Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors: what's the difference and which is better? Which computer is better than Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7

Recently, I am often asked the same question: “ Which is better to take: a high-frequency Core i3 coupled with more efficient discrete graphics or an entry-level Core i5, but with a less powerful graphics card?"In the monthly column" Computer of the Month "I now and then push to buy a" true "quad-core processor. The reasoning is simple, it is based on three logical conclusions. Firstly, the Core i5 will last for a long time, since it will become outdated much later than any video card. Secondly, the chip and the platform as a whole are changed the least of all. Finally, thirdly, a large number of games have been released that use more than two threads of the central processor. Still, it's 2016. At the numerous requests of the workers, I made a small experiment. I hope this material will fully answer the sore question.

Iron experiment: Core i3 vs Core i5 in games

About choosing a processor

An interesting situation. Users who give preference to one or another processor are divided into two parts. One half thinks the dual-core Core i3 is purely an office chip. Using it in gaming assemblies is blasphemy and profanation. Others are sure that there is no point in overpaying for a quad-core Core i5, because four Core i3 threads "drag" be healthy! The money raised, as already stated, is better spent on a more productive video card.

A slow Core i5 is 4-5 thousand rubles more expensive than a fast Core i3

From the point of view of economy, Core i3 (against the background of the older line) looks more attractive. Let's say I have 50,000 rubles. And I need to convert them to a gaming system unit. With Core i3-4170, I can afford to take a video card of the level of GeForce GTX 970. The cheapest 4-core - Core i5-4460 - costs 4-5 thousand rubles more. Having additionally saved on the motherboard, I still cannot meet the agreed budget. You will either have to add some money, or take an adapter of the level of GeForce GTX 960 (Radeon R9 380 / 380X). The choice is not easy.

Building with Core i3

Modern Core i3 processors (Skylake and Haswell) have achieved very high frequencies. This experiment was carried out using a Core i3-6100 model that operates at 3.7 GHz. A very high figure with a TDP of only 54 W. As you know, due to the Hyper-threading technology, two physical cores additionally have two virtual ones. Therefore, games that require a minimum of a 4-core processor run smoothly on systems with Core i3. The cheapest Skylake with true four cores - the Core i5-6400 - costs $ 65 more than the Core i3-6100. The "fifth" operates at a very low (in comparison with the opponent) frequency of 2.7 GHz. Turbo Boost technology increases this parameter, but only up to 3.3 GHz for one core, and for four - only up to 3.1 GHz. So which is better?

Intel Core i5-6400

Testing

Test stand:

• Processors: Intel Core i3-6100, 3.7 GHz; Intel Core i5-6400, 2.7 GHz
• Cooling: Noctua NH-U9S
• Motherboard: ASUS Z170 PRO GAMING
• RAM: DDR4-2133, 4x 4GB
• Video Cards: AMD Radeon R9 380 , 4 GB; AMD Radeon R9 NANO , 4 GB
• Storage: SSD, 480 GB
• Peripherals: monitor LG 31MU97
• Operating system: Windows 10 x64

I note right away that a comparison of the Core i3-6100 with the Core i5-6400 will approximately show how things will be in other pairs of processors of the corresponding lines. For example, between the models Core i3-4160 / 4170/4330/4350/4360/4370 and Core i5-4440 / 4460/4590 /, which, judging by my observations, are selling well even in 2016. I have already written in detail about the choice of a central processor for a gaming computer and processor dependence in general. In this material - a special case on the example of 15 modern games. "Dotka", "counter" and "tanks" are not considered, as for such games Core i3 is enough with the head.

All games (with the exception of Rise of the Tomb Raider) were run at maximum graphics quality settings in Full HD resolution, but without anti-aliasing. The adventures of polygonal Lara Croft in Mother Russia were tested with the High preset, since the program is very demanding on the amount of video memory. The booths used the Radeon R9 380 and Radeon R9 Nano adapters. The first is as an example of a fairly popular representative of the Middle-end class. In terms of performance, it is similar to the GeForce GTX 960 accelerator, which currently ranks third in the list of configurations for Steam users. The second video card is a full-fledged High-end. In theory, the Radeon R9 Nano needs a really powerful processor to unleash its own potential.

Let's start with the Radeon R9 380. This 3D accelerator "pulls" most games at maximum graphics quality, but without abuse of antialiasing modes and other tricks. For example, NVIDIA HairWorks and others like him. “Pulls” - that is, it gives out a conditionally playable minimum of 30 frames per second. No strong drawdowns and friezes. What do we see in the chart below? Out of 15 games, the stand with Core i3-6100 on board did not "pull out" only two. These are GTA V and Tom Clancy's The Division. In the second game, the video card choked on its own. The processor has nothing to do with it (with the Core i5-6400, the same situation is observed).

And yet, processor dependence is observed in some games even with the Radeon R9 380. This is clearly seen in games such as GTA V, The Witcher 3, Need For Speed, Star Wars: Battlefront and Battlefield 4. The last three are based on the popular Frostbite engine. ... EA loves him. Mass Effect Andromeda and Mirror's Edge are coming soon. So the trend is already visible. Rockstar's bestseller reacted by increasing both average and minimum FPS. In other games on the stand with Core i5, the picture became smoother, as the minimum FPS increased noticeably: in the third Witcher by 29.6%, in Need For Speed \u200b\u200bby 30.7%, in Star Wars: Battlefront and Battlefield 4 - by 51.4% and 15.4%, respectively.

