1st gen Core i3/i5 CPUs are called "Clarkdale".
- Inexpensive laptops uses the Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics core inside the chipset. Not ideal for games.
2nd gen Core i3/i5 CPUs are called "Sandy Bridge".
- Generally, speaking clock for clock they are on average 10% faster than their 1st gen counterparts. For example a Sandy Bridge Core i3 @ 2.0GHz is about the equivalent to a Clarkdale Core i3 @ 2.2GHz.
- The graphics core is built into the CPU. Low end Core i3/i5 CPUs will have the Intel HD 2000 graphics core; about 40% - 50% better performance than the Intel GMA 4500MHD. Higher end Sandy Bridge Core i3/i5 CPUs will have the Intel HD 3000 graphics core; around 2x better than the Intel GMA 4500MHD or slightly better than the desktop...