[Overcome]

I've looked all over the internet and I'm getting mixed answers.

Would a 2.9ghz i7 dual be faster or slower than a 2.1 ghz quad, under what circumstances would I benefit from the dual, and which the quad?

Thanks

[archangel.dmitry]

That all depends on application and software. If software relies heavily on number of cores then more cores is better. Such software usually includes but not limited to video editing and some scientific applications. If you are planning to use it for gaming, double core with higher clock would be more beneficial due to optimization for dual core processors. But that might change with release of new games.

I would say that quad core is more future proof, but dual core will deliver in some situation more at present time. Not sure if it is going to change that dramatically.

Once exception would be if you are a programmer and write software for multicore systems. Then you should definitely get quad core.

[Overcome]

I'm not going to be doing anything as intense as video editing, I will most likely be using the internet/ wow and word etc

[archangel.dmitry]

I think double core CPU will suffice for you. But if the price is same or close get quad. If difference is significant get dual core.

[datguy.dev]

Not sure, but aren't all the dual core i7s' tied to a mobile device? (HQ,M,U etc.) I don't know if that is the type of device your shopping for but it might impact your options. It does affect your decision though as you may or may not be able to upgrade the CPU in the future.

I think it's truly up to you in this situation. I don't even know why you'd go with a more costly i7 with such light usage requirements like running Word etc. i5s are nice for business computers. Overall, I think the dual core would be more than enough for you.

[Malicious Intent]

type two models of cpu and keyword benchmark in google search .. there is couple of sites out there that will let you compare all the pros and cons of both.. these benchmark sites are fairly reliable.

[Hopsin]

It really depends on what you need to do. I would personally go with quad.