PC CPUs and cores

[Sal1950]

As a custodian to a range of computers of all ages, I can tell you that a Core 2 Duo is no longer very much fun to use in this day and age even with an SSD and on Windows 7

My ole 2008 built, intel core-2-quad-q9550 was still running fairly well using Linux until a stroke of lightning took it out last summer, but I was having major issues serving 4k video to my HT.
With all this talk of 13 gen failures I'm glad I pinched a few pennies last year when I built my new box and went with a 12th gen i7-12700K (12core 8P-4E). I put about the biggest passive cpu cooler on it I could (DeepCool AK500 High-Performance CPU Cooler). With 64g of DDR5 5600 memory this guy is a snappy as I could ask for my needs. I don't game but do a lot of messing about with high res multich audio and video files.
I hope I get another decade or more from this guy, trying to wrap my head around purchase decisions about the latest tech was no fun this time around. Guess I'm gettin too old for this stuff. LOL

 

[Digby]

You should scratch your upgrade fix with a nice office chair or a monitor instead of upgrading a perfectly adequate computer

I'm thinking a standing desk might do the trick, know anything about these? I don't know whether the try a cheaper one first or go straight to something more expensive...

 

[TonyJZX]

i think if you look at the low end you will get an idea of what the 'minimum' is

like AMD Ryzen 3 and Intel i3 says quad core in the 'minimum' - i would agree with this

i personally dont see a huge need for 6-8 cores for most people

if you need it, you will know and you will spec a pc accordingly

if you dont know, then a $100 quad core cpu should be fine

like realistically a quad core with say 16gb in win10 - do people need more for avg. uses?

if you're into games and say hard core processing like video output then yeah, spend appropriately