is i7 too much for a non gamer?

[pensfan2010]

Hey guys going to get my first iMac and need suggestions. I decided to get 27" but not sure if I need i3, i5 or i7. To list down what I do the most is

*I never play games
*iMovie video editing, may be a 10-15min HD file, can live with extra time it takes to render
*Photoshop CS3, small graphic editing nothing large
*Eclipse and XCode.
*External 24" monitor will be connected

Based on these information will i3 just do great? I don't need extra vram all I need is the power to handle my external monitor for regular stuffs. Can you guys please suggest,

 

[archer75]

I can tell you it will help with video encoding which will max out any processor. I don't know that it will be beneficial for your other tasks though.

 

[alust2013]

You could use an i3 for that, and it would work just fine. You'd see a bit faster times for encoding with the i5 and i7, but it just depends on if that's worth it to you.

 

[shenfrey]

I'm using 2009 C2D and I am not a non-gamer and let me tell, its like lightening. Not a single slowdown and picks open almost instantly. Not tried encoding though, I am just an average movie/music listener and a browsing guy, so even a P4 would of been a screamer lol