Will there be much difference between R1 vs R2?

deleated post........

 

If it's a GPU-bound game, some but not that much to warrant the cost difference for most folks. If it is a CPU-bound game (WOW, Star Trek Online, Crysis, BF: Bad Company 2, etc) the average tends to be a bit better on the i-series processors but the areas of a game that require intense CPU activity are noticeably better on the i-series.

For instance, on my R1 overclocked in Star Trek Online when standing in the ship mod section of StarFleet HQ with the same exact settings the R1 for me gets around 22 frames, while on the R2 i7 BEFORE overclocking it averages around 30, about a 33% bump. Overclocking the R2 yields even more, so in SOME games it is noticeably better, the i5 will be in the neighborhood under similar circumstances. In both cases the games are playable, BF:BC2 is often pointed as being much more playable on the i5/i7 than the C2D. There are of course a few other games in the same boat, but the R1 is a *very* capable machine.

If you use tools like ThrottleStop, overclock, etc the i5 will be a fair bit faster and smoother overall. The i5 is a very good compromise in terms of cost, battery life, performance, etc.

 

I also need help answering this question.
Is it worth purchasing the i5 instead of the core2duo?

The programs/games I use are:
Microsoft Word
Powerpoint
Mass Effect 2
Starcraft 2
Guild Wars (Does not require a good graphics card and I could play it on any computer in the house really)
Sims 3

Soon to play games:
Elder scrolls 5
Diablo 3
Torchlight 2
Mass Effect 3

 

if cost is not a issue, the only reason imo not to get a R2 (i5/i7 CPU) is if you need the most battery life possible. the R1 (core2 Duo) gets on avg. around 2hrs more the the R2.

if you dont care about price or battery life, the only down side i can think of for getting a R2 is Optimus issues. but i understand that most of them have been fixed.