Dual core w/HT vs quad core no HT
 

So I have an i3 2105 which is dual core with hyper-threading and I'm thinking about getting an i5 3350P quad core with no HT. They're both 3.1 Ghz and both process 4 threads.

The quad are going to be faster won't it?

What uses hyper-threading?

Which is going to run your applications faster all depends on the applications that you are going to be running. :) Some apps are written to take advantage of hyperthreading and some are not. The same thing goes for multiple core processors.

Given the direction things are going, I would choose the quad core given everything else is equal, since less software is written to take advantage of hyperthreading than quad core processors. Ideally you would want both, but I believe the combination of both is only available with the more expensive i7's.

Which applications do you run?

I browse the net, download and play games but not those big games that are popular.

I don't think I need it but I never had a quad core and I'd like to experience one.

By the way I bought the cheapest i3 and now looking at the cheapest i5 which do not have the Intel HD graphics enabled (have video card) and the price looks good. Maybe I can get some kind of discounts from Newegg in due time.