Dual or Quad Cores?

[ss3251]

For use on a home computer for web surfing and word processing, will a dual core processor (such as the i-3 or i-5) be good to buy now, or would I be foolish for not choosing a quad core (such as an i-5 or i-7)?

Would it be more important to get more RAM than another two cores on the processor, for my use?

What should good RAM be? 4GB?

I don't need a top line gaming machine, but don't want to have an outdated machine right away either...

 

[c88ms]

It really depends on your budget. I would recommend a dual core (i3 or AMD 550) and decent performance hard drive like WD Caviar Black. I'd definitely hold off on the SSDs since its pricey but then again it really depends on your budget.

 

[r_manic]

Best answer selected by r_manic.