pc processor specs new vs old

[Soundguy]

no, each chip "family" (i3, i5, i7) comes in different speeds. There is usually a 4 digit number after the processor and that will indicate speed, but you will have to look it up. ie.. i5 5587 (or something, I can't remember the numbers)

thanks.. that at least gives me a place to look. some of these places don';t list the actual proc speed.. but with some searching zi should now be able to find it.

 

[mikehaugen]

for reference, I have an I5-3470, it is 3.2ghz 6mb cache (I just went and checked)

 

[/pine]

i remember in the not so long ago days.. when you looked at a pc processor spec.. it would be like pentium 4, 3 ghz etc. or AMD athlon 1.3 ghz.. etc.

Nowadays.. you go look and you see I3 , I5, or I7, and no speed specs.

Wife is looking for a laptop to run some music software and hardware.. and the software is giving us speed specs it wants. IE.. 2.67ghz processor.. 7200rpm hdd.. etc...

IWhy is no one publishingthe speed specs on the id tags on the machine boxes? ( this was at a best buy ) . I just walked thru at lunch yesterday to look.. etc.

The majority of users don't really care about processor specs...What "most" users want is RAM so they can multi-task....unless you're compiling code or editing a lot of video etc. (heavy processor consumption)....most users would not know the difference...

 

[MossRoad]

Here's a pretty good explanation of the i3, 5, 7...
Haswell Core i3 vs. i5 vs. i7 - Which is right for you? - Puget Custom Computers

 

[330T]

With out getting to technical, the software will run on any of the Core Ix processors.

The biggest thing to remember when buying is the newest generation of Core iX processors are Gen4 and will have a part number like i3-4xxx, i5-4xxx, i7-4xxx and Gen3 will have i3-3xxx, i5-3xxx, and i7-3xxx

Try to stick with a Gen3 or 4 processor. Also dont skimp on the RAM, minimum you want is going to be 4GB try to get 8GB if you are doing any audio editing.

 

[IXLR8]

a question on the cores though.

say you only have 1 thread.. and that thread ( or program ) wants a 2.67ghz speed.

what if you have a 2 or 4 core machine that is say.. 2.5ghz.

the other 1-3 cores.. do thay help with the 1 thread running... or would that 1 thread still be seeing only the 2.5 and thus not meet minimum specs?

The Operating System will typically use all cores in a multi core unit, so all will share some of the load. If the software you are using was written for a multi core processor, then it will be shared more efficiently. DeepNDirt did a good job of explaining what is happening, it can all be very confusing. I work for Intel and I can't keep all their nomenclature straight! An i5 or faster processor will do all you need. For doing Audio an i5 should be all you need, push it to an i7 if you are doing Video work. Then add in the confusion on HDD with a solid state drive, they don't spin so you don't get any RPM rating!!?? But they often have faster data transfer than a standard HDD, unless you want to pay for the new Helium filled HDD's.
Are you totally confused now?

 

[Soundguy]

for reference, I have an I5-3470, it is 3.2ghz 6mb cache (I just went and checked)

.2 at's very respectable...

 

[Soundguy]

Here's a pretty good explanation of the i3, 5, 7...
Haswell Core i3 vs. i5 vs. i7 - Which is right for you? - Puget Custom Computers

well.. that did answer some questions. since this will be a mobile platform.. I'l either need the very fastest o f the I5 since they top out at 2.8 Or i will need an I7... ( starting at 2.7 and go up.. etc.. ) the software i am going to use will require 2.67ghz

 

[Soundguy]

YEP.. IT'S SAD..

I remember back in the day i was good with computers. back.. right up until the pentiums came out..

actually.. good info. looks like I need a high end I5 or any I7...

The Operating System will typically use all cores in a multi core unit, so all will share some of the load. If the software you are using was written for a multi core processor, then it will be shared more efficiently. DeepNDirt did a good job of explaining what is happening, it can all be very confusing. I work for Intel and I can't keep all their nomenclature straight! An i5 or faster processor will do all you need. For doing Audio an i5 should be all you need, push it to an i7 if you are doing Video work. Then add in the confusion on HDD with a solid state drive, they don't spin so you don't get any RPM rating!!?? But they often have faster data transfer than a standard HDD, unless you want to pay for the new Helium filled HDD's.
Are you totally confused now?

 

[aczlan]

well.. that did answer some questions. since this will be a mobile platform.. I'l either need the very fastest o f the I5 since they top out at 2.8 Or i will need an I7... ( starting at 2.7 and go up.. etc.. ) the software i am going to use will require 2.67ghz

Is it current software (ie: are these current specs, or specs from 2006)? A 2.4GHZ 3rd generation i5 is significantly faster than a 2.4GHZ P4...

Aaron Z