New To Current Tech Sandybridge Please Explain

[jcb33]

Hey all,

Currently have a Socket 939 CPU and thinking of upgrading, I am looking at the Intel Core i5-2300 2.80GHz, however I am very confused as to how this actually works? I have been out of the hardware game for quite a while and feel like a total novice now .

Instead of it being a 2.8Ghz CPU it has a 2.8Ghz Frequency, what is this about?

It also mentions it has a 3.1Ghz Frequency in "Turbo Mode" what is this?

Does the CPU run at 2.8Ghz or does it run a lower speeds then overclock itself when it needs to?

Also it states it has an Integrated Graphics Frequency of 850MHz what is this about, and how does it effect my graphics card?

Next it says it is 4 threads, what is a thread and how does that help me?

Finally how are these for overclocking, can you still do it easily?

Thanks guys!
Jcb33.

 

[DragonQ]

A "2.8 GHz CPU" runs as 2.8 GHz. That's its clock frequency.

Turbo mode allows the CPU to run faster if necessary. To be honest, the advertising of CPU clock speeds is really stupid right now - a 2.8 GHz i5-2300 will run at 1.6 GHz when not doing much (SpeedStep, to save energy & money), 3.1 GHz if one core is under load, 3.0 GHz if two/three cores are under load and 2.9 GHz if all four cores are under load. To me that should be advertised as 2.9-3.1 GHz but whatever.

Sandy Bridge CPUs have IGPs (integrated graphics processors). They have specs (like core speed, RAM speed, number of shaders, etc.) just like separate graphics cards do. If you're using an H61 or H67 chipset, you can use this IGP. If you're using a P67 chipset, you cannot (but you can overclock "K" series CPUs with this chipset, like the i5-2500K). If you have a separate graphics card, the IGP is basically irrelevant.

The i5-2300 is quad core CPU, meaning it can run 4 "threads" (parts of a program, essentially) simultaneously. This generally helps with multitasking but it also allows heavily threaded applications (like x264 video encoding) to run much quicker since they can use all of the cores at once.

The i5-2300 cannot be overclocked. You need an i5-2500K or (i7-2600K) and a motherboard with a P67 chipset to do that.

 

[Martini1991]

Intel locked out overclocking to two models, the 2500k and the 2600k.
As an elaboration on the OC'ing with Sandy Bridge.

It's an oversight, because what about those who want a clarkdale replacement? I'm sure a 4GHZ clarkdale would outperform a stock 2100 for example

 

[jcb33]

Thanks DragonQ that makes it much clearer, and also makes sense, why have a 2.8Ghz CPU going when all you are doing is surfing the web!

Also Martini1991 thanks, that is a bit rubish that you can only have one model, is it actualy worth stumping up the extra for a P67 Mobo and 2500K i5?

Thanks,
Jcb33.