In Reply to: tech question (intel cpu's) posted by Wondering on March 06, 2010 at 13:41:14:

Here's a simplified answer ...

Dual Core is a generic term meaning 2 CPUs cores on one physical CPU.

Quad Core similarly 4 cores on one CPU.

Core 2 Duo is Intel's 2nd generation dual core line. Different architecture, uses less power, slightly more performance.

And of course there are many variations in the
dual core and quad core lines (clock speed, cache, etc.)

The i3,5,7 line basically a rebranding by Intel
on newer architecture generations to simplify things (well, that's what they thought) for the
consumer ... i7 is better than i5 is better than i3.

i3= dual core
i5= dual or quad core depending on version
i7= quad core

Again there are different versions with each i family varying in clock speed, number of thready, cache. etc.

To make a comparison you need the exact details
of the CPU model ... there are many comparison
sites ... just google on "CPU comparison"