Would a 2720 be faster than a lower end module when...

Let say you have 2 identical rigs, one with 2720 and one with something like an i5, would there be a speed difference when an application does not even stress the i5 to 100%? Like playing some not-so-intensive games, open up videos, web surfing.

I mean even those intensive games probably won't stress an i5 to full load, but would there still be a speed difference when compared to an i7?

 

Not for most practical applications. GTA4 and ArmA2 are notable exceptions, as is video encoding/editing. I expect that before too long, though, quad-core will be the norm for gaming.

 

Which i5?

And why an i5? Why not an i7? Literally the same thing in terms of performance.

 

Well that was just an example. All I wanna know is without stressing the CPU to full load are there any speed difference between a higher clocked CPU and lower clocked CPU.

 

If everything is the same other than the clock speed, no there will be no speed difference if they're not at full load. Just more idle cycles.

 

No, there is a difference between different cpu's. The question is if you would notice it.

I do.

There is a difference because the higher end cpu will (if allowed by the power setting options), step up to full power for the millisecond it needs to complete any given task - then, drop back down to idle.

Let's say that the high end cpu stays 'pegged' at 100% for 0.01 seconds - the lower end cpu might stay pegged for 0.1 seconds to complete the same task - this is why a faster cpu/platform will 'feel' faster. Especially if many of these smaller 'tasks' are ganged up on it. The difference is noticeable.

 

The 2720QM will feel faster for sure. I come from a Dual Core 2 Duo to i7 quad and the 2 extra cores help a lot. Certainly for gaming , encoding and Virtual Machines , i would suggest you get the quad.

 

if prices are similar, get the quad. dual cores may be relegated to smartphones and tablets by year end or earlier.

 

That's if the battery life isn't becomming horrible with the dual cores in smartphones. The iphone already has horrendus battery life.. can't imagine what would happen with a dual core CPU.

 

It will be noticeable - depending on the app.

Some games do not do multi-threading well, and a fast dual core can be faster in game than a slower quad core.

In heavily multi-threaded apps though, like video encoding/decoding, more cores can trump more clock speed