Dual/Quad Core?

[4321Rocket]

Hi,

 

So I'm stuck figuring out the difference between dual core and quad core. Like I know that quad core is better depending on the task and also for multitasking, but I was wondering as to what I would best fit my needs.

 

I am planning on building a HTPC for watching blu ray discs, home videos and surfing the web (when I say surfing the web I usually have approximately 8+ tabs opened). I was hoping to use an intel CPU so either an i3 or an i5 (leaning more towards i5 at the moment cause I feel like a quad core will suit me). 

 

Hopefully I find a response that clarifies what I should get.

 

Thanks,

4321Rocket

[79wjd]

An i3 would be more than enough for your use. Hell, even a Pentium would be fine.

[Kherm]

an i3 should be fine

[SparkySamZa]

never mind

[Faceman]

For a HTPC, an i3 will be more than enough.

[SImoHayha]

an i3 in a sense is somewhat a quad core its kinda a fake one.... it has four threads but two cores and that mimics a quad core . but go with an i3, multitasking will also depend on

how much ram you have as well, not just the cpu it's self

[4321Rocket]

Geez, that was fast. So would you guys recommend 8gb of RAM to handle the multitasking needs?

[terrytek]

even a core 2 duo will still do you good.

[79wjd]

Geez, that was fast. So would you guys recommend 8gb of RAM to handle the multitasking needs?

Yes, 8gb is the sweet spot now...although, you could technically get even away with 4gb (most of the time) if you're on a really tight budget.

[Opcode]

Athlon 5350 would be more than sufficient even.

[Peter Vaughan Truslow]

Hi,

 

So I'm stuck figuring out the difference between dual core and quad core. Like I know that quad core is better depending on the task and also for multitasking, but I was wondering as to what I would best fit my needs.

 

I am planning on building a HTPC for watching blu ray discs, home videos and surfing the web (when I say surfing the web I usually have approximately 8+ tabs opened). I was hoping to use an intel CPU so either an i3 or an i5 (leaning more towards i5 at the moment cause I feel like a quad core will suit me). 

 

Hopefully I find a response that clarifies what I should get.

 

Thanks,

4321Rocket

for HTPC use, an I3 with 8gb of RAM and a small SSD is a great performing system for the money. I know this because I have two of them in the house.

one is I3 with 8gb of RAM, the other is a Pentium G3258 with a Nvidia GT 720(compensating for weaker integrated graphics, also intel integrated is finicky with windows media center for live TV)

[awesomes8wc3]

My HTPC has an Athlon 64 X2.

You really don't need much.

[4321Rocket]

ok three last questions:

 

1. What type of case/motherboard would you guys recommend for an HTPC (I've looked at a bunch of cases and I'm leaning a bit towards corsair 250d cause it has an optical drive spot and meshes to help keep dust out; as for mobo, I'm not to sure).

2. Is there a specific i3 that you guys would recommend? I'm planning on going for a cheap dual channel 1333 8gb of RAM since the previous poster mentioned that its the sweet spot.

3. I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but will I need a discrete graphics card to output HD audio?

[terrytek]

ok three last questions:

 

1. What type of case/motherboard would you guys recommend for an HTPC (I've looked at a bunch of cases and I'm leaning a bit towards corsair 250d cause it has an optical drive spot and meshes to help keep dust out; as for mobo, I'm not to sure).

2. Is there a specific i3 that you guys would recommend? I'm planning on going for a cheap dual channel 1333 8gb of RAM since the previous poster mentioned that its the sweet spot.

3. I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but will I need a discrete graphics card to output HD audio?

1. I would recommend a 250D.

2. i3-4130.

3. no.

[kpreg]

an i3 with 8gb of ram will be fine for what you said. 

[Faceman]

ok three last questions:

 

1. What type of case/motherboard would you guys recommend for an HTPC (I've looked at a bunch of cases and I'm leaning a bit towards corsair 250d cause it has an optical drive spot and meshes to help keep dust out; as for mobo, I'm not to sure).

2. Is there a specific i3 that you guys would recommend? I'm planning on going for a cheap dual channel 1333 8gb of RAM since the previous poster mentioned that its the sweet spot.

3. I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but will I need a discrete graphics card to output HD audio?

A 250D is way overkill for just a HTPC.  You can buy a cheap case of Craigslist for $20, or go into a Tigerdirect/Order online for $40 and get a pleasant looking case that isn't too aggressive that still has an optical drive.

 

I would get an i3-4130 or i3-4330 and pair it with an H81/B85 motherboard.  Keep that RAM.

 

Nope, no need for a dedicated GPU.

[79wjd]

ok three last questions:

 

1. What type of case/motherboard would you guys recommend for an HTPC (I've looked at a bunch of cases and I'm leaning a bit towards corsair 250d cause it has an optical drive spot and meshes to help keep dust out; as for mobo, I'm not to sure).

2. Is there a specific i3 that you guys would recommend? I'm planning on going for a cheap dual channel 1333 8gb of RAM since the previous poster mentioned that its the sweet spot.

3. I'm pretty sure the answer to this is no, but will I need a discrete graphics card to output HD audio?

Well, the case is a very subjective thing....You can definitely go cheaper/smaller than a 250D as it's both expensive and pretty big....however, if you like the aesthetics, it is a good case.

For the cpu, i3-4130 and the cheapest LGA1150 board you can find (from Asus, AsRock, MSI, or Gigabyte). Just keep in mind, that the "cheapest" board may not have a USB 3.0 header (if thats important to you). For the Ram, I would recommend the cheapest 8gb (1x 8gb stick) as it leave you room to add another stick should you need more ram, and the speed is irrelevant, so don't even worry about that. (For ram, anything from Corsair, Kingston, Crucial, Adata, or PNY is good)

[4321Rocket]

Ya after doing research, I may as well pick up an Apex MI-008 cause it comes with a 250W PSU and its $60. Also I forgot to ask, is stock CPU fan enough? I heard that it may get loud and its best to get a different CPU Cooler.

[79wjd]

Ya after doing research, I may as well pick up an Apex MI-008 cause it comes with a 250W PSU and its $60. Also I forgot to ask, is stock CPU fan enough? I heard that it may get loud and its best to get a different CPU Cooler.

The stock fan can get loud, but an i3 in the light tasks you'll be using it in shouldn't push the fan to hard.

[terrytek]

Ya after doing research, I may as well pick up an Apex MI-008 cause it comes with a 250W PSU and its $60. Also I forgot to ask, is stock CPU fan enough? I heard that it may get loud and its best to get a different CPU Cooler.

Stock coolers are ok, but not the best. You should be fine though.

[4321Rocket]

Alright thank you guys so much!!! I'll post again if I have any other questions.

[chalklin]

Wouldn't recommend getting a case with a PSU unless its a good brand, if its cheap then get it but get a good quality PSU that's 400ish watts or less, anything over that is way overkill

[chaanp]

the Dual core would be fine for your case.