Number of CPU cores or threads required for basic browsing + basic microsoft word + antivirus/malwarebyte all at the same time

[LinComp]

1) How many CPU cores or threads are used if i keep say about 3 pages of yahoo open along with 1 page of microsoft word, all running at the same time (total 4 activities running at the same time) ?

2) How many CPU cores or threads are used if i keep the above mentioned 4 pages open along with an antivirus like avg or norton or avast, or a malwarebyte, all running at the same time (total 5 activities running at the same time)?

 

[Matsushima]

A dual-core or triple core will be adequate for those tasks. There are hundreds of threads running at a given time.

 

[ksham]

A single core is enough to run that. I'm not recommending that you get a single-core CPU.

 

[Matsushima]

There aren't any single core processors around anymore except the Sempron 145 and the Celeron G4xx. You should not get a single core though. They are becoming old technology. I really recommend getting at least a dual-core processor.

However, I experienced no problems web browsing and with antivirus programs running in the background on my 2.4GHz Northwood Pentum 4.

 

[LinComp]

Thank you all very much!

 

[ksham]

There aren't any single core processors around anymore except the Sempron 145 and the Celeron G4xx. You should not get a single core though. They are becoming old technology. I really recommend getting at least a dual-core processor.

However, I experienced no problems web browsing and with antivirus programs running in the background on my 2.4GHz Northwood Pentum 4.

That wasn't the OP's question. OP didn't mention that he/she plans to buy a CPU to handle those task. Why build a computer for that anyway? Just get a cheap netbook. It doesn't change the fact that a single core can handle all those tasks.

 

[Matsushima]

Probably any modern processor after 2008 will be able to run those tasks. And ksham, I was never implying that the OP should buy a CPU. I wasn't intending to change anything either. It is resolved now so I will say nothing more.

 

[ksham]

Oh sorry. I thought you implied that by saying "There aren't any single core processors around anymore .... You should not get a single core though."