I5 or I7

Thanks that is the kind of info I need. I have to admit I have got a wee bit behind on which processor is which. Have most of the bugs been worked out of Windows 7 yet, and what can I expect from it compared to XP.

I am sorta advanced beginner, and I like Windows 7. Have been running it ever since the Release Candidate versions. The first release was better than Vista ever was and the version they released for sale to public had a lot less "bugs" than XP did when it came out. Some older hardware that worked on XP may have problems, but if it works with VISTA, usually no problem.
I don't know just how to compare it to XP, except to expect some learning curve. I repeat, by the time I ran W7 6 month, I liked it better than XP.

Would you all buy Dell or have a machine built locally? I see they offer a scaled down MS Office for free. I only use Word and Excel.

Home work time....compare Dell/price and local/price.

I have a Dell I5/750.....works fine.

I bought it because a local merchant was having a sale.

Seems Dell was changing the model number.

Same product....different name.

The merchant was clearing their shelves.

If you go with Dell....you get a pkg plus a few options.

If you go local.....you can build exactly what you want.

Your call.....compromise.....bang for the buck.

Bang, I seem to be bouncing between the I5 750 and the I7 860.

Looks like it's an extra 90 bucks.

If it's in the budget......go for it.

Just an opinion based on the 750 I'm looking at.

After watching perf numbers for the past few months....I doubt Joe Average will ever seriously stress this cpu.

This machine came with 6 GB of ram.

I doubt that Joe will ever have a need for that kind of ram.

You may not be Joe Average.........

Chances are that if you are looking at an i5 or i7 that you are about to make a significant purchase. On the surface, the answer seems simple enough. Since any new technology that you buy today is obsolete by the time you open the box, it is best to by the most advanced you can afford. There are a couple of caveats to that answer however. If the cost is significantly less, you may opt for the "dumbed down" version. You may not need the advanced model but chances are that you will sooner than you think. The other thing to consider is the length of time you intend to use your new purchase as your primary technology. If you update within 2-3 years, there is not much reason to pay the extra. Beyond 2-3 years, "the better, the better." Getting the latest and best will probably keep you satisfied for the next (perhaps) 5 years.

If you buy something at half the cost but replace it twice as fast, you are pretty much at a wash. If cost is your main motivator, the best bang for your buck is year old technology. You can employ the "get it cheap, use it for a year, get a new cheap one" strategy.

If performance is what you are looking for, buy the best and enjoy it for as long as you can.

One last note: If you are just looking to play solitaire, buy a deck of cards.

Now some guys half got me talked into building my own machine. I understand Sandy Bridge will not come with a big bump in price.