Processor Information

[classicsoftware]

What is the difference between a Core 2 Quad and Core i5 processor? Will the user whose most taking efforts will be Skyping with kids along with browsing and office work notice a difference?

[jlreich]

Core 2's are older s775 but still plenty good for those types of tasks. i5 are current but budget minded and also just fine for those types of tasks.

I would shy away from a new build/OEM system with s775 do to future proofing, but it is quite adequate for the tasks you stated. Parts are still plentiful as of now. So if you find a great deal and the customer would likely never do more than office type tasks that's fine.

i5 has the benefit of being the smaller 32nm tech, less power/heat, support for DDR3, and just an overall updated platform.

[hackerballs]

PRICE:
The main difference is that the i5 has Hyperthreding.....so in effect, you have 8 cores......sort of......If you are not going to multitask apps, then both will do just fine.......

jlreich is correct in that one might want to future -proof.......but that will depend on how much mooney you want to spend...........you need three things to start....MB...RAM...CPU (assuming you have case, PSU.etc) as they will not be interchangable between them.....

if the price is the same....I would go for the i5......as why not?

[jlreich]

PRICE:
The main difference is that the i5 has Hyperthreding
Good point, wasn't thinking about the hyperthreading.

[rond36]

Most of the the Intel i5 processors are duel-core, so with HT you have 4 cores.
http://ark.intel.com/ProductCollection.aspx?familyID=42912

There are 2 quad-core i5 processors but they don't support HT, and one of them is an embedded processor so that leaves the i5 750S 2.40GHz (http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=42917&processor=i5-750S&spec-codes=SLBLH) for desktop use.

[hackerballs]

good point

[Matt]

Don't forget about the Intel i3. They should also be socket 1156 CPUs like the i5 and some of the i7s.

[hackerballs]

just get the i7 980 or get two of them....make that Xeon....to go pls