Topic: Core / Pentium?

[Simon]

Can someone please explain the difference between an Intel® Core™ i3-2100 (3.10 GHz), and a Dual-core Intel® Pentium® E5800 (3.20 GHz)?  I have been asked for advice from someone wanting a new basic PC, and I'm not really up to date on latest specs.  The two being compared are:

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/acer-aspire-m3910-2-black-08647605-pdt.html

and

http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/hp-pavilion-g5410uk-desktop-pc-10452256-pdt.html

What would be the best one to go for?

[Rik]

I'm rusty too. My lappy has an i3, which does seem faster than a dual-core.

[sam]

Different internals - I believe, will check later, that the i3 is faster and requires lower power - from ky research a whil

[sam]

Sorry the last part should be - from my research a while a go I chose the I core

[Simon]

TBH, I'm thinking it won't really matter to the people who are going to be using it.  They currently have a 2002 XP machine, so anything is going to seem like light speed to them.  I was more concerned with potential upgrades, etc, but I'm not even sure that would affect them either, as Pentium isn't going to become obsolete overnight, is it?

[Rik]

It depends on what Intel can dream up next.

[sam]

this might be handy: How to Choose the Right Processor  http://www.intel.com/consumer/products/processors/comparison.htm

though note, there is no pentium on that list..  though:

Although using the Pentium name, the desktop Pentium Dual-Core is based on the Core microarchitecture, which can clearly be seen when comparing the specification to the Pentium D, which is based on the NetBurst microarchitecture first introduced in the Pentium 4. Below the 2 or 4 MiB of shared-L2-cache-enabled Core 2 Duo, the desktop Pentium Dual-Core has 1 or 2 MiB of shared L2 Cache. In contrast, the Pentium D processors have either 2 or 4 MiB of non-shared L2 cache. Additionally, the fastest-clocked Pentium D has a factory boundary of 3.73 GHz, while the fastest-clocked desktop Pentium Dual-Core reaches 3.2 GHz. A major difference among these processors is that the desktop Pentium Dual Core processors have a TDP of only 65 W while the Pentium D ranges between 95 to 130 W.

In other words they won't notice... apart from power consumption.

[Simon]

Yeah, that's all geek speak to a non-techie user.  All they want is something newer and better than they have now, and practically anything they buy new today will meet that criteria.

[Simon]

Curiously, the Acer seems to have vanished from the link above, but the HP is still there.

[sam]

hmmm that's odd.

but still yeah, anything now will be better. dual core and above is needed imo and more ram the better.

[Simon]

Indeed, that's why I thought, for virtually the same price, 4Gb of RAM (expandable, as opposed to 3Gb fixed), the 64 bit OS, and the bigger hard drive offered more 'bang for buck', and was worth having more than the newer chip.

[Rodders]

My laptop has an Intel T9300 CPU and the big box has a Q8300.  Both became obsolete the very moment I opened my wallet.  Having said that, here's an absolutely indispensable site for detailed info about CPUs.

http://www.cpu-world.com/

[Rik]

If you can buy it, Rod, it's already obsolete.

[Simon]

Good link, though. 

[Rik]

Indeed.