Is 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 as fast as core 2 duo?

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Level 3

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Is 1.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 as fast as core 2 duo?

My old 2010 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor mac mini with 8 GB of RAM is failing. I want to get a new one, but I want to spend the very minimum. I need 8G, so I was looking at the bottom of the line 1.4GHz, adding the 8G upgrade (can't believe moving from 4G to 8G is $100, but that's another issue). My question is, will the 1.4GHz dual-core i5 be AS FAST or better than my old 2010?

Thanks

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 2010 Intel Core 2 Duo / 8GB RAM

Posted on Jun 2, 2017 3:40 PM

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Answer 1

Jun 3, 2017 4:42 AM in response to Alfredo Jahn

Clock speed does not always equate to performance when

comparing apples to oranges as in this case.

Although that Mini has a slower "clock speed", it has a more efficient

processor and a higher speed memory bus (means data moves faster in

and out of CPU). The 2014 Mini memory bus is 1600 MHz while the

2010 is 1066 MHz (~60% faster).

FWIW, Geekbench score comparisons (https://browser.primatelabs.com/mac-benchmarks):

Single Core Multi Core

2010 Mini 2.4GHz 1588 2452

2014 Mini 1.4GHz 2993 5291

With that said, depending on your intended use (current or future) you may still

want to opt for a higher horsepower model (personally I would regardless of use).

To save a few bucks, also check out the Apple Refurbished Minis

(Refurbished Mac - Apple). They all get a full Apple warranty and

are eligible for AppleCare as well.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

90,946 points

Jun 2, 2017 5:36 PM in response to Alfredo Jahn

How is or why do you think that your 2010 is failing...?

I upgraded our 2010 Mac Mini with 8GB of RAM to an SSD a few years back. It has no problems running the latest macOS Sierra, Safari or opening large Photo and Music libraries.

FWIW if your into computer DIY, you can easily upgrade the HDD to an SSD.

(240GB SSD's go for around a $100 and 480GB SSD's go for around $150)

see > Mac Mini Unibody Repair - iFixit

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Answer 3

Alfredo Jahn Author

Level 3

929 points

Jun 3, 2017 6:01 AM in response to woodmeister50

woodmeister50,

Thanks for this info. I did find a great deal on Amazon, $100 off the price, and it's Prime.

The mini is in the back room. It was originally the "kid's" computer. We have a nice iMac in the dining room, that is our "main" computer. I have a macbook pro. The mini is located in an area where we have room for the laser printer and scanner. It is where the ISP's router is located. One kid is now in college and has his own macbook Air, so he doesn't use the mini any more. The last kid who will be a high school senior next year, just got a macbook Air for Christmas, so he uses that most of the time. The mini was where he has done most of his "music" over the year. It still has Logic Express 8 and thousands of original music projects. This is mainly the reason to keep it (on Snow Leopard). He has been converting some of his projects to his macbook, which has Sierra and the latest version of Logic Pro X. I think he just likes having access to all his old projects. If I get a new mini, all bets are off. He will no longer be able to run Snow Leopard and Logic Express. I think he is ok with that reality. Eventually he will be leaving for college and taking the macbook, so the mini will only be used as a print server. That is why I was thinking of getting the 1.4 and 8G. But now that I see this deal on Amazon, I think I will go with the 2.4 with 8G for $599. This is the same price as a 1.4 with the 8G upgrade, so it's a no-brainer.

Thanks for your info though...

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