1st generation Core i3 processors were introduced in 2010 to replace the Core 2 processors that preceded them. 1st generation core i3 processors were based on the Nehalem architecture. 2nd generation Core i3 processors were introduced on 2011. There were 4 Core i3 processors introduced in this series, where three of them were mobile processors.
First generation Intel Core i3 processors
First generation Core i3 processors were introduced in 2010 and they were based on the Intel’s Nehalem architecture. The first Core i3, which was brand named Core i3-5xx was a Clarkdale based processor with two cores, an integrated GPU and 4 MB L3 cache. Core i3-3xxM mobile processor was an Arrandale based processor with a 3 MB L3 cache. Core i3 processers are considered to be the cheapest low end processors when compared to the other members of the 1st generation family, which are Core i5 and Core i7. Both mobile and desktop versions of this processor are available with dual cores and support the Intel’s hyper-threading technology, which allows the supported operating systems to see each physical core as two virtual processors. This improves the performance in multi-threaded applications. But, Core i3 processors do not support the Intel’s Turbo Boost technology, which allows the processor to dynamically increase CPU clock speed when needed. All the Core i3 family processors have integrated Intel HD Graphics.
2nd Generation Intel Core i3 Processors
2nd generation Core i3 processors were introduced in 2011 and these are based on the Intel’s Sandy Bridge architecture, which is 32nm microarchitecture. These are the first Core i3 processors to integrate the processor, memory controller and graphics on the same die, making the package comparatively smaller. 2nd generation Core i3 family includes 3 desktop processors and one mobile processor. 2nd generation Core i3 processors include several new features to enhance graphics performance. Intel Quick Sync Video enables faster video transcoding by performing encoding in hardware. Intel InTru 3D / Clear Video HD allow playing stereoscopic 3D and HD content on a TV using HDMI. WiDi 2.0 enables streaming of full HD with the 2nd generation processors. Additionally, 2nd generation Core i3 processors include Intel® Smart Cache, where the cache is dynamically allocated to each processor core depending on the workload. This gives a significant reduction in latency and improves performance.
What is the difference between Intel Core i3 and 2nd Generation Intel Core i3 Processors?
Intel introduced the 1st generation Core i3 processors in 2010 and the 2nd generation Core i3 processors in 2011. The 2nd generation Core i3 processors are built on the Intel’s Sandy Bridge architecture, which is 32nm microarchitecture, while 1st generation Core i3 processors were built on Intel’s Nehalem architecture. Additionally, 2nd generation Core i3 processors include new features for improving the graphics performance of the processors such as Intel Quick Sync Video, Intel InTru 3D / Clear Video HD and WiDi 2.0 that were not available in 1st generation Core i3 processors.