What good is the i3 processor?

It doesn't have turbo boost or hyper threading and its only 2 cores.

What benefits does this processor have over a core 2 duo (P, T and whatever other series)?

 

It's still based on the Nehalem architecture, which is supposed to give about a 20% boost over the same clocked C2D. They also come with an integrated GPU and memory controller on die.

 

Arrandale also has integrated AES enhancements and a few other things. Basically the i3 is the new bargain chip. It'll be the least expensive option if it's presented as an option.

 

Core i3 DOES have Hyperthreading.

 

no turbo boost... brb... another pentium and celeron replacement... if u are smart , u'd get a core i5 or core i7... budget stuff is always crap quality...

 

Except its not crap. For example, a Core i3-350M is just as fast as a Core i5-430M, and the only drawbacks are no Turbo Boost, and the gpu clockspeed is slower. And the Core i5 is not a Celeron or Pentium replacement, Arrandale based Pentiums are coming out soon.

 

For me, I would guess that the i3s are in the T6xxx section of Intel's Core 2 duo, the i5s are in the T/P8xxx section and the i7s are the high end T/P9xxx or higher

 

There is a place for lower-end hardware.

Lots of folks like to keep purchases from breaking the bank and the i3 gives good performance for little cost.

 

core i3 is based on 32nm and has ht so definately uite a lot better vs c2d. Just to give as an example t6600 score 5.7 and i3-330M( cheapest core i3) score 6.2 in wei. although i dont trust wei much but .5 difference in wei do suggest something.

 

Sean, define "crappy quality" specifically as is applies to the i3.

Cite your sources, please.

 

Lower power consumption should be there also, seeing as how the memory controller is in the CPU and the GPU also. 35w TDP for the whole package.

 

That's one thing I never got. People always said Celeron is crappy quality, leading one to the assumption that they blow up ... Never had a problem with a celeron or any other processor for that matter.

 

Don't want to thread jack but my question is also about the i3 processor.

Will it be able to run photoshop cs4 while multi tasking with itunes without any major lagg?

And will it be able to handle multiple internet browsers (with let's say 3 tabs each) open with a couple of microsoft word and powerpoint applications?

Thanks.

 

Yes, a Core i3 can do that with no problems at all.

 

Don't worry about jacking the thread man. I was wondering that myself just now.

My m860tu graphics card is friggin up and I'm wondering if purchasing a new system less than $1000 US would make sense. Looking at the Dell's with i3 processor due to the fact that its easy to fix in my country and I won't have to worry about Dell going out of business anytime soon.