Which is Faster: Quad-Core or i3

A

Adam

[H]ard|Gawd
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Jan 9, 2003
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So which processor is faster... i need to upgrade my work pc and im either getting:

Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz which means i'll also need a new motherboard
or
Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300 Yorkfield 2.5GHz which will work with my existing motherboard

If i upgrade to an i3, i can get a new motherboard that supports gigabit (our new office will have gigabit) as my current motherboard is 10/100 - but it all depends on whats left in my budget, so just which is fater the i3 or the quad core...
 
Thanks. I was about to come here and delete my post... it'll cost me more then my budget to upgrade to an i3.. i'll need a new motherboard @ $89.99 for the one I want, plus new memory.

Im gonna get the quad core + another video card (so i can have a 3rd monitor as my 32" LCD) and be done with it. I'll get a gigabit NIC if i want to... but which is faster though when it comes down to it the Q300 or the i3-530??? Im curious for future builds.
 
Well your comparing a chip that runs 2.9GHz to one that runs 2.5Ghz. Not a real fair comparisn is it?
 
maleficarus said:
Well your comparing a chip that runs 2.9GHz to one that runs 2.5Ghz. Not a real fair comparisn is it?
Click to expand...

Clockspeed means nothing across product lines.

And who cares what is "fair" it's a valid real world comparison.
 
The i3 would be faster at most single and 2 thread loads since it has a faster clock and higher IPC.
 
I would just get a 9550, unless the system speed is bottlenecking you at work somehow. I'd say HT only goes so far; twice the additional execution units would probably even it out.
 
Zoomer said:
I would just get a 9550, unless the system speed is bottlenecking you at work somehow. I'd say HT only goes so far; twice the additional execution units would probably even it out.
Click to expand...

I agree, may as well make the last 775 upgrade worthwhile unless you have a great deal on the q8300.
 
$159.99 on newegg for q8300

I gotta find a better source for computer parts for OEM.. we build computers for clients but we always buy from newegg... even our business terms account with them, we dont get the best deals
 
Most likely the $100 8300 would be used however there was a time where MC was selling a Q9550 for $169. I have been told its now up to $200. Of course this is from the company that was selling the i7 for $199 while everyone else had it for $280.

I just would not normally sink a lot of money into a dead socket. However at work or for a client, I could see myself taking the $159 Q8300 only if they let me buy from newegg anymore. We have one of those exclusive contracts that are supposed to save us money but in reality they charge 30% more on a lot of items. They do save on some (like lto tapes) however.
 
I have feeling that i3 is faster in some ways, but the economically sensible thing to do is to get that Q8300
 
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