i7 is 25% faster than Core Duo clock per clock... so yeah its more than ok for this sim... and possibly SOW
As for SOW pushing the i7... probably it will bring it to its knees if all the bells and whistles are turned on... remember they build a sim that can last 5-10 years....
Read here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...alem,2057.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...ming,2061.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...e-i7,2063.html