i5 2 x 3.6ghz vs i7 4 x 2.93ghz

sejanus

Junior Member
Jul 30, 2010
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Hey Guys

Just wondering about this. This is regarding the new imac but I'm sure the same cpu principles apply.

Just for photo editing only (i.e. Aperture or Lightroom) what do you think would be quicker?

2 cpu's at a higher speed - the i5 2 x 3.6ghz chip, or the i7 quad core 2.93ghz?

cheers
 

DrMrLordX

Lifer
Apr 27, 2000
21,700
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By 2 cpus, do you mean the i5 dual core? I assume that's what you mean, but assumptions aren't always correct.
 

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
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The quad core will probably be better. It's single- and dual- threaded performance should be be close enough (perhaps better in some cases) thanks to Turbo mode, the extra L3 cache on the chip, and the faster memory controller.

And even though these benches are under a Windows environment, the quad core wins just about every test. Especially in the multithreaded tests where it dominates the dual core:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Prod....36.37.38.39.40.41.42.43.44.45.46.47.48.49.50
 

aigomorla

CPU, Cases&Cooling Mod PC Gaming Mod Elite Member
Super Moderator
Sep 28, 2005
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http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=48504

2/4t on the i5 he's claiming.

Processor Number i5-680
# of Cores 2
# of Threads 4
Clock Speed 3.6 GHz
Max Turbo Frequency 3.86 GHz
Intel® Smart Cache 4 MB

Ummm go with the quad, im sure there are other things from apple which will use the extra cores.