most cores or more processors ?

Hi,
Is it more interresting to have one processor 4 cores, or tow physical processor having each one 2 cores ?

I guess second solution is better due to bus access... but processors in PC wast 99% of its time to do a NOP operation (do nothing) so ....

what s the best then ...

1 processor with 4 cores
2 processor with 2 cores
4 processors mono-core

thx

More processors means more power consumption. More cores doesn't necessarily more power consumption. At least, not in the amount of an extra processor. There are motherboards out there that can intelligently switch between processors in a multi-processor setup, but for regular consumer's use, that's way too much to pay for as they are more expensive than single multi-core processor setup.

Then again, I've seen a desktop setup a while ago with two double-processor motherboards, each holding an Intel i3 (like, the cheapest) and it outperformed a "top-line" i7 by 3-4x or so, for half the price of the setup. Used more power though...