Processor Comparisons
Intel Core i3 vs Core i5 vs Core i7 – The Difference
Intel Core i7 vs Intel Core 2 Duo – The Difference
Intel Core i5 vs Intel Core 2 Duo – The Difference
Intel Core i3 vs Intel Core 2 Duo – The Difference
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Intel Core i5 vs Core 2 Duo Comparison- The Difference
This post explains the Difference Between Intel Core i5 and the Core 2 Duo processors.
The Intel Core i5 series is based on two architectures:
1. Westmere (Core i5 6xx – Clarkdale – 32 nm – Dual Core)
2. Nehalem (Core i5 7xx – Lynnfield – 45 nm – Quad core)
Intel Core 2 Duo
Codenamed: Conroe, Allendale, Wolfdale – Core 2
Fabrication: 65 nm / 45 nm
Instruction set: X86, X86-64, MMX, SSE 4.1
Socket: LGA 775
Bus: 1333 MHz FSB
RAM: DDR2
Chipset Support: 965, P3x, G3x, P45, X48
Intel Core i5
Codenamed: Lynnfield, Clarkdale
Fabrication: 45 nm, 32 nm
Instruction set: X86, X86-64, MMX, SSE 4.2
Socket: LGA 1156
Bus: Direct Media Interface
RAM: DDR3
Chipset Support: P55, H55, H57, Q57
LGA 1156, Direct Media Interface, Smart Cache
Like the Intel Core i3 processors, The Core i5 are also native dual cores; they have both processors on the same die which leads to better processing speeds. The quadcore Core i5 processors are native Quad cores – 4 processors on the same die – much faster than two dual cores stitched together. While the Intel Core 2 Duo processors work on the LGA 775 socket, the new Core i3 and Core i5 processors use the LGA 1156 socket and support motherboards based on the following chipsets - P55, H55, H57, Q57.
All the Core i5 processors sport the DMI (Direct Media Interface) which is much faster than the FSB used in Core 2 Duo processors but is not as fast as Quick Path Interconnect in the Core i7. They also have a on die memory controller which helps in much faster memory access than the Core 2 Duo processors. They also support Smart Cache which allows cache memory sharing between the two cores reducing memory latencies.
Difference between dualcore Core i5 and quadcore Core i5 Processors
Like the Core i3 processors, the dualcore Core i5 processors also have a 32 nm fabrication, they are much more power efficient and run faster than Core 2 Duo processors which have a 65 / 45 nm fabrication. There are 5 dual core Core i5 processors (Core i5 6xx) with clock speeds ranging from (Core i5 650) 3.2 GHz to (Core i5 680) 3.6 GHz. They have 2×256 KB L2 cache and 4 MB L3 cache. They also have an on die graphics processor for better graphics performance like the Core i3 series. They also support Hyperthreading enabling 2×2=4 virtual cores.
The quadcore Core i5 processors (Core i5 7xx) have a 45 nm fabrication, and like the Core i7 processors, are based on the Nehalem architecture. There are 2 of them – Core i5 750 (2.66 GHz) and Core i5 750S (2.4 GHz). They have 4 x 256 KB L2 cache and 8 MB L3 cache. They don’t have an on die graphics processor. Also, Hyperthreading is disabled in quadcore Core i5s.
The Core i5 processors are meant for those who need more power than Core i3 processors. The Core i5 650 offers excellent value for money in a gaming rig.
Dual Core Intel Core i5 Prices
Core i5 650 – $176
Core i5 660 – $196
Core i5 661 – $196
Core i5 670 – $284
Core i5 680 – $294
Quad Core Intel Core i5 Prices
Core i5 750 – $196
Core i5 750S – $259
May 16th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
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June 14th, 2010 at 12:33 am
mwahaha
September 14th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
Great review. I was looking for a MacBook Pro. Now I know the difference between the new and the old version.
November 6th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Thanks I was confused about this…now I know…
November 11th, 2010 at 3:09 am
very good article and information which will help to clear doubts in choosing the right processor
November 13th, 2010 at 7:19 am
Nice info! I was looking for a Mac Book Pro And was wondering which one was better for me(i5, definitely). Thanks!
November 27th, 2010 at 8:29 am
Thanks for the explanation, i’ve been shopping for a notebook to take on my trip to Las Vegas and this explanation will help me purchase the right product for my Vegas vacation
December 12th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
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December 19th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
Excellent clarification
but can you give a more deeper insight between dell ad ibm workstations
December 29th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
hi pathik,
i need a pc for my office work . i cant decide between these 3 choices .i5 dual core or i5 quad core or i7 quad core. can u please help.
thanks
December 29th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
For normal office work, even an entry level i3 (Core i3 540) with 2-4 GB RAM should be enough.
January 3rd, 2011 at 2:39 am
Thanks mate
January 3rd, 2011 at 2:39 am
@Pathik
Thanks Mate
January 6th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
Hi pathik ,
wat abt AMD ? the earlier one which i had died after 6 years … phenom seems to be a good option also .. can you between X2 , X4 n X 6..
January 7th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
I really need ur advice…I am thoroughly confused!
Which laptop would be good for engineering students?
Thinking of i5 configuration but where does Intel core duo 2 stands?
Also which company…
In short, I am clueless!!!!!!!!!!!
January 7th, 2011 at 7:20 pm
I would recommend a Dell Inspiron 15 or a Studio 15. Get a base version with a Core i3 or Core i5 and 4 GB RAM, they start at about $500.
January 16th, 2011 at 8:25 am
i was wondering if you whether i5 is good for someone that does computer graphics and design as a career (website design, vector illustration,photo editing, video editing, and 3D design/renders). also would i need i5 or would i be ok with a Intel Core 2 Duo? I’m shopping for a new laptop for those purposes mentioned and I’d greatly appreciate it if you could give me a answer or some advice.
February 9th, 2011 at 4:31 am
I want to do my recording of music on a macbook pro running protools software. Would I be ok with core 2 duo 2.66 or better with i5 or something
May 24th, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Hi Pathik, I’m trying to install Parallels Desktop in my MacBook Pro (intel core i5) and as soon as the installation begins a window pops-up and says that my computer is not an intel-based mac.. How come?
Thank you so much!!
June 14th, 2011 at 4:07 am
Would you remove the comment about “i3 vs core 2 duo « htna’s blog Says:”? I do not want that a bot visits my blog. Thank you.
October 27th, 2011 at 1:00 am
Would you recommend upgrading my processor (and MB) from a Intel Core 2 Duo to an Intel i5 Quad?
December 20th, 2011 at 6:34 am
This is totally great. Thankyou for creating this offered
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