Difference between Core2 Duo and Extreme?

[ultrablue662]

A search on Wikipedia garnered more geek talk than even I can comprehend (and in my circle of friends, Im like super geek)

Meron, and melon, and rrange juice... I'm lost.

So would someone please explain to me the main differences between an iMac with a 2.4 Ghz Core 2 Duo and a 2.8 Ghz Core 2 Extreme?

Is it worth the extra 250 USD?

Thanks all!

[Pawan]

On an iMac I think the only diffrence would be the higher clock speed.

Usually an extreme processor would have large cache size, a faster FSB, and a higher clock speed with the option of changing the multiplier. But I think in the core 2 duo family, all the processors have the same FSB & cache size, so its basically the higher clock speed with the system builder having the option of changing the clock multiplier.

So on an iMac I guess it just comes to is the 0.4 Ghz speed bump (extreme) worth the $250.

[ultrablue662]

See thats what I couldnt understand. the FSB and Cache are exactly the same. so I thought I was missing something. But I guess Im not. It really is just the clock speed... and the cool EXTREME logo!

Sigh. Im so lost. I originally wanted a Black MacBook, then decided on an iMac, a 20 inch, then it was almost decided... till I SAW the 24 inch in person...

So Now Im lost again. Do you think 250 bucks is worth that increased clock speed? for a person who's main uses of a computer are internet, MS Office, Itunes, and Mail? Seems like over kill huh? in reality I should just be thinking about the entry level 20 inch.

Someone tell me all i need is the basic 20 inch! Please.

[Abbas]

Extreme is Quad Core CPU (Four Cores) whereas Core 2 Duo has a dual core (Two Cores) CPU. So technically, for CPU based tasks, you'll see massive speed improvements. For example, MP3 or Video Encoding, Photoshop rendering will see a big difference.

-a

[Pawan]

Originally Posted by Abbas

Extreme is Quad Core CPU (Four Cores) whereas Core 2 Duo has a dual core (Two Cores) CPU. So technically, for CPU based tasks, you'll see massive speed improvements. For example, MP3 or Video Encoding, Photoshop rendering will see a big difference.

-a

Intel's naming scheme is really getting confusing now. From what I've read the iMac 2.8 Extreme is only a dual core processor not a quad core.

Link:
iMac (24-inch Mid 2007): About the 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme Processor

[Pawan]

Originally Posted by ultrablue662

See thats what I couldnt understand. the FSB and Cache are exactly the same. so I thought I was missing something. But I guess Im not. It really is just the clock speed... and the cool EXTREME logo!

Sigh. Im so lost. I originally wanted a Black MacBook, then decided on an iMac, a 20 inch, then it was almost decided... till I SAW the 24 inch in person...

So Now Im lost again. Do you think 250 bucks is worth that increased clock speed? for a person who's main uses of a computer are internet, MS Office, Itunes, and Mail? Seems like over kill huh? in reality I should just be thinking about the entry level 20 inch.

Someone tell me all i need is the basic 20 inch! Please.

Yah thats almost like me. I only wanted the entry level 2.2 MBP till they came out with the High Defination screen on the 17" only, and only because of the screen I ended up picking up a 17"

But I love it so much, that I don't regret paying that extra buck.

So its not only the processor speed, its also if you want that gorgeous 24" display

[dandantheitman]

Originally Posted by Pawan

On an iMac I think the only diffrence would be the higher clock speed.

Usually an extreme processor would have large cache size, a faster FSB, and a higher clock speed with the option of changing the multiplier. But I think in the core 2 duo family, all the processors have the same FSB & cache size, so its basically the higher clock speed with the system builder having the option of changing the clock multiplier.

So on an iMac I guess it just comes to is the 0.4 Ghz speed bump (extreme) worth the $250.

In addition to the faster Front Side Bus (FSB), a higher cache and also a faster processor it also gets an unlocked cpu multiplier: This is a ratio of clock speed to front side bus. A system with a CPU multiplier of 11x (which is what the apple core 2 duo extreme does) Will have its CPU execute 11 complete cycles for every cycle of its FSB.

Dan