Confusion over i5 processors in iMacs (picture)

[flipster]

So theres three iMacs. The cheapest one seems to have the fastest processor.. I dont get it. Why are all the i5 processors different clock speeds? Wouldn't people want the fastest one? What's going on here lol

 

[alust2013]

It has the highest clock speed, but also only two cores, rather than four cores for the others. The i5 will be faster in many applications, even though the clock speed is lower.

 

[PatriotInvasion]

So theres three iMacs. The cheapest one seems to have the fastest processor.. I dont get it. Why are all the i5 processors different clock speeds? Wouldn't people want the fastest one? What's going on here lol

The cheaper i5 is a DUAL-core chip. The more expensive i5 is QUAD-core! Just because the clock speed is higher on the dual-core, doesn't mean it's faster. The quad-core chip is a beast compared to the dual-core i5.

 

[flipster]

It has the highest clock speed, but also only two cores, rather than four cores for the others. The i5 will be faster in many applications, even though the clock speed is lower.

Ohhhhh, I get you now. Durrr. I thought the 21.5" was quad core too. My mistake lol. Would there be a big difference between the 1GB graphics card and the 512mb 4850 graphics card?

 

[TMRaven]

Only if you play taxing games a lot.

 

[RuggedPro]

The cheaper i5 is a DUAL-core chip. The more expensive i5 is QUAD-core! Just because the clock speed is higher on the dual-core, doesn't mean it's faster. The quad-core chip is a beast compared to the dual-core i5.

It's my understanding in programs that utilize only 2 cores, which is most of them, the higher clock speed will in fact be faster.

 

[RedReplicant]

edit: nevermind