Intel Core i5 and i7 processors

I would like to beseech some of you who have knowledge about CPUs to help me figure some stuff out. I've been idly looking at new laptops lately as my current computer (a white Macbook) has been acting up and seems like it could die at any moment. I used to keep up with the various types of CPUs, but it used to be much simpler. It used to be that the clock speed was pretty much all you needed to determine how fast a CPU was. Now, with multiple cores and different kinds of technology in different CPUs it's really hard to tell exactly how fast a CPU is.

Example: at one point I was thinking about getting a PC as my next laptop, because it seemed to me that you could get a faster computer for less money as compared to Macs. I was considering something like this (though maybe in a smaller form-factor): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834115789

Just tonight I was looking around on the web and I realized that the newer Macbook Pros, though they are considerably more expensive than the one linked above, also have considerably faster processors - or so it would seem. For example, Apple makes a Macbook Pro with a 2.4Ghz Core i5 processor, whereas the one above is an 1.60Ghz Core i7 processor. Here is where I get confused. What is the clock speed actually referring to? The speed of one core (both of those processors have 4 cores, I believe), or what exactly? And is an i7 processor with a lower clock speed still faster than an i5 processor with a higher speed? What the hell does this shit mean?!

Also, I have been led to believe that the newer Core i5 and i7 processors are generally faster than similar AMD processors. Is that true? I am open to opinions of all kinds.

 

Yeah, it's confusing as hell. Had to go through this earlier this year and ended up getting an i5-430 laptop (2.26 Ghz per core, i5s are only dual core, BTW). Here's a link that could help you choose: http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Intel-Core-i3-i5-i7-Processors-Arrandale.25085.0.html Basically, the i7 with a low clock speed is not really the best choice, but whatever you do, don't get a Core 2 Duo anymore because they get outperformed by pretty much any i5.

 

Phyiscally, the Intel Core i7 processors come in Socket 1156 (same as i5) and Socket 1366 packaging, while the i5 come only in Socket 1156.

All Core i5 and i7 systems use DD3 memory, however the Socket 1156-based systems use dual channel memory (e.g., two memory modules must be installed at a time) only, while Socket 1366-based systems can use a triple channel (three memory modules must be installed) or dual channel memory configuration. Using triple channel increase memory bandwidth.

Core i5 chips have four cores with four threads. Core i7 chips have four cores with eight threads. This means that with HyperThreading enabled, you'll "see" four cores reported with an i5, and eight with an i7.

Socket 1156-based systems have one PCIe x16 slot or two x8 PCIe slots, while Socket 1366-based systems have two x16 or four x16 PCIe slots.

You might want to consider getting the least expensive Socket 1366-based Core i7 CPU, 6GB of ram (a kit of three 2GB modules) and an X58 chipset-based motherboard. That should give you a decent platform to use for the next three years, which should scale nicely should you want to add additional memory or use multiple video cards.

 

Some information from Intel:

http://www.intel.com/products/processor/index.htm?iid=proc_nav+home

So all of the i3 and i5 chips are dual cores with 2 threads, while the i7 has both dual core/4 thread and 4 core/8 thread types available? It's a bit confusing because the i3 and i5 descriptions specifically say Hyper Threading where the i7 does not. The "i7 Extreme Edition" does mention Hyper Threading.

 

Desktop: AMD bc intel is ditching both 1156 and 1366, so its a dead format/socket

Lappy: i7, theres no other choice...

 

They really are dumping 1156, they decided to change platform to the new LGA1155.

http://www.techpowerup.com/128466/Intel_2011_Core_Series_Desktop_Processor_Roadmap_Surfaces.html

 

They are releasing 1155, and its not compatible so you're SOL

The irony is that they arent changing laptop sockets, so if you buy a i7QM you'll be able to swap a newer one in the future.

AMD on the other hand plans to stay with AM3 for Bulldozer, which means that even a cheapo $99 mobo will be able to acommodate a 8-core nextgen CPU:clap:

And BTW, the new intel processors? those will be blocked, which means no overclocking at all...

I swear, if it wasnt because of the extortions to OEMs and their virtual monopoly, intel would be done for.

 

So what about my question - would it be better to get a cheap PC or a slightly more expensive Mac? Or maybe a more expensive PC? One of the advantages of getting a Mac is that I wouldn't have to convert any of my files or get used to using new programs (I would use Linux if I were to get a PC). Regardless of the processor, brand, etc. I need a laptop because I need my computer to be portable.

Another question: how do i7 processors compare to i5 processors, aside from having more threads? Does an i7 with a lower clock speed amount to a i5 with a higher clock speed? What's the calculus of this?

Some more information: I probably won't be doing much gaming on this machine, but I want it to be capable as far as playing and processing video.

 

Well I've been running on a 2.1ghz Core 2 duo Macbook for 2 years now and with the latest build of Snow Leopard backed up with 4GB ram it runs along just nicely and has no issues with anything (other than gaming). So if you pick up an i5 Mac then I can't see how you're ever going to run into any performance issues in the future as long as you don't intend on extreme video encoding. You can pretty much guarantee that Apple are unlikely to ever push the operating system over the capabilities of their hardware. I find with Macs that specs really don't matter to the average user.

 

Playing video, even 1080p, is a given regardless of which CPU you choose. For processing video, as in encoding or editing, you want the beefiest CPU you can afford. Here an i7 really will shine over an i3.

From personal experience I always preferred doing video editing in Windows, but a lot of people see it the other way around - it's down to what interface you're most comfortable with and what it is specifically that you need to do. If you don't really care and don't have any particular Mac-only requirements then you'll get a much more powerful Windows machine for the money.

 

There's probably a better answer that involves how the chips are constructed, but from what I've noticed by shopping around is that the Turbo Boost function puts the i7s at a higher clock speed than the i5s, even if the standard GHz rating is less on the i7. So you can get an i7 rated at 1.6 GHz that boosts up to 2.8 GHz or an i5 that's rated at 2.26 GHz that boosts up to 2.53 GHz.

I can't say I know a lot about Turbo Boosting or how much it can really be used, but I'm sure someone else will chime in if I'm off-target. Like I said there's probably some difference in performance with the chip architecture, but if you're like me it's hard to get around the fact that one number is simply bigger than the other number...heh.

 

It will work with AM3 alright, just that some features from AM3+ might not be available, just like you can put a AM3 cpu on a AM2 socket, but it wont support DDR3.

Get a PC, run OSX on it if you want.

I've some respect for apple laptops since the build quality is good, but desktops are a waste of money, cant be upgraded, and recently there was a whole batch of iMacs with POS screens installed, so no warranties on quality either.

If you need it for work (like twimfy does with iOS dev) go for it, else get a PC. You can get a i7 lappy for roughly half the price of a similar macbook.

However, if Macs were still using PPC we wouldnt be having this conversation, since you would be paying for custom hardware and not a repackaged PC