How can I estimate what CPU I should buy?

[Wai_Wai]

How can I estimate what CPU I should buy?
It appears the technology of CPU has been improved dramatically during recent ages. I have a feeling CPU is overkilling nowadays. Perhaps even a budget CPU can still be able to handle most uses.

1. How can I know how fast CPU I want? I don't want some generic descriptions (eg Core 2 Duo is a mainstream CPU. Buy it if you need a moderately good CPU). I need more specifics. Is there any resources/tools which teach/help us to estimate the CPU usage so as to pick the right CPU of a particular performance benchmark.

BTW, CPU 2007 benchmark: http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html


2. If the above info is unavailable, let me try to explain my needs. Hopefully you can pick a right one.

Compression and Decompression: I also do a lot of compression with different utilities (eg WinRAR, 7-zip). I sometimes compare different compressions so as to pick the best compressed file in a reasonable time.

Data Analysis: I want to run some data mining and analysis software, statistics software.

Gaming. I don't play games much. But I want my computer to be able to run the game smoothly when I play. I will run 3D games (as long as the graphics are displayed up to the standard, it is ok)

Audio editing: I would edit some sound files (eg make it louder, remove the noise, mix and match 2 music). The edit is simple and light. I need to batch convert files of one media to another once in a while (eg from wav to mp3)

Video editing: Seldom edit video but I need to convert video occasionally (eg AVI to DVD; DVD to AVI).

Image editing: No heavy editing but I will edit images with programs like GIMP 2. Also I will batch convert one format to another occasionally (eg from jpg to png)


3. I realise the motherboard and RAM must match the CPU to maximise the full power of CPU. Do you want what I need to notice so I ca get the best combinations of CPU + RAM + motherboard?

Regarding CPU <-> RAM, one thing I think I need to concern is FSB. If the FSB and DDR RAM speed doesn't match well, there is performance hit, isn't it? How can I know whether they match?

Regarding motherboard, I think the only concern is whether the motherboard support this CPU, and the compatibility issues (if any). Is there anything else I need to consider too?


Thanks a lot.