sGeek

If you are buying a new computer , chances are that you will stuck at this question : Whether to buy a single core processor or a dual core one.
I would in this thread try to alleviate this problem.

Currently single core processors are at their cheapest so anybody would be tempted to go for a single core processor. For users on a very tight budget it would be better to go for a single core.
Currently users have a choice of going for single core processors based on AM2 socket based amd processors.
On intel front they have got the pentium 4 lineup (which has been axed) or they can wait for core solo processors.

The disadvantage with single core is that most of the games / applications will be optimized for dual core. So chances are that the single core processors will perform poorly in comparison to a dual core processor.Even the Vista operating System is optimized for dual core. So while single core processor will hold out today the same cannot be said after say 6 months.

If u are a gamer or multi-task a lot go for a dual core processor.A dual core processor has two cores on the same die.It allows you to do multiple tasks without slowing down. Games such as COD2 ,Quake 4 are dual core optimized.
At entry level u can go for amd x2 3600+ processor if on a tight budget.
However Core2duo processors from intel are excellent peformers and are 20% faster than comparable amd processors. There is no competition to the core2duo lineup as of now be it games or multitasking.

However make sure that the computer you buy is well balanced . Its no use going for a higend processor with 256MB as system ram.
As a thumb rule get a computer with atleast 1GB ram (512Mb if in tight budget).

If u do have your own suggestions or questions do ask in this thread

regards,
sGeek