuck are they still teaching locking if I have to manage several hundred threads?  CSP, lock-free algorithms and transactional memory FTW.

If they made intel core duo's at 3.2gig i would get one, but the fastest is at 2.67. Even though the core 2 duos and quad cores have lower clock speeds they are faster than the p4/d's etc.

since most dev's cant even get the full power out of dual cores i'd steer clear of quad cores for at least another 2-3yrs. you'll get raw power sure. but it's the difference between a 454 bigblock corvette and a hand sculptured ferrari.

give them them time to "figure out" dual's first...

So most people think the way to go is to get a decent dual core? And its not worth waiting a few months for the price to come down?

I'd wait for ATIs dx10 cards so that GF8 drops in price, IF you're going to buy a whole new system. And I'd get a core duo too, I can't even think of ONE game off the top of my head that is announced (much less released) with the capability to really utilize quadcore.

>>2
>>4
they like, totally need more megahurts!

>>4

E6600 hits 3.2 on air easy.

>>1

Wait until April 22 or you'll be kicking yourself in the ass.  Price drop in twelve days is the CW on the streets, kids.  If you're using Windows, aren't doing video work or heavy-duty coding, go dual and fap at the speed of sound.  If you're doing a lot of heavy computing, or running Linux, go for the lower-priced quad and fap at over 9000.

>>9

Interesting someone else mentioned a price drop. Since i am a pretty heavy linux user and run many applications more so than single large ones i will wait it out a while and see if the price does drop. Thanks for the info.