Many people don’t know the difference between Core i7, Core 2 Extreme, Core 2 Quad, Core 2 Duo, Dual core and Pentium D processors. You can call this a processor buying guide. So lets understand this in detail.
Core 2 Quad is a 4 core processor unlike Dual core which has 2 cores. Core 2 Duo, Dual core and Pentium D, all are dual core processors only. Cores are also called processing cores. Like Pentium 4 is a single core processor. Ofcourse performance of Core 2 Quad is the best compared to all dual core processors. Some Core 2 Quad models also have 12 MB of L2 cache, runs on 3 GHz and 1333 MHz FSB. Now this is what we call a great performance. I am talking here about Q9650 processor.
Some Core 2 Duo processors also have upto 6 MB L2 Cache and 1333 MHz FSB. Core 2 Duo are also dual cores or you can say they have two cores. These are based on 65 nm and 45 nm manufacturing process. A real value for money Core 2 Duo is E7200/E7300. Read on this article.
Now lets talk about Core 2 Extreme and Core i7. Core 2 Extreme has 12 MB L2 cache, runs on 3.2 GHz and has FSB of 1600 MHz. These specs are of QX9775, which is based on 45 nm manufacturing process. Core i7 is the latest processor. In simple terms, the best performer till now. Yes I mean the best performer in the whole processor family till now. Call it Core i7 or Nehalem, if you have some extra bucks then definitely go for this. Keep in mind that motherboard for Core i7 is also very expensive. If you are going to buy this then consider the overall cost of Processor, Motherboard and RAM. RAM used in this Motherboard for Core i7 is DDR3. So RAM is also expensive for now. But if you just forget the cost of owning this beast/beauty then its a real winner in performance. Learn more about Core i7 here. Nowadays Core i7 Extreme Edition is also released, model number i7 – 965. It runs on 3.20 GHz & has 8 MB cache size. Core i7 Extreme Edition is the fastest performing processor on the planet.
Lets arrange these processors in ascending order of their performance. I mean the best performer first and the lesser the second and it goes like this.
Core i7 Extreme Edition
Core i7
Core 2 Extreme
Core 2 Quad
Core 2 Duo
Dual Core
Pentium D
For now if you want something low on budget and a real value for money then you can go for Intel Dual Core E2180. I have done these processor comparison by keeping only Intel in mind. Whatever you buy, buy it by keeping the purpose of usage in mind and some of these processors also run hot and then comes over-heating problems. So consider all these aspects before buying.
More info AMD processors coming soon as AMD processors have a different naming scheme.
nil says
hi there. I think you people have forgotten the new win 7 os. It is now gaining heavy popularity and as i have seen its the fastest and also very convienint to use. Also linux and mac os dont support many softwares. And windows is the maximum used os all over the world.
eddy says
jim, i think ur getting a little carried away there, linux is by far the best os, that resolution is impractical, windows aero???, and apple stuff is wayy overrated and overpriced
Saqib says
ok, let’s not debate about which OS is the best :)
nitish says
ya now i understand the diff b/t core i7 core 2 duo
their is nice knowledge abt it
jim says
go for mac it works the best with core i7 i mean they actullly design there operating system and software specifically to take advantage of the four cores of the chip effeciently and effectively. I mean yes microsoft are still strugling trying to get there heads around desiging there ever aging and tardy software (I mean windows has not improved much at all over the last 8 years compared to apple, a new theme or start menu thats it WOW how awesome, I MEAN COME ON MICROSOFT!!)) Recognize apple please and follow some common sense in design and simplicity to be effecient, go core i7 and especially the new iMac 27inch with core i7 now theres beautiful enginering in all respects to being a definitive system with core i7 and what a screen!!!!! I mean go to the shops tomorrow and tell me where i can buy a screen with resolution 1660×2560, there is nothing else like it out there, that’s right yes apple have really redisigned a breakthough computer and then some. Go the future of processors starting with i7, cant wait to see what they create next. Remember the day pentium 3 came out and everyones like wow 450mhz!!! Lol this new chip IS unreal though!
Nish says
good article. i little bias on quad cores over duals thought. e8500 and e8600 perform very well and are comparable to quads.
Saqib says
See, ofcourse lower end Quad cores can’t be compared to higher end Dual Cores. Like if we compare Q6600 and E8600, and if your purpose is to play games, then you should buy E8600 and if you mostly run Windows programs, then you should buy Q6600. But there are not many software’s that take advantage of all 4 cores. Choice of selecting the processor will depend on your budget and your purpose.
comp@ddict says
Yep, I mean 600$ for mobo+cpu, WTH!! indeed, much better and cheaper option is the Phenom II + 790GX AM2+ mobo, comes for some 300$, that’s half of Core i7, but just at the worst 10-15% slower.
Rodger says
Nice, a very good article. The minus point of Core i7 is its price, otherwise its good. Or u can call it the best.
comp@ddict says
Till now though, the Pentium Brand has been the most well received, appreciated and bought according to fudzilla.