Why are there multiple Core i5 processors?

[TerrorSketch]

They don't seem to have any differences other than clock speeds.
-same architecture
-same cache sizes
-same manufacturing processes
-etc.

What justifies the $10-$30 price differences on these processors compared to each other? Or what differences are there other than the clock multipliers?

 

[tambeshakunt]

No, they are not the same. They either have different clocks, or more importantly, some are unlocked and have the K at the end of the name. Also there are some with an S which are the low power ones.

Unlocked means they have the capability to be overclocked and the multiplier can be freely changed whereas you can't do that on a non-K cpu.


Some also have better onboard graphics than the other.

 

[Karsten75]

It is a common process called "market segmentation" - In Intel's opinion, different people want different things from their PCs - so they provide a range of PCs that primarily differ in performance of either the IGP (integrated Graphics Processor) or the actual processors in how much work they can do. This leads to different prices,

Another factor that causes this is a process called "binning" - not all silicon is the same after manufacture, and Intel "bins" them according to quality. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_binning

 

[bicycle_repair_man]

It's like buying a car from a range of seemingly-identical ones. BMW offer several 3-series cars, some have bigger engines and more toys which appeal to some buyers, whilst some have smaller engines and less toys, which appeal to other buyers.