Geez, now that makes sense. Fliipin acronyms drive me crazy. Thanks for clearing that up. I read an article on Wikipedia about Athlons and corresponding Intels, so I'm now more up to speed on the generations of CPUs (sorta, I think) Just to confirm though: Pentium D is/was also "Dual-CPU". correct?

It's been a while since I've upgraded and even longer since I've used an Intel cpu in my system. I have no clue what the generational map is for Intel CPUs I have seen that intel has Socket 478 Socket 479 Socket 603, Socket 604 Socket 775 Any others? What is the latest and say 2nd lastest of this bu...

mx-5

What is C2D? You said above that it was "better". Is it a new cpu type? or a chipset or what? If a CPU, is it AMD or Intel?

jaganath, Can a user assign certain apps and/or processes to a core? Or does the OS just shuffle them by itself as it sees fit? I was thinking if possible I would assign one-core dedicated to ripping duties and the other core to all the other apps I wanted to run. Can that be done? If so, sign me up...

jackylman Thanks for your specific answers. I think the CPU you suggested will be good if I can find at 65W version here in Canada (BTW: NewEgg won't ship to Canada at all for some damn reason). But I do have access to a reasonably good supplier in Vancouver (NCIX.com) RE: EAC ripping. Yes, Yes and ...

Its a no-brainer to find cheapest prices on dual-core, what I need is suggestions on mobos that will run cool and QUIET and an answer about whether or not Dual-core will solve my EAC ripping woes. If dual-core won't do anything to give me a more available system while ripping, then the extra expense...

I am getting a headache trying to figure out what I should buy for non-gamers system build. Many of these forums are dominated my Gamers & Overclockers talking about volts, capasitors and whatever else that's over my head. I don't need any of that, just some simple advise on a 64-bit mobo+CPU that w...