what is quad core processor?

[Abdikafi]

are all core i series quad-core processors? or what is quad-core processor?  someone asked me to buy him a desktop with a quad core processor, I tried to buy it from computer shops but all they show me is core i5 or core i7. 

could you please help me understand this? and forgive for my ignorance. 

Thank you in advance!

Abdikafi

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

This link will explain what a quad core processor is.

https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/quad-core-processor

I suggest you ask a sales person if the PC you are interested in has a dual core, or quad core processor.

Some core i5 processors are dual core, and some are quad core.

I believe all i7 processors are quad core.

[Abdikafi]

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

Hi:

This link will explain what a quad core processor is.

https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/quad-core-processor

I suggest you ask a sales person if the PC you are interested in has a dual core, or quad core processor.

Some core i5 processors are dual core, and some are quad core.

I believe all i7 processors are quad core.

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Thanks, Paul.  So Quad Core is not a specific processor, is that correct? 

[Paul_Tikkanen · Accepted solution]

You're very welcome.

It is not a specific processor per se.  It is a quad core processor model series.

As I posted earlier...I believe all Intel i7 core processors are quad cores.

Some i5 processors are only dual core processors, while some are quad core processors.

What you can do is get the model number of the processor advertised in a PC you are interested in and look it up at the link below for its specs...enter the info in the Search Specifications window on the upper right side of the page.

It will tell you if it is a dual core or quad core processor along with a lot of other info.

https://ark.intel.com/

[DGroves]

a quad core processor is one that has four physical cores, some quad core cpu's also support hyperthreading which adds 4 more "virtual" cores through software.

 note the destinction between physical and software cores when shopping, as some resellers will advertise a dual core with hyperthreading as a quad core (which it's not)

[Abdikafi]

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@Paul_Tikkanen wrote:

You're very welcome.

It is not a specific processor per se.  It is a quad core processor model series.

As I posted earlier...I believe all Intel i7 core processors are quad cores.

Some i5 processors are only dual core processors, while some are quad core processors.

What you can do is get the model number of the processor advertised in a PC you are interested in and look it up at the link below for its specs...enter the info in the Search Specifications window on the upper right side of the page.

It will tell you if it is a dual core or quad core processor along with a lot of other info.

https://ark.intel.com/

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Thanks again for the great advice. understood! 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Glad to have been of assistance.

[Abdikafi]

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@DGroves wrote:

a quad core processor is one that has four physical cores, some quad core cpu's also support hyperthreading which adds 4 more "virtual" cores through software.

 note the destinction between physical and software cores when shopping, as some resellers will advertise a dual core with hyperthreading as a quad core (which it's not)

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Got it. Thanks.