cpu for basic user?

[jack99999]

will a dual core suffice for a person who just surfs and uses office software?

 

[jack99999]

and is am3 + backward compatible with all am2 cpus?

 

[cube_]

Definitely. If all you plan to do is surf and use Office apps you'll be fine. No heavy processing required. And do you mean a motherboard which is backwards compatible with AM3/AM2?

 

[jack99999]

yeah, is an am3+ motherboard backward compatible with an am3 cpu? and are the heat sink mounting options the same?

 

[cube_]

Well there's more than one answer to your question. Not all AM3+ motherboards are backwards compatible with socket AM3 cpu's. It depends on the manufacturer's specs. The same goes for the heatsink. All the details about compatibility are listed in it's specs.