Why do people think i3's are quad core?

[BPRSM]

Today, one of my Skype contacts wrote this:

I was shocked by this as this person had built there own PC.

I also found this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intel-SandybridgeCore-Quad-Core-Processor-Warranty/dp/B004FA8NPK

Which also shocked me as it had a question mark after the "quad core" bit.

So why on earth do people think i3's are quad core, they have hyperthreading, which isn't 2 more cores.

 

[Feronix]

Because of the hyperthreading Windows sees and uses it like a quad core. Maybe the things like the Windows Experience Index and DXDIAG will tell them that it has 4 cores?

Maybe someone with a hyperthreaded i3 can confirm this

 

[BPRSM]

Because of the hyperthreading Windows sees and uses it like a quad core. Maybe the things like the Windows Experience Index and DXDIAG will tell them that it has 4 cores?

Maybe someone with a hyperthreaded i3 can confirm this

Good point, but for someone that's built there own PC must know a thing or two about them, enough to realize that an i3 is dual core?

Edit: I forgot to mention the fact amazon got it wrong too.

 

[Feronix]

Some people prefer to believe information given by their pc or the internet rather than what the manufacturer says... Sad but true.

I just realised that I have an i3 3225 system somewhere downstairs, I could hook it up tomorrow and check DXDIAG just to be sure

 

[BPRSM]

Some people prefer to believe information given by their pc or the internet rather than what the manufacturer says... Sad but true.

I just realised that I have an i3 3225 system somewhere downstairs, I could hook it up tomorrow and check DXDIAG just to be sure

This might save you a bit of time tomorrow, I have a i3 laptop that I done it on, this is what it says:

 

[Feronix]

Yep! And that is the one and only reason; because Windows says that it's a quad core, any software that you use will tell you the same. Can imagine that it makes some people believe that it is actually true...

 

[yassarikhan786]

It's just two physical cores with two virtual. Windows shows each virtual core in addition to each physical core. So a dual core i3 with HT appears as a quad core to windows :/

 

[SPS]

Lol on the amazon link it has a question mark after the quad core.