What is the better processor a regular quad core or a duo core extreme.?

Question

I’m getting ready to enroll in the Art institute online. I’ll be working with programs like 3ds max, Maya, After effects, and Premiere. I want to spend around $2000 to $3000 for a good computer. I’ve prices some quad core Dells and after tricking them out with 2 monitors and 4 gigs of ram and some other stuff it’s over $4,000 I checked out some Alienware computers with similar specs and they are about $300 cheaper. Spending around $4000 for a computer seems to be too much. I know a quad core extreme must be the fastest processors they are so expensive. So my question really is what is better a regular quad core or a duo core extreme.

Answer 1

For what you are doing, a regular quad core, easily. Those applications are multithreaded, which means they can fully take advantage of mulitple cores, so absolutely you would want a quad core. Even the least expensive quad core would be better than the most expensive dual core for what you are doing. If you want further advice on other parts for the computer, feel free to email me.

Answer 2

Hp has put their first quad core computer at Circuitcity. it's about $1100 but it's expandable to 8 GB instead of 4, like the older models. Here;s the specs! THAT'S A HECK OF A DEAL!

HP Pavilion Media Center TV PC (M8120N)
•Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600
•640GB hard drive
•TV tuner/recorder

•3GB of DDR2 memory
•Burns DVDs and CDs
•Windows Vista Home Premium