Processors

[projectmayhem9 8]

Intel® Core™ i7-620M 2.66GHz (3.33Ghz Turbo Mode, 4M cache)

Intel® Core™ i7 740QM Quad Core Processor, 1.73GHz (2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 6M Cache

What are the pros/cons of these processors? What are the primary differences between a duo and quad processor in terms of performance?

[Velo 2077]

i'd probably go with the 740qm due to the bigger cache..

[Dojima 7619]

The quad-core's about 18% faster. Quad-cores are better at multitasking when compared to dual-cores.

[Mitch 2111]

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardware-components-aftermarket-upgrades/450403-i7-620m-vs-720qm.html

That might help you (although its 620M vs 720QM, but it was the closest match I could find with a huge discussion). IMO, I'd take the 740 for the extra cache.

[projectmayhem9 8]

Alright thanks for the help guys

[Guitar Guy 25]

I'd go for the 640.

Higher core clock, it'll be easier to OC.

4m cache vs 6m cache won't be much difference. The core clock speed (1.7ghz vs 2.6) Will be a huge factor though.

[Guest Fohacidal]

I'd go for the 640.

Higher core clock, it'll be easier to OC.

4m cache vs 6m cache won't be much difference. The core clock speed (1.7ghz vs 2.6) Will be a huge factor though.

Im inclined to agree, if you are going to overclock into 3.0+ speeds you will love the higher clock speed

[Guitar Guy 25]

Im inclined to agree, if you are going to overclock into 3.0+ speeds you will love the higher clock speed

Even if he doesn't OC, single threaded applications will be significantly faster with the 640 due to the higher clock speed.

Not to mention there isn't a single game out there that is PERFECTLY optimized for a quad core processor. Today's games are optimized for dual core, and if the devs can offload anything extra to other cores then they do.

[projectmayhem9 8]

What about the 620 compared to the 840QM? Would a quad core be worth getting then?

[Mitch 2111]

Hmmmmm. What are you planning on doing with this laptop?

Do you intend to overclock? Do you intend to use any processor intensive applications? Gaming?

[projectmayhem9 8]

It's for college and I'd like to use it for gaming.

[BlkDrgn 0]

higher cache and lower clocks will perform better than higher clocks with a lower cache

[TURKISH RAMBO 9]

higher cache and lower clocks will perform better than higher clocks with a lower cache

Depends on how many threads t he program is using.

For laptops a dual core with higher clock less cache > lower clock speed more cache will get higher performance.

more cores / more cache = more multitasking

[Guitar Guy 25]

higher cache and lower clocks will perform better than higher clocks with a lower cache

Fuck off.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cache-size-matter,1709-5.html

Do some damn research before recommending a shitty processor. 2mb of Cache for gaming will barely make a difference - 4mb is plenty.

See the link to see how much cache really affects performance.

So, the 640 -

Insanely good single threaded performance (You wouldn't believe how many applications AREN'T EVEN OPTIMIZED FOR DUAL CORE)

4mb of cache is plenty enough for a dual core to not bottleneck the performance of the processor.

And the other one (The quad)

Good multithreaded performance...If only apps were made to utilize 4 cores.

That's about it.

FYI - That link also tested processors of the same frequency. We're talking about 1.73ghz vs 2.66ghz which means the 620 will beat the 720 by a mile (In gaming)

Games generally prefer higher clock speed, as long as you have at least a dual core (Except for one game, Battlefield Bad Company 2)

[-DragoN- 2]

So the question I am burning to ask at this time, and im sure someone here can answear me.

Is it best to get a really high end Duel core at this time (I hear rumur's that game developer's are looking at this then quad) or stick with my high end quad core?

[TURKISH RAMBO 9]

what processors exactly?

Youre prob better off stickin with your "high end" quadcore.

More and more stuff is being developed to utilize all cores.

[Guitar Guy 25]

So the question I am burning to ask at this time, and im sure someone here can answear me.

Is it best to get a really high end Duel core at this time (I hear rumur's that game developer's are looking at this then quad) or stick with my high end quad core?

High end dual core (If it's a laptop)

If it's a desktop, then get a quad.

[Clay 24]

High end dual core (If it's a laptop)

If it's a desktop, then get a quad.

Or spend an extra $70 bucks and get a six-core.

Totally buying one of them soon.

[Guitar Guy 25]

Or spend an extra $70 bucks and get a six-core.

Totally buying one of them soon.

Look at the reviews. In most cases they don't even outperform the quad cores.

Applications and games aren't optimized for six cores. Hell, they aren't even optimized for 4. By the time they are that processor will be about $100....That's when I'll buy it =D

[projectmayhem9 8]

So you would say the 640 is still a better choice than faster quad cores such as the 840?

[Guitar Guy 25]

So you would say the 640 is still a better choice than faster quad cores such as the 840?

The quad isn't faster. It just has more cores and a slightly increased cache.

[projectmayhem9 8]

Faster relative to the 740 I meant.

[Kelso 4]

STIFFY WHERE YOU BEEN MANG.

also tell narin i still wanna get in that shit

[projectmayhem9 8]

Haha I've been around I just forget to log onto Xfire like everyday. Waat uppp. Check out my post in the Soapbox DARE section in the pics thread. One word: Boss.

[projectmayhem9 8]

Sorry to double post buut...

Guitar Guy(or anyone else who has his level of knowledge on the subject) would you still recommend the 620M duo over a 840QM?Or is it just better when compared to the 740QM?