dotcomUNDERGROUND

Wondering whats the difference between Intel Core i3, Core i5, Core i7 and Core i7 Extreme processors?

Without going through long technical (and marketing) terms, here is the main difference in short:

Intel Core i3 Processor:

All Intel Core i3 processors got 2 cores/4 threads. They come with 3MB (on laptop) or 4MB(on desktop) Cache Memory. While Hyper-Threading is present, Turbo Boost is NOT AVAILABLE on Core i3 processors.

Intel Core i5 Processor:

All Intel Core i5 processors got 2 cores/4 threads or 4 cores/4 threads (on i5-750S and i5-750 desktop processor). They come with 3MB (on laptop) or 4/8MB(on desktop) Cache Memory. Both Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost is available on all Core i5 processors except for i5-750S and i5-750 desktop processors where neither is present!

Intel Core i7 Processor:

Intel Core i7 processors got 4 cores/8 threads or 2 cores/4 threads (on i7-620M, i7-640LM, i7-620LM, i7-640UM and i7-620UM laptop processors). They come with 4, 6 or 8 MB Cache Memory. Both Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost is available on all Core i7 processors.

Intel Core i7 Extreme Processor:

Intel Core i7 Extreme processors got 4 cores/8 threads or 6 cores/12 threads (on i7-980X desktop processor only). They come with 8 or 12 MB(on i7-980X desktop processor only) Cache Memory. Both Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost is available on all Core i7 processors.

So, in short:
Intel Core i3:
Cores/Threads: 2 cores/4 threads
Hyper-Threading: YES
Turbo Boost: NO

Intel Core i5:
Cores/Threads: 2 cores/4 threads (4 cores/4 threads on some models)
Hyper-Threading: YES
Turbo Boost: YES

Intel Core i7:
Cores/Threads: 4 cores/8 threads (2 cores/4 threads on some models)
Hyper-Threading: YES
Turbo Boost: YES

Intel Core i7 Extreme:
Cores/Threads: 4 cores/8 threads (6 cores/12 threads on some models)
Hyper-Threading: YES
Turbo Boost: YES