I3 processor differences.

Cardew

Thinking of buying wife an Asus Vivobook 200

PC world have two versions with Intel I3 processor – see:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/search-keywords/703_7006_70006_1731_xx/asus+vivobook/xx-criteria.html?srcid=198&cmpid=ppc~gg~(DTP)_Laptop_-_Brand_Asus~Asus_Vivobook_(E)~Generic&mc!!!!!gg_goog_7904&gclid=CPPE5uvburUCFZTHtAodNQ8AcA

The Intel site allows comparisons between processors see:

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processor-comparison/comparison-chart.html

The I3-3217U is 3rd generation, the I3-2365M is 2nd generation but launched by Intel later than the 3rd generation??

PC world are phasing out the Vivobook with the 3rd generation I3 processor and the new version has the 2nd generation.

Can some techie please explain the pros and cons please.

Johnmcl7

You are correct in that the 3217U is a third generation 'Ivybridge' processor and the 2365M is a second generation 'Sandybridge' processor. Ivybridge was largely an improved version of Sandybridge using the new 22nm manufacturing process so there wasn't that much difference aside from slightly better performance and lower power consumption. Both processors are very similar as they're both dual core with hyperthreading (allows each core to potentially execute two tasks at once), have 3MB cache and don't support turbo boost (where the processor can overclock itself if it's not running too hot). The 3217U has a 400Mhz faster clock speed and a better graphics card so it should be a bit faster than the 2365m plus I'd expect it to be slightly more power efficient although both processors have the same TDP of 17W.

I'm not familiar with these two processors specifically but I can't see any pro for the i3-2365m aside from possibly being cheaper for Asus to buy.

John

AlecEiffel

The other diff is the third gen ivy bridge has the hd4000 graphics which is quite superior to the hd3000 on the second gen sandy bridge processors. Of no importance if you want a dedicated graphics card ever but may be important if you will solely use integrated graphics.

EDIT - just noticed the above poster mentioned graphics already.

Cardew

AlecEiffel wrote: »

The other diff is the third gen ivy bridge has the hd4000 graphics which is quite superior to the hd3000 on the second gen sandy bridge processors. .

Thanks.

That makes it even more surprising that the latest version of the Vivobook has the second generation processor. Which would appear to be a retrograde step??

Also that Intel released this version of the second generation processor later(Q3 2012) than the third generation(Q2 2012)

Johnmcl7

Cardew wrote: »

Thanks.

That makes it even more surprising that the latest version of the Vivobook has the second generation processor. Which would appear to be a retrograde step??

Also that Intel released this version of the second generation processor later(Q3 2012) than the third generation(Q2 2012)

When Intel move from one manufacturing process to another (such as the case going from the second generation to the third generation processor here) they don't shut down the old one and then replace it with the new one. Instead they'll keep the 32nm fab running for a while alongside the 22nm one and in fact there will still be much older processors being produced on older fabs as they have to be able to supply replacement processors for older systems particularly for businesses. We have some brand new PCs at work with first generation Pentium-m processors which were originally released around ten years ago.

So it makes sense if you have the capacity there to keep on producing processors using that design when they're still decent processors, my guess would be Asus can get them cheaper than the third gen processor and as it's a low cost machine it's worthwhile trying to shave the cost down a bit.

John