Question : which is the better processor and why?

of these two processors, which is better and why?

what is the estimated value in dollars between the two... like, is one $200 better than the other?

Intel® Core 2 Quad  2.0GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB)

versus

Intel Core i7-620M Dual Core Mobile Processor 2.66GHz (4MB Cache,4 Threads, 1066Mhz FSB)


i would guess the quad core is better, 2.0ghz X 4 = 8ghz?  but only 3mb cache
whereas the i7 would be 2.6ghz X 2 = 5.2ghz?  but 4 threads, 4mb cache?

Answer : which is the better processor and why?

Which one is faster ? Well it depends on what application you are running. If the application can take advantage of multi-core (such as rendering application), then the Core 2 Quad is faster. Unfortunately, multi-thread programming is a real challenge, so most of application right now can only use upto 2 cores. So go for an i7, it will perform better than the Quad 2Ghz in most application because the advantage of higher frequency and newer technology, and even in rendering it probably does not fall very behind.