I7 vs i5 single core performance

[zacaj]

Im going to be getting a new laptop, and I have everything picked out except for the cpu. I have a choice between a i5-2410M, 2.3-2.9GHz and a i7-2630QM, 2.0-2.8GHz for $100 more. Obviously, the i7 is better, since it costs more and has 4 cores, but I nervous about the clock speed. i7s always eem to have lower clock speeds than i5s, and I dont know if theyre sacrificing speed for more cores. I I was running just one single core app, which would perform better, the i5 or the i7? (Is the i7 more efficient per cycle than an i5)

 

[geekapproved]

They would be identicle in performance at the same clock speed speed in a single thread, so the i5 would actually be slightly faster because it has a higher clock speed.

The reason the quads are clocked lower is so they can keep the temps and power requirements down.

 

[zacaj]

OK, thanks

 

[zacaj]

Best answer selected by zacaj.