Dual Core or Quad Core?

[2135]

I'm trying to decide between a dual core and a quad core i5 processor.

Here's the problem:

I'm building a general-purpose mini-itx PC.
A dual core processor would (I assume) generate less heat and be more manageable for a mini-itx build. Plus, I'm using an h55 motherboard, so a dual core would allow me to use integrated graphics over my GTX460 when not gaming, for even less heat generation.

Right now, I have an i5-760 (unopened, so I can return it).
Would it be possible to obtain a similar performance with a dual core i5 processor?
Or perhaps I should wait for the new sandy bridge processors?

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jprahman]

To get similar performance from a dual core i5 compared to a i7-760 you'd have to overclock it pretty aggressively, probably wiping out any thermal advantage gained.
However a dual core i5 could still perform well enough depending on what programs you're planning on running. I would take a look as various benchmarks to see if a dual core i5 is up to the task.

Using an integrated GPU in tandem with a discrete GPU is termed switchable graphics, and unfortunately I haven't heard of many desktop implementations available.

If you're concerned about heat buildup inside the case you could get a video card that features external exhaust. EVGA makes external exhaust versions of many of its cards, and many ATI (AMD rather) cards also feature external exhaust.

Edit: If you're not planning on playing many, if any, games, especially higher end games, you may want to look at a dual or quad core Sandy Bridge CPU on an H67 chipset motherboard. The IGP on Sandy Bridge is much better that the IGP on the i5-i3 Clarkdales, and Sandy Bridge processors perform better than a comparable Nahelem processor. However, this only applies if gaming is a very low priority, since the switchable graphics limitations mentioned about still apply and the Sandy Bridge IGP is too weak to play higher end games.