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    I7 question

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by KillWonder, Oct 15, 2009.

  1. KillWonder

    KillWonder Notebook Evangelist

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    Excuse my stupidity but how many cores does the I7 use, and would it be wise if im going to buy a new notebook to have a I7 in it instead of a high duo core?
     
    KillWonder, Oct 15, 2009
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  2. SoundOf1HandClapping

    SoundOf1HandClapping Was once a Forge

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    Four, and the i7 is more future-proof than a dualcore, so in general, yes.
     
    SoundOf1HandClapping, Oct 15, 2009
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  3. Nifkin

    Nifkin Notebook Consultant

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    That's a biggie ;-)

    OK, a few general points:
    • i7 for mobiles uses up to four cores
    • The base clock speed of a core i7 is only part of the story
    • The Turbo boost functionality in i7 effectively auto-overclocks the cores depending on how many your PC is utilising at the time, for example:
      the i7 720QM processor has a 1.6GHz base, can OC to 1.73GHz on 4 cores, 2.4GHz on 2 cores, and 2.8GHz 1 cores
    • Whether four cores are useful to you depends on what you use your laptop for; 3D graphics rendering likes multicores!
    • It is safe to say that even the low end i7 720QM will wipe the floor with 95% of C2D processors, not least because the new architecture of i7 is faster per clock cycle than C2D, so you can't directly compare an i7 and a C2D PCU just by looking at their clock speeds!
    • i7 will be more future proof as more multicore-utilising software is developed
    • Oops, and I forgot about hyperthreading!

    I hope that gives you the beginnings of an idea about Core i7; I will leave it to the more technically minded on the forum to expand upon/modify my points!

    Cheers

    Niffy
     
    Nifkin, Oct 15, 2009
    #3
  4. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    What are you using your notebook for? What is your budget? If you're seriously looking to buy, fill out the FAQ.
     
    sgogeta4, Oct 15, 2009
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  5. jk6959

    jk6959 Notebook Consultant

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    in short - it's far more powerful, but also power-hungry. If you have to get a laptop now, then chose dual or i7 based on power/futureproof or battery life
     
    jk6959, Oct 15, 2009
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  6. Serg

    Serg Nowhere - Everywhere

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    I dont agree with you jk6959.
    i7 on idle consumes less than a C2Q. It manages consumption A LOT better than core-architecture.
    Yes when stressed consumes more though.
     
    Serg, Oct 15, 2009
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  7. KillWonder

    KillWonder Notebook Evangelist

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    Mostly for gaming.
    It also seems to me that the quad is just a bad buy and ur better off with an c2d or i7.
     
    KillWonder, Oct 16, 2009
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