Threads/processors - how are they allocated?

[idata]

Can anyone explain to me how the core i5 and corei7 decides on the allocation of threads/processors according to workload??

If I have quad core/8 threads when do the jobs get split across multiple threads/processors?

If I have multiple applications running how do threads and processors get allocated to applications??

I am looking to buy a new dell laptop with core i5 or core i7 processor but am unsure if it is better to have a i5 with faster base speed (dual core/4 threads) but higher more power usage or an i7 with lower base speed (quad core/8 threads) and longer battery life???

I am not gaming but have many apps running simultaneously (8-10 tabs in IE8, couple of office apps, itunes, nokia, outlook).

[idata]

Intel regularly holds Live Chat sessions where you can ask questions to their in-house experts on different emerging technologies. One such event solely on the new line of Core processors is slated to take place during the last week of February. I reckon you should put this question there for a complete answer. http://intellivechat.com/edm.html http://intellivechat.com/http://intellivechat.com/edm.html facebook.html

http://intellivechat.com/edm.html http://intellivechat.com/edm.htmlGood luck.

[idata]

The operating system in a client OS tries to spread the task out the the physical processor first then the virtual ones, if you watch the load on a percore basis then the tend to jsut dance around over all the cores.

If you don't expect to be doing much in the way of heavy processing of video and the like, then and i5 with it's higher base speed and turbo will be a better match to your workloads.