Deciding between amd dualcore or single core?

[davefred99]

I have doing a little research on my next projects. I plan on upgrading my desktop pc and possibly installing sage client on it. I currntly am using a pretty old P3 1.2 sytem that has pretty much outlived its usefullness. I am also planning on building a dedicated Sage Client PC for my livingroom pc.
I am planning on using the MSI 6150 motherbaords for both because of the onboard 6150 graphics for now and the ability to upgrade later if need be.
I just cant decide with the prices of AMD 939 processors falling soon, which way to go. I dont normaly run much in the backround other than Sage TV. It seems to me that a faster single core processor would run HDTV better than a slower clocked dual core. The real benifits of a dualcore are for running multiple processes at once.
Can someone please enlighten me on the pros and cons, dual vs single core.
Thanks, Dave

[craigap]

All I have to say is that I wish I went dual core. The one time you want/need to run something in the background while you watch TV will probably lead you to the same effect. I have an AMD 3700+ and I get stuttering video when doing certain multitasking.(i.e. Ripping CD's).

[stevech]

I doubt dual core would make much difference... esp. for CD I/O. I believe that Windows stops task scheduling and interrupts to a great extent during CD spin-ups.

[dblaine2]

I believe stevech is correct but read this thread if doing other things where dual core would greatly help.

http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=19073