Can someone "dumb down" the differences of these different types of Intel processors?
Looking to replace a old desktop in the near future and trying to do some research. Currently have Pentium 4 CPU running XP.
For the "i" series whats the difference between i7 and i7 extreme.
Thanks in advance.
I'm sure someone will correct me if I am wrong. But the first difference is about $700. I can't explain the technical differences but the i7 are 4 core processors and the i7 extreme is a 6 core with unlocked abilities. The extreme is Intels Black version CPU.
The Atom CPUs are low power devices, intended for mobile applications. I believe that they're used only in appliance devices (like netbooks).
Xeons are server CPUs. some of them can be used in motherboards with multiple CPU sockets.
I7 CPUs are quad core and support hyperthreading, so in Windows they show 8 CPUs. (The exceptions are the I7-970, 980x, and 990x, which have 6 cores, and show 12 CPUs.) There are I7 for 3 socket types:
1366
1156
1155
The Socket 1366 ones support triple-channel memory mode. The extreme CPUs have unlocked CPU multipliers, and are expensive ($1000US). They're intended for hardcore enthusiasts.
The Socket 1156 ones support dual channel memory.
1155 is the new Sandy Bridge series, similar to Socket 1156, but using new chipsets.
The I5 CPUs are also quad core, but the don't support hyperthreading.
In the 1156 and 1155 lines, the k suffix (like I7-2600k) indicates that the multiplier is unlocked. That's mainly of interest to overclockers. (Example: an I7-2600k normally runs at 17X200MHz, or 3.4GHz. It's not unusual to raise the multiplier to 21, giving 4.2GHz.)
If you're looking to build a new system, Sandy Bridge may be attractive. The highest end CPU in that line, the I7-2600k, lists for around $330. (The I5-2500k is about $100 cheaper.) Its price/performance give a major advance over the first generation I7 CPUs, at least for overclockers.
Is that complex enough?
Atom - Power efficient laptop/netbook CPUs.
Xeon - Expensive server CPUs.
i3/5/7 - Low to High end consumer CPUs.
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