Importance in ghz in processors

[IanTheSloth]

Hello, in fairly new to all this so please bare with me

From my understanding i7 processors are better than i5 but is that always the case?

For example the Intel Core i7 860 Processor 2.80 GHz has less GHz than the Intel Core i5-2500 3.7 GHz so between the two processors which is better? Is GHz the main factor to consider?

i have an i5 750 2.67 GHz processor with an lga1156 motherboard and im looking for a decent processor to upgrade to. My needs focus around gaming

 

[profoundnoah]

Ghz is just the speed the cpu carries out tasks. Clock speeds dont always indicate performance, so its not as simple as it seems sadly.

 

[CTurbo]

Architecture is more important than ghz, and ghz can only be compared directly within the same generation. A newer Intel cpu @ 3.4ghz will be faster than an older Intel cpu @ 3.4ghz. Current Intel 3.4ghz is faster than current AMD 5.0ghz. It's all about architecture and IPC(instructions per clock). AMD cpus have poor IPC which means they can't get as much work down per 1.0ghz as Intel can. The difference here is 50-60%.


So a 4th gen i5 @ 3.6ghz would be faster than a 4th gen i5 @ 3.4ghz.
A 3rd gen i5 @ 3.6ghz would be about equal to a 4th gen i5 @ 3.4ghz.


Does this makes sense?

 

[azathoth]

Cores, both Physics and Logical. Clock speed, as well as IPC / Instructions Per Clock determine processor "speed".

For instance, An old Pentium 4 at 4Ghz will be easily outperformed by any modern processor, such as a haswell processor at even half that speed.

Clock speed is important, but instructions per clock is equally as important.