Computer question

[Easy Mac]

Trying to decide between a lower end quad core and system and a higher end core 2 intel. All other components being equal (memory, HD, video card), which is better for the following use:

converting HD videos to other formats. Basically, TiVo and media center HD recordings to mkv streaming to the rest of the house. Also, hypothetically ripping/converting blu Ray and DVD collection. Ripping and converting CDs to flac. Occasional web surfing.

[sovereignstar v2]

I'd get the lower-end quad as those media-related tasks will take advantage of the extra cores.

[Ironhead]

From everything I can recall when I built my system two years ago quad core was recommended for anything media intensive like converting and graphics work. I think you would only really want a good dual core processor if your primary concern was gaming since most games don't use more than 2 cores and rely more heavily on the graphics card.

[cartman]

Yep, if you are doing any kind of encoding work, more cores is mo' bettah.

[PilotMan]

Quad is the way to go here. The key is all other things being equal, the quad is just a better powerhouse.