i3 vs Dual Core

Today's computer processor chips are faster than some of the supercomputers constructed decades ago. You have phenomenal computing power at you fingertips today in the form of the new Intel line of processors which includes core i3, core i5 and core i7 lines. This new family of Intel processors is highly advanced compared to the older core 2 duo or Intel dual core range of processors. Intel has launched its new line of processors with much thought and provided a wide range of choice for users with varied requirements. The Intel core i3 vs dual core comparison presented in this article will underline the advantages that the new entry-level processor line offers over the older dual core and core 2 duo lines. This will help you decide whether upgrading your laptop or desktop computer with an i3 processor is worth it.

As an Intel core i3 vs i5 vs i7 comparison will reveal, the processor giant has provided three different lines varying in speed, performance and cost to offer PC and laptop computer manufacturers with a range of choice. The aim of this Intel core i3 vs core 2 duo and dual core processor comparison is to make it easy for you to decide among the old and new processor lines. By dual core, you could either be referring to the Pentium dual core or core 2 duo processors. So we will compare i3 with both these lines of processors.

Intel Core i3 Vs Dual Core Comparison

The age of multicore processors dawned as manufacturers reached a limit on putting more transistors on a single core. As a quad core vs dual core comparison would reveal, the rise in number of cores substantially boosts computing power. All the three lines of core i3, Pentium dual core and core 2 duo processors have two cores. In the following sections, you will find an i3 vs dual core comparison with respect to technical specifications and performance.

i3 Vs Dual Core: Technical Specifications
Let us begin this Intel i3 vs dual core processor comparison with a comparison of their specifications. Let us first talk about the Pentium dual core line first, which is currently rebranded by Intel as just 'Pentium'. These dual core processors are based on the x86 architecture with three prime lines named 'Yonah (mobile processors)', Allendale, Conroe and Wolfdale 3M (45nm). The clocking frequency of these processors ranges from 1.6 GHz to 3Ghz. They all have two cores packaged together with a 800 MHz FSB. They use the LGA 775 socket and have an L2 cache ranging from 1 MB to 2MB only. The best processor in this line (rebranded as Pentium) is the core E5700 which has 2MB of smart cache. This line has Intel virtualization technology enabled and Intel 64 architecture.

Let us now have a look at the Intel core 2 duo line. The Intel core 2 duo line was a substantial improvement over the dual core line. These chips have two independent cores with multicore processing enabled. Based on a 45 nm architecture, the core 2 duo line of processors has a clocking frequency ranging from 1.8 GHz to 3.33 GHz with L2 cache size ranging from 2MB to 6MB. They are faster than the dual core lines because of all these superior features.

After that dual core vs core 2 duo comparison, now let us see how the core i3 line is an improvement over both these older lines. The core i3 line of processors has a clocking frequency range from 2.26 Ghz up to 3.06 GHz with 32nm architecture. What sets them apart and makes them faster than core 2 dup chips is the integrated GPU and Intel hyperthreading technology. They all come with a new socket type called LGA 11565 and a direct media interface (DMI) which offers faster performance capability. It also comes with Intel HD graphics technology which guarantees superior visual performance.

i3 Vs Dual Core: Performance
As many benchmark test results have revealed, the core i3 processor is far superior to the dual core and core 2 duo line, because of the hyperthreading technology, an integrated GPU and DMI. Unless you already have a high-end core 2 duo processor with clocking frequency around 3GHz, you might want to consider an upgrade to core i3. You will see the difference in the form of substantial increase in overall processing speed. Intel core i5 and core i7 processors offer still better performance than the core i3 line, which is entry-level. Check out core i3 i5 i7 comparison. The core i7 processor line certainly offers the best computer processor in the world today.

Hope this i3 vs dual core comparison has cleared all your doubts regarding the upgrade that the new lines provide over the older ones. This will help you decide whether moving over to the i3 line is worthwhile. I would personally advise you to go for the new core i3 line as it offers substantial improvements over the older lines and comes built in with a lot of innovative features that will boost your computer's performance substantially.