Dual Core: This is without a doubt one of the best Intel processors, however it lacks the bite in terms of performance, when pitted against the much more advanced core 2 duo. Core 2 Duo: This newer processor beats the dual core in all bench-marking tests and therefore performance-wise, is definitely the better pick. The Core i3 is a newer processor, so if you can get it for about the same price, I think you should for the i3. I've read that it gives better battery life as well. Also, because it's newer, it should be more 'future-proof' and able to handle newer software better, later down the road.

I have a 24' imac with core 2 duo 2.66GHZ and 4GB of mem. Running logic 9.1.4we have just taken delivery of a new imac. A refurb'd 21.5' i3 3.06GHZ with 4 GB ram.This is going to replace my wifes imac, whichn then goes off to my daughter.I have spent a couple of hours searching the net.and cant really find my answer.thought someone here might have been down the same path.I am wondering, if I would be better off placing the new i3 21.5' imac in my studio and giving the missus my 24' core 2 duo.Do you think there would be much of a performance increase? I recently started some test projects at 96KHz (i usually use 44.1) and I noticed that its making me starting to freeze tracks.which is not a biggie.and my 24 ' is functioning well.Just thinking.

Because I have to set up a couple of machines anyways, would it be worth swapping them all around.Also, anyone gone from 24' to 21.5' and how much of an impact did the reduction in screen size have on your workflow?I know its a bit of an inane question.but as I said.I cant even find a video on youtube or anywhere else, that I could compare the screen sizes running logic let alone.performance results differences.cheers and thanksWiz. If less screen real estate doesn't bother you, you definitely gonna benefit from a newer and faster CPU.Always remember to save your projects to an external FW800 drive to take load off the internal drive.thanks for your reply.I have always just run my projects from the internal drive.

Intel Core I3 Vs Core 2 Duo

Duo

I havent encountered any issues,as yet. But then again, my largest projects would be no more than 20 audio tracks, and maybe 1 or 2 virtual instruments (B4 II and maybe a rhodes).I never see my disc activity in Logics meters get very high at all, CPU is another thing now I am trying 96KHz.cheersWiz. If you're going the 96k route, you're definitely gonna choke the internal HD.It's a good habit to have your projects on another drive.

If your system crashes or hard drive dies, God forbid, you're gonna loose it all.thanks for the reply.I have an external USB disc, that I keep copies of projects on. And I also run time machine.I never see much disc I/O on the meter in logic.except when initally pressing play.Do I really need an external FW drive?If I am running small (relatively ) track count projects, as I mentioned.max of 20.verses someone running larger track counts at 44.1?cheers and thanksWiz.

Remember that audio files get loaded into Ram. Once that's full it will start streaming from the HD.Hmmmm? Regular audio files are not loaded into RAM, they stream directly from the HD. Only Apple Loops, Samples (or sometimes just their attacks), Follow Tempo and Flexed audio files are loaded into RAM.Its interesting I just ran a project at 96Khz from an external usb 2 drive. The disk meter in logic sits at say 60%.When I run the same project off the internal, the disk meter is way down, maybe 10%.I dont think I have any performace issue, running at 96Khz off the internal drive.The point about reliability is well taken though. Better to hammer and external than the internal.cheersWiz.

Duo

Architecturex86-64x86-64Threads24L2 cache6 MB0.5 MBL2 cache per core3 MB/core0.25 MB/coreManufacture process45 nm22 nmMax CPUs11Clock multiplier933Operating temperatureUnknown - 72.4°CUnknown - 65.3°CoverclockingOverclock popularity3350Overclocked clock speed4.46 GHz3.43 GHzOverclocked clock speed (Water)4.42 GHz3.46 GHzOverclocked clock speed (Air)4.46 GHz3.43 GHzintegrated graphicsGPUNoneGPULabelN/AIntel® HD Graphics 2500Number of displays supportedN/A3GPU clock speedN/A650 MHzTurbo clock speedN/A1,050 MHzbusArchitectureFSBDMINumber of links11.