AMD dual or Intel dual

[cattb]

       IMHO I would go with a whitebox build, do it yourself or have someone do it for you, really its not hard to build one, just have your homework done. I would also have a new computer that is upgradeable in the future.
       Like others said, dual core would do what you want.
       On the spinning clipboard, MY computer had a problem recently and I replaced the motherboard and CPU. I went from ASUS to Gigabyte, I used to have a amd dual core and i used the optimizer patch. I have a phenom triple core 8750, i have no problems running AH, also I don't use the patch.       

[TequilaChaser]

       IMHO I would go with a whitebox build, do it yourself or have someone do it for you, really its not hard to build one, just have your homework done. I would also have a new computer that is upgradeable in the future.
       Like others said, dual core would do what you want.
       On the spinning clipboard, MY computer had a problem recently and I replaced the motherboard and CPU. I went from ASUS to Gigabyte, I used to have a amd dual core and i used the optimizer patch. I have a phenom triple core 8750, i have no problems running AH, also I don't use the patch.      

cattb,
not sure if you overclock or not but here is a post I made to the Zohan, talking about where they stumbled across unlocking the 4th core  and or unlocking 2 more cores on a dual core processor..........incase you are into this type of thing.....

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,264408.msg3296009.html#msg3296009

webpage links are in the post in the above linked thread.....

[Masherbrum]

cattb,
not sure if you overclock or not but here is a post I made to the Zohan, talking about where they stumbled across unlocking the 4th core  and or unlocking 2 more cores on a dual core processor..........incase you are into this type of thing.....

http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/index.php/topic,264408.msg3296009.html#msg3296009

webpage links are in the post in the above linked thread.....

I wouldn't try "unlocking" it.   He already fried a video card because he didn't research it beforehand.   

[cattb]

Late post, I did some reading on unlocking the fourth core, it seems AMD has plugged the hole in the BIOS, AMD has contacted companies so it can't be done anymore with ACC..from what i have read.(later model motherboards with updated BIOS) But my CPU is unlocked I have had it up 3.0.(from stock 2.3 or 2.4 don't remember).but I have  it back down to stock , does everything i need as is for now.
 Thanks appreciate it.
Cattb

[RTHolmes]

It's always better to build your own...  Factory built systems are overpriced..

depends. if you are retired/unemployed/lots of spare time, and like building and fixing PCs then its most likely cheaper. someone posted their own build recently and stated a total of 2 days to spec/build it (which sounds about average). if those 2 days dont cost you anything then fair enough. For me those 2 days plus the components cost would pay for a better system than he ended up with, with a 3yr nextday onsite warranty.

[Fulmar]

depends. if you are retired/unemployed/lots of spare time, and like building and fixing PCs then its most likely cheaper. someone posted their own build recently and stated a total of 2 days to spec/build it (which sounds about average). if those 2 days dont cost you anything then fair enough. For me those 2 days plus the components cost would pay for a better system than he ended up with, with a 3yr nextday onsite warranty.

Factory built has its advantages too, specifically if you need a new OS, the cost figured in for them is a bit cheaper than you building a machine and adding on an OS.  Generally speaking in the $500-$800 ranges.  Beyond that, the cost of parts you can save eventually make up for the difference.  Warranties are nice if you're not that comfortable doing your own service, but generally down time is longer if you have to take it somewhere to get serviced.

For laptops (above $800), I'm a fan of extended warranties from 2-3 years.  Getting replacement parts for bad motherboards etc can be quite expensive and hard.

[RTHolmes]

HP charge about £60 (~$40) for 3yr nexday onsite for desktops, its great (and faster) just having a guy turn up the next morning to fix it for you, just one incident in 3 years and its paid for itself

[TheZohan]

just built a new AMD 7750 X2 system . no bugs .. not even running the optimizer.. no issues