The 2nd generaiton Intel® Core processors are about 10% to 15% faster than the 1st generation Intel Core processors at the same speed. The 3rd generation Intel Core processors are about 6% faster than the 2nd generation Intel Core processors at the same speed. In the end you are looking at a 3rd generation Intel Core processor being around 20% to 25% faster than the 1st generation Intel Core processors at the same speed.
Thanks Christian for your response. To clarify when you say 1st generation processors do you mean microarchitecture Core (& Penryn), the 2nd generation Nehalem (& Westmere) and 3rd generation Sandybridge (& Ivybridge)?
Thanks
Haider
I think for Intel the current generation numbering starts with 'i' named chips, not the "Core" chips. Everything after Core2Duo and Core2Quad.
Nahalem is gen 1, Sandy Bridge is gen 2, and Ivy Bridge is gen 3. Hence the naming of SB i7 2600k and IB i7 3750k. SB-E is technically mis-numbered as 38xx and 39xx since it is based on Sandy Bridge. Haswell will be generation 4.
http://ark.intel.com/