[parttimetechie]

What is so special about these cores? I see that they are 2.5Ghz, but the Pent 2.2 Dual Core I have isn't that much higher, so why are these things so freaking expensive?

[BG-0]

They're more expensive because they perform at least that much better. I haven't looked into the architecture changes as I wouldn't understand it anyways, but they're something like 500% more effective clock per clock. That's all I need to know... Pentium Ds aren't worth buying today, Phenom IIs and Intel Core i7/i5 are.

[Courtneyc]

i7s are quad core processors that are hyperthreaded. That is, to Windows, for example, i7s look to Windows, like 8 processors on your system. These CPUs are awesome at multi-core programs and get even better with Windows 7. Even with programs that aren't written for multi-cores, you can still run multiple programs at the same time without any noticeable decrease in performance.

The prices of the i7s and i5s are worth it.

Courtney

[parttimetechie]

So what is a Core 2 Duo vs an i7 then? An i7 has eight cores, while a Core 2 Duo only has two? Am I understanding that right? What does hyperthreading do exactly?

[parttimetechie]

Is there any site that can tell me the "speed" of different chips? I know chips are rated in Ghz but I am wondering where the break comes when you "need" a i5 or i7 core vs say just a dual or even a quad core.

Thanks

[Mumbodog]

Hyperthreading is the ability of the core to process two data threads at the same time, a method of imitating another core, but not near as good.

i5s and i7s outperform dual cores and quad cores.

Ghz does not mean as much as it used to, architecture of the processor means everthing these days.

Toms hardware is a good site for research

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/Components,1/CPU,1/


.

[Ecf1]

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

I nearly passed out from joy when I found this site. It makes it so I don't have to ask about CPUs anymore.

Dual cores are a waste of money now. If you are looking to upgrade, go with a core 2 quad, i5 or an i7.

Amd wise, you're on your own.

I found a hyperthreading video on tomshardware
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...e-i5,2410.html

[BruinBeer]

Dualcores is not actually a waste of money. . . Like mine, its a AMD Phenom II X2 550 BE. And the thing of my cpu that I like the most(and use the most) is the unlocked clock multiplier. So whenever I want, I activate the other two cores and whooooosh, I have a 3.1ghz Quadcore for the price of a dualcore
Posted via Mobile Device

[parttimetechie]

Originally Posted by Ecf1

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

I nearly passed out from joy when I found this site. It makes it so I don't have to ask about CPUs anymore.

Dual cores are a waste of money now. If you are looking to upgrade, go with a core 2 quad, i5 or an i7.

Amd wise, you're on your own.

I found a hyperthreading video on tomshardware
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...e-i5,2410.html

How do you make sense of the site you found? What does it mean going across the bottom?