Adobe is likely to be the first to implement multi-threading for quad cores, so if you use Photoshop much, the quad is the way to go (although rumors I've heard is that full-quad support will require CS4 - but they're that - rumors; there may be an affordable upgrade for CS3 - which can utilize quad-core).
Adobe is one of the very few companies which has actually implemented multi-core support, AFAIK.
If you want to be on the "bleeding edge", the Q9450 on an X48 mobo (DDR3 RAM)would be the way to go, and the longest delay to obsolescence (maybe as much as 3 months ). Note that the Q9300/9450 and E8500/8400 are spec'd to run with 1333 FSB, and DDR2 would be tough to bump that high.
I'm facing the same choice before too long, as I'm slowly accumulating parts to replace my 5 year old PC...mobo, processer, heatsink, and RAM are the final choices, and I'm gravitating towards an X48 mobo, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, and the E8500 (maybe the E8400) - as I intend to overclock (as I've always done).
In any event, I'd also recommend an aftermarket HSF - the excellent Zalman CNPS 9700 LED is on sale at NewEgg, here for ~$54.00.
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Re: Dual-Core or Quad-Core?
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). Note that the Q9300/9450 and E8500/8400 are spec'd to run with 1333 FSB, and DDR2 would be tough to bump that high.
