Dual-core chips and AntiVirus/AntiSpyware/Backup Apps

currently a true SMP system will smash dual core, and I believe it always will, it's just that dual core makes it cheaper (which would you rather pay, $900 for a CPU and $100 for a board, or $750x2 for CPU's and $400 for a board?)

aside the fact that 16-way will be possible (8 2cored opeterons) which will provide a huge benefit for servers and clusters where space becomes an issue

but in short, yes, dual core will provide an advantage for this
but a moderatly fast single core chip can handle that fine
my 2GHZ P4 can handle running NSW 2k3 and NPF 2k3, along with Spybot, and IM clients plus Firefox and music
it's not as quick as my AthlonXP
but it's also about 3 years older

but if you have something like a 766MHZ Celeron
yeah, I could see how performance could be an issue

another issue you might have is low RAM
if you only have 128MB or 256MB of RAM, and are running an OS such as Windows 2000, Windows XP or Red Hat 9
you will have some performance issues when multi-tasking
when you increase that to 512MB it's fine

But I only ran NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 on our dual SMP CPU systems. What true SMP system are you writing about? And did you own and use such?

I've found most dual (or more) CPU naysayers never lived with them.

Bob

from most benchmarks with current dual core chips, like Smithfield, a dual Nocona or dual Irwindale usually comes out on top, but considering the price differential, and the fact that most dual 604 boards require more power, and more space, it's not a bad deal

It was fantastic to own and use such a machine. It's much like the luxury version of a car. Yup, you can get by with much less and the same discussion occurs when you have the top end model.

Bob