How much better is the 2.8gHz i7 than the 2.4gHz i5?

[tectactoe]

I don't know too much about computer hardware, so bear with me

I don't play many games or anything... I use my computer mostly for MSOffice, some CAD work, browsing the web, and watching movies/Netflix.

Would I notice a difference between the 2.8gHz i7 processor and the 2.4gHz i5 processor in the 13" MBPs? I'd like to go for a 256 gb SSD, but being so expensive, it'd be nice if I could opt for the lower-end MBP.... The only different I notice between the low and high end 13" MBP is the processor...

So basically, what on the computer does the processor speed effect? And would I notice any difference between these two??

Thanks!

EDIT: should have clarified, those are both dual core.

 

[heisenberg123]

I don't know too much about computer hardware, so bear with me

I don't play many games or anything... I use my computer mostly for MSOffice, some CAD work, browsing the web, and watching movies/Netflix.

Would I notice a difference between the 2.8gHz i7 processor and the 2.4gHz i5 processor in the 13" MBPs? I'd like to go for a 256 gb SSD, but being so expensive, it'd be nice if I could opt for the lower-end MBP.... The only different I notice between the low and high end 13" MBP is the processor...

So basically, what on the computer does the processor speed effect? And would I notice any difference between these two??

Thanks!

EDIT: should have clarified, those are both dual core.

whats the price difference?

 

[GermanyChris]

I don't know too much about computer hardware, so bear with me

I don't play many games or anything... I use my computer mostly for MSOffice, some CAD work, browsing the web, and watching movies/Netflix.

Would I notice a difference between the 2.8gHz i7 processor and the 2.4gHz i5 processor in the 13" MBPs? I'd like to go for a 256 gb SSD, but being so expensive, it'd be nice if I could opt for the lower-end MBP.... The only different I notice between the low and high end 13" MBP is the processor...

So basically, what on the computer does the processor speed effect? And would I notice any difference between these two??

Thanks!



EDIT: should have clarified, those are both dual core.

In handbrake you might notice a difference. For general useage no you won't notice any.

 

[tectactoe]

Well, the price difference is $1099 vs $1399 (USD) for the low vs. high end MBP 13" models. And like I said, the only difference I can see between them is the processor (and the HDD, but I'm upgrading to SSD anyway, so its irrelevant).

I'm not sure what Handbrake is.... is it that video file converter? Is that all the processor speed is good for? I'm not really sure what a processor DOES in terms of performance/speed, etc.

 

[cambookpro]

Well, the price difference is $1099 vs $1399 (USD) for the low vs. high end MBP 13" models. And like I said, the only difference I can see between them is the processor (and the HDD, but I'm upgrading to SSD anyway, so its irrelevant).

I'm not sure what Handbrake is.... is it that video file converter? Is that all the processor speed is good for? I'm not really sure what a processor DOES in terms of performance/speed, etc.

Handbrake encodes videos. It can be used for a number of purposes, from making iPhone sized films to ripping DVDs.

If you weren't intent on heavy video editing, video encoding, gaming, or working with things like RAW files in Photoshop, I'd opt for the lower end MBP and then upgrade to the SSD like you suggested.

Chances are that you'd notice a bigger speed increase with the SSD anyway if you weren't planning on doing anything processor intensive. Generally files will load quicker, boot time will be faster etc.

 

[snaky69]

Well, the price difference is $1099 vs $1399 (USD) for the low vs. high end MBP 13" models. And like I said, the only difference I can see between them is the processor (and the HDD, but I'm upgrading to SSD anyway, so its irrelevant).

I'm not sure what Handbrake is.... is it that video file converter? Is that all the processor speed is good for? I'm not really sure what a processor DOES in terms of performance/speed, etc.

Not anything you'd notice in day to day usage. Only on very CPU intensive stuff: Ripping video, rendering images in photoshop, rendering CAD work or rendering in final cut would all be things that would benefit from a faster processor.

The rest... not so much.

 

[Mojo1]

Taking into consideration how you use your computer, I don't see you getting enough value from upgrading to an i7. The speed increase is less than 10%, which is unnoticeable except in software speed tests.

I also suggest that you wait to upgrade the HD until you have an opportunity to use the stock drive for awhile. Is it really worth the money for the following benefits? (Copied from another MR post)

It launches applications faster. It saves your ass to a degree when you're short on ram. It boots up faster. If you're working in a heavier application that can really benefit from cpu power while not constrained by ram in any way (as in the system isn't having to shuffle things around to make it work) the SSD won't do anything for you. It's been tested many times. For the people who are just opening up their laptop to quickly check email or do various short tasks, it makes a much bigger difference.

If you absolutely feel a need to do the above things 50% quicker, then go with an SSD. But you may find that the stock drive is quick enough for the way you do things...

Upgrading the RAM to 8GB will be a lot less expensive and provide real benefits.

 

[gorskiegangsta]

You'll see a speed increase of 10% in processor intensive tasks (i.e. heavy photo processing, HD video encoding or mid-high end games). In everyday tasks you won't notice any difference at all. My advice, Get the base 2.4GHz, add an SSD to the mix and it'll fly.

 

[Adamantoise]

I don't know too much about computer hardware, so bear with me

I don't play many games or anything... I use my computer mostly for MSOffice, some CAD work, browsing the web, and watching movies/Netflix.

Would I notice a difference between the 2.8gHz i7 processor and the 2.4gHz i5 processor in the 13" MBPs? I'd like to go for a 256 gb SSD, but being so expensive, it'd be nice if I could opt for the lower-end MBP.... The only different I notice between the low and high end 13" MBP is the processor...

So basically, what on the computer does the processor speed effect? And would I notice any difference between these two??

Thanks!

EDIT: should have clarified, those are both dual core.

You won't notice squat. If you are encoding or decoding movie files, is waiting an extra minute an option for you? Because generally speaking that's the difference we're talking about.

 

[tectactoe]

Okay, thank you everybody. I don't really do much (if any) photo editing or rendering, and if I do, it's nothing very CPU intensive LOL. Also, I don't really play PC games.