Computer question
 

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.

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

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.

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

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