When buying a cpu for the latest software what is important?

Alfred: When buying a cpu for the latest software what is important?
I like using software such as photoshop, maya, and video editors but when shopping for a new cpu what should I be more concerned with? Processor with high GHz? I plan on buying a dual-core and not a quadcore.

Answers and Views:

Answer by Mercuri
Well, the number of cores is probably a pretty important thing to consider. Then the actual architechure of the CPU. The GHz isn’t that important nowadays (Compare a Pentium 4 @ 3.0GHz to a Core 2 Quad @ 2.4GHz, and the Core 2 Quad is easily 8 times faster)

Answer by Fordry
I would highly recommend getting a quad if you are doing high end processing stuff like that. Quads are getting cheaper and you will get much better performance from them. A quad that runs at a lower Ghz will be faster than a high speed dual core for any of that stuff. Want lots of ram too.

Answer by Ryan
Use Quad with high Cache memory
if you can afford use Core i series.