which one is the better ? i3 , 3rd gen or i5 2nd gen ?

[moodyzxy]

which one is the better ? core i3 , 3rd generation? or core i5 2nd generation ?

 

[Solandri]

which one is the better ? core i3 , 3rd generation? or core i5 2nd generation ?

The 3rd gen Core processors (Ivy Bridge) is just a die shrink of the 2nd gen (Sandy Bridge). So they aren't "better" in terms of performance, just lower power consumption. The exception is the integrated GPU was substantially improved in Ivy Bridge, as well as a few obscure hardware instructions.

So for the desktop (where you can add a video card if you want serious gaming), the 2nd gen i5 would be much better than the 3rd gen i3. The desktop i5 is a quad core, the i3 is a dual core with hyperthreading.

For laptops, the i5 is not that different from the i3. They are both dual cores with hyperthreading. The i5 just has turbo boost (dynamic overclocking) while the i3 does not. Everything else is the same. So you aren't giving up much in terms of CPU speed by dropping from a mobile i5 to an i3. In your case, the 3rd gen i3 would also have a much better GPU and lower power draw.

tl;dr - If desktop, get the 2nd gen i5. If laptop, get the 3rd gen i3.

 

[k1114]

All die shrinks include performance optimizations so is better ipc (~5% better in this case) as well as ib being the first cpus to feature 3d transistors.

 

[moodyzxy]

which one is the better ? core i3 , 3rd generation? or core i5 2nd generation ?

The 3rd gen Core processors (Ivy Bridge) is just a die shrink of the 2nd gen (Sandy Bridge). So they aren't "better" in terms of performance, just lower power consumption. The exception is the integrated GPU was substantially improved in Ivy Bridge, as well as a few obscure hardware instructions.

So for the desktop (where you can add a video card if you want serious gaming), the 2nd gen i5 would be much better than the 3rd gen i3. The desktop i5 is a quad core, the i3 is a dual core with hyperthreading.

For laptops, the i5 is not that different from the i3. They are both dual cores with hyperthreading. The i5 just has turbo boost (dynamic overclocking) while the i3 does not. Everything else is the same. So you aren't giving up much in terms of CPU speed by dropping from a mobile i5 to an i3. In your case, the 3rd gen i3 would also have a much better GPU and lower power draw.

tl;dr - If desktop, get the 2nd gen i5. If laptop, get the 3rd gen i3.

 

[moodyzxy]

thanks solandri !