Once again I'm behind the times!

[kendellrt]

Ok, I have looked for info from Intel and Google, but I'd like some explanation from those that I trust -- you! Will someone give me the basic rundown on the difference between the Core i3, i5 and i7 processors? I have been using Macs exclusively at school for a few months and haven't had time to read up on new tech or post much here. Now I am getting into programming classes that are Win based and I probably won't be using the Mac OS for school anymore. I may just use Win 7 through BootCamp or Parallels on the MacBook I have right now, but I'm also thinking of picking up a Win7 based laptop to use just for school. I'd like info on the benefits of each CPU.

[Locutus]

Intel i3 are dual core CPUs with Hyper Threading (4 logical cores, 2 physical)

Intel i5 are also dual core CPUs with Hyper Threading

Intel i7 Are Quad core CPUs with Hyper Threading (8 logical cores, 4 physical.)

 

The difference between the i5 and i3 are just speeds and maybe some compatibility (I'm not sure.)

EDIT: The main draw of the i7 is that it supports triple-channel memory. The i3 and i5 do not.

 

Anything else, check the links.

Edited May 5, 2010 by Locutus

[CowKing]

Intel i3 are dual core CPUs with Hyper Threading (4 logical cores, 2 physical)

Intel i5 are also dual core CPUs with Hyper Threading

Intel i7 Are Quad core CPUs with Hyper Threading (8 logical cores, 4 physical.)

 

The difference between the i5 and i3 are just speeds and maybe some compatibility (I'm not sure.)

EDIT: The main draw of the i7 is that it supports triple-channel memory. The i3 and i5 do not.

 

Anything else, check the links.

almost the i5 750 is a quad core, but the i5 660 and 661(<--has a better onboard GFX) are dual cores with hyperthreading

[ccokeman]

Intel i3 are dual core CPUs with Hyper Threading (4 logical cores, 2 physical)

Intel i5 are also dual core CPUs with Hyper Threading

Intel i7 Are Quad core CPUs with Hyper Threading (8 logical cores, 4 physical.)

 

The difference between the i5 and i3 are just speeds and maybe some compatibility (I'm not sure.)

EDIT: The main draw of the i7 is that it supports triple-channel memory. The i3 and i5 do not.

 

Anything else, check the links.

 

 

The hierarchy is not that cut and dry as there is an i5 Quad core in the i5 750 and you have both socket 1156 and socket 1366 Core i7 Processors with the prior supporting only dual channel and the latter supporting tri channel memory configurations.

 

The 661 includes Intels latest 45nm graphics processor on the CPU.

[kendellrt]

Do I understand correctly that this new gen of CPUs has onboard graphics on the chip itself? I know that this was something that has been talked about.