What Processor to Buy - General Use, No Gaming, Longevity

[blckgrffn]

I wont argue with you about the hex core deal being a good one. But I dont really see that single thread performance will ever become "negligible". What is a quad core or even hex core? 4 or 6 single threads. If you can make those threads faster, the multi core processor will be faster as well.

And for the needs of he OP, I dont think a hex core is at all necessary. If he is able to overclock and willing to pay for power for cores he doesnt need, then the deal you stated could be a good one I guess. Personally though, I would prefer a faster dual core or quad core to an AMD hexcore, especially since the 2500 outperforms the AMD hex core in all but a few specialized applications while using less power. And I will stand by the i3 2100 recommendation for the OP. I am just saying if you insist on having more cores, I would prefer the i5 2500.

I meant that five or six years from now arguing the speed of a Phenom 2 core versus a Sandy Bridge core will largely academic. Six cores versus two cores is unlikely to be as an academic difference.

Software is growing more and more parallel in response to decreases in single thread performance.

Getting a dual core now for the long haul, even one with HT, is pretty silly in my opinion. Go quad+ - really, we are spoiled by how cheap these things have become.

 

[bononos]

Does the OP run programs that are going to make use of greater parallelism in future? I doubt it since its going to be a basic no frills pc. The 2100/2105 is a better option because of hyperthreading and will offer the chance to upgrade to a i5/7 in future.

 

[beginner99]

Cheapest Sandy Bridge Pentium:
Intel Pentium G620

Here this is 50.- cheaper than a i3. basically save on cpu+mobo and invest that into an ssd. That will have a lot more impact on his usage scenario and longevity.

any smartphone can do these tasks and they offer way less performance than any new cpu has. an x6 is just a waste of money + you would then also need a dedicated GPU. GPU is included in the above mentioned CPU.

 

[hectorsm]

The OP stated:

E-mail, web-browsing, itunes, etc. NO gaming. No fancy photoshop, etc. He wants fast general use.

If that's all it will be used for then I don't see how an six core will be of any benefit even in the future. The i3 will be cheaper and lower power consumption plus it has a built in graphic which should be enough for general purpose. Also the i3 should have about equal longevity as the X6 for the use stated by the OP.

My recommendation would be first an i3 2100 followed by an AMD Phenom II X4 or maybe an AMD Phenom II X2 (both AMD CPUs overclocked).