Got a question about the processors used in current Macs

[JasonHoward]

Just wondering how well the T2X00 Core Duo processors stack up against the rest of the products out there today? I'm just confused between an Intel Core Duo running at 1.83 - 2.16 ghz, while there are other dual core processors from Intel running at approximately 3.0 ghz or even greater.

I'm interested at the iMac, but was just wondering why the clock speed is considerably slower than all the other chips out there, while everything out now is dual core and comes from the same company?

For example

The Core Duo T2600 at 2.16 ghz sells for $444.99 at www.newegg.com
The Intel Pentium D 950 Dual Core at 3.40 ghz sells for 339.99 at www.newegg.com

I guess I'm just not up to date with all this processor stuff. Any help would be gladly appreciated.

 

[yellow]

The Pentium D and the Core Duo are not the same processors.
I'm not sure you can compare them 1:1.

Interestingly, there's no comparison model: http://indigo.intel.com/compare_cpu/default.aspx?familyID=1&culture=en-US

 

[JasonHoward]

The Pentium D and the Core Duo are not the same processors.
I'm not sure you can compare them 1:1.

What would be the advantages to the Core Duo in a desktop then, given it's higher price tag.

 

[BlizzardBomb]

In language you'll understand... The Pentium 4/Pentium D have quite low performance per clock. The Core Duos and Core 2 Duos are putting emphasis on performance per clock so even though they run at lower clock speeds, they should in theory outperform Pentium 4s/ Pentium Ds. The Core Duos/Core 2 Duos are also a lot more energy-efficient and cooler to run.

 

[yellow]

What would be the advantages to the Core Duo in a desktop then, given it's higher price tag.

I haven't the faintest idea...
Unfortunately, there's no choice in a Mac.

Perhaps the Pentium D chip is going to be dropped in the future and the Core Duo line had life in it still?

 

[JasonHoward]

In language you'll understand... The Pentium 4/Pentium D have quite low performance per clock. The Core Duos and Core 2 Duos are putting emphasis on performance per clock so even though they run at lower clock speeds, they should in theory outperform Pentium 4s. The Core Duos/Core 2 Duos are also a lot more energy-efficient and cooler to run.

So Intel has followed AMD's route of doing more work per clock.

Thanks, as I was kinda baffled with the dozens of CPU's out there right now, all of which say "Dual core" with a huge variety of clock speeds and prices.

 

[topgunn]

This thread answers the question very well.