[Theresonly1]

So what is the latest cpu processor in the market currently?

I know:

pre pentium 4 cpus
pentium 4
dual core
core duo
core 2 duo
Quad Core
2 Quad Core
& then there's i7 which i think is just been release recently not long ago.

Is that all? So where do they all fit in terms of order of market appearance & how good they are?

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Carbons you're man for this but I'll just say:

latest is the i7, and also "the best" - it uses a new type of socket, the LGA1366 imaginitivly named from it's 1,366 pins that connect it to the mobo.

Other than that you can't really compare much, because it depennds on speeds as well..

A fast Duo can be better than a Quad (depending on usage)

Theres also the Xtreme range, which is like a sub range within duo and quad.

And it's also worth remembering that you're list is only the Intel CPU's.

And over to Carbon -
()

[thingie2]

I'll jump in here too, seeing as I'm around for a bit again

Like Ollie said, your list is only consisting of Intel CPU's, but I'll list those in order on newest (but remember newest doesn't automaticly make it better for what you want)

• Core i7 - the newest Intel, and probably the fastest CPU out there, but they cost a lot, and require specific motherboards, and also require DDR3 RAM which is expensive, with little performance gain. Due to all this, these are not recommended, unless you have a lot of money to burn, and there is nothing else you might want to spend money on in the future.
• Core 2 Quad - they are again, not recommended for most people, however for different reasons, such as a higher clocked dual core CPU will out perform a lower clocked quad, due to the majority of programs being unable to use all the cores effectively.
• Core 2 Duo - the most widely recommended CPU, for the reasons explained for the quad.
• Pentium dual core - Not recommended unless you are on a real tight budget, and even then, best wait a little whilst and buy a core 2 duo, as they are far better.
• Celeron, Pentium D, Pentium 4, Pentium 3 and before - Don't go near them with a barge pole, they aren't worth it any more, so much so, not many retailers sell them any more, and those that do will just be trying to shift old stock.

Those are the desktop CPU's, however there are laptop specific CPU's that are not mentioned there, such as the Atom, Pentium M etc.

If your looking to build a PC though, I advise you to have a look through this topic. It's very good, but of course, feel free to let us know if there are any other questions you have.

EDIT: I didn't add anything about AMD CPU's as I'm not so familiar with them, however there is AMD CPU's mentioned in the thread I linked for you, but until recently, Intel have been a much better choice than AMD, but with the latests AMD CPU's, the gap has closed a lot in some spaces.

@Ollie: Your right about the naming of the socket LGA 1366 because it has 1366 pins, but that's also how LGA755 got it's name

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Originally Posted by thingie2

@Ollie: Your right about the naming of the socket LGA 1366 because it has 1366 pins, but that's also how LGA755 got it's name

Yeah, they're on a very imaginitave naming spree I must say..

It's a huge jump though don't you think?! Almost double the connections.

But it is easily explained (if you have the time and energy) as the architecture is completely different, and they've even done away with the FSB, replacing it with a much faster alternative - the Intel QuickPath Interconnect. And let's not also forget the re-introduction of Hyper-Threading, to name just a few features.

(I must admit I'm very tempted, although I really don't need it.. per se..)

[thingie2]

Originally Posted by 4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie

(I must admit I'm very tempted, although I really don't need it.. per se..)

It's the same with me, I've speced up a core i7 with 2 SSD, 12GB RAM, GTX285 etc, but it comes to about £1300, and I need a bigger monitor too, maybe if I save any cash left over from grants etc from Uni next year, I might treat myself to a similar build (but with whatever is new at the time) Even though it is highly idiotic as it won't be twice as good as a Core 2 system at £600, but I'm strange like that.

Also, there is meant to me a new socket coming out for the i5's I think, can't remember what it is off the top of my head, but it's once again named after the number of pins

[Carbon]

i5 is..even I can't remember. Let's just call it Socket "Probably A Good Deal".

Everyone's covered all the Intel stuff, so I'll just butt in about AMD: AMD processors are right now much better as far as price/perf goes. The E8400 is like the GTX 275 to AMD's 4890: it's similar to the X3 720 and beats it in some things, but usually it doesn't and the 720 is a lot cheaper.

For budget, 7750+. For midrange, X3 720. For quad stuff, the Phenom IIs usually beat the C2Qs. AMD is winning right now in price/perf, maybe not so much market mostly because the market has been with Intel for so long and people are reluctant to switch over.

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Originally Posted by Carbon

AMD is winning right now in price/perf, maybe not so much market mostly because the market has been with Intel for so long and people are reluctant to switch over.

Trouble with it is that if you switch over, you switch mobos as well.. which may in turn mean changing ram and graphics too if its an old system. So its no wonder people don't bother to switch without good reason - it won't actually end up saving you any money.

PS
I googled the i5's socket: LGA1155, 1156 and 1157

Don't get why there's three, but my guess is it's something to do with utilising extra features?

Or maybe it's just unconfirmed as of yet.

EDIT* I've also found a result now saying LGA1160.. I don't know what's going on..

Intel is expected to launch new Nehalem based processors later this year, which will also mark the debut of new LGA sockets. The global leading chip maker is expected to announce the arrival of the new LGA 1155, 1156 and 1567, and on that note, a couple of leaked photos have made their way on the Internet, displaying the design features of what is said to be Intel's next-generation sockets for upcoming Core i5 and Xeon processors.

It's a shame they won't be including QPI or HT in the i5, I would definatly go for it then.. but as it is I'll just save and wait for i7 to come down in a couple of years.. or just see how the land lies then.

[thingie2]

well LGA1160 defiantly rings a bell, but there could well be more than one socket, if they intend to do server versions of the i5s or the i7s they would have different sockets (like LGA775 is mainstream, and LGA771 is servers)