In 5 out of 15 games, the Core i5 outperformed the Core i3. In other applications, equality

There are games in which the Core i3-6100 performed better than the Core i5-6400. These are DiRT Rally and HITMAN in DirectX 12 mode (with DirectX 11, there is practically no difference between the processors). For the rest, parity is fixed between the processors.

And now the dry statistics:

• In 5 out of 15 games, the Core i5-6400 turned out to be better;
• In one (DiRT Rally, HITMAN in DirectX 12 mode I don't take into account) out of 15 games, the Core i3-6100 turned out to be better;
• In 9 out of 15 games, relative equality is observed, since the performance "rested" on the capabilities of the video card.

As you know, statistics is the third degree of lies. Yes, the Core i5 performed better in five games. But of these, only in GTA V and Star Wars: Battlefront, the difference in the number of frames can really be called significant. So the Core i3 feels quite comfortable together with a video card of the Middle-end level.

Test results. Stand No. 1

Let's complicate the task for our "stones" by installing a faster Radeon R9 Nano in the stands. I must say right away that DirectX 12 again showed itself in all its "glory". HITMAN using a different graphics adapter kept crashing. At the same time, in DirectX 11 mode, the benchmark was stable. As a result, out of 15 applications I selected, the difference between the chips in question manifested itself again in five games. This time Battlefield 4 dropped out of the pool of processor-dependent games, but its place was taken by Dragon Age: Inquisition - another child of "frostbyte". DiRT Rally ran faster again on the Core i3 stand. Obviously, this game is affected by a noticeable difference in frequency. In other games, there is relative equality between processors.

This article provides a small comparison of i3 i5 i7 processors. Typical tasks for all Core series processors will also be briefly described. The names of processors from Intel vary so much that an ordinary user does not understand at all what one or another processor name means. Of course, in itself it carries its own meaning, but at first glance, this is a confusion of abbreviations and numbers.

Before buying a new processor from Intel, the reasonable question is what is the difference between the i3 i5 i7 processors. To understand all this, we can divide all the names of Core processors into two groups. The first, the most interesting for us, is the line (i3 / i5 / i7), and we will focus our attention on it. The rest of the name, including numbers and letters, shows us the distinctive features of a particular processor, which we will consider below.

There are a couple of main features in the Core series. The socket (socket for installing the processor) in the same generation will always be the same. You don't need a different motherboard for the same Core i3 than the i5 or i7. All processors have an integrated graphics core. The sixth generation Skylake we are reviewing uses 1151 sockets and integrated HD530 graphics.

Core i3

Although the i3 processors are the least powerful in the Core series, they are a great choice for everyday tasks. They have two physical cores, but Hyper-Threading technology mitigates this disadvantage. Hyper-Threading doubles the available processor threads by emulating 4 "virtual" cores. The L3 cache reaches 3-4 MB, depending on the specific model, and the frequencies range from 2.7 to 3.9 GHz. The processor can be purchased for $ 110-140.

He knows a little bit of everything, but he can’t do anything perfectly. The performance of these processors is enough for the responsiveness of the system, but heavy tasks like rendering or editing video on them will be a torment. They are fast enough to open up a modern graphics card so they can be used in entry-level gaming systems with a mid-range graphics card.

Core i5

Sitting exactly in the middle between the i3 and i7 lines, the i5 line processors have many of the latter features, while being quite energy efficient. This series lacks Hyper-Threading technology, but has 4 physical cores, Turbo Boost, and unlocked processor models for overclocking. The amount of L3 cache reaches 6MB (in desktop i5 models).

Turbo Boost allows a processor to temporarily increase the frequency of one or more cores under load by increasing power consumption and decreasing the processing power of other cores. In fact, this technology is a kind of overclocking of the physical core. Sixth Generation i5 frequencies range from 2.2 to 3.5 GHz, and prices range from $ 180 to $ 220

Core i7

At the top are the i7 processors. They have four logical cores like the i5 line. Hyper-Threading is also present, creating as many as 8 threads on 4 physical cores. These processors have the highest frequencies, reaching 4 GHz by default and 4.2 GHz in Turbo Boost. The i7 comes with 8MB of L3 cache and can be purchased from $ 300 to $ 340.

Although these processors are endowed with the highest performance, this is clearly more than enough for the average user. It is the processors of this line that will allow you to see by eye what the i3 i5 i7 processors differ in. I7 processors are great for programs that can take full advantage of all 8 threads. Despite this, many games to this day use only 4 cores. Even Photoshop wins in work with more than 2 cores only when using special filters and operations. If you do not work in Maya and Autodesk on a regular basis, you will see practically no gain, how and how the i3 i5 i7 differs in simple tasks.

Index values

A processor from any manufacturer has its own indices found in the remainder of the name after the manufacturer and product number. The larger the product ID, the more powerful the processor is. Letters T, U and Y designates processors designed for low power consumption. Kat the end designate processors with overclocking potential, and P indicates the presence of a less powerful graphics core. If you want a more detailed description of the indexes, take a look at the Intel website.

What should you buy?

Without going deep into all these notations, we can say that Core processors make it easy to determine which one is more suitable for you. This can be seen even from one symbol in the name of the line. The difference between the i3 i5 i7 lies in the processing power. Another difference between the i3 i5 i7 processors is the graphics core. In the i5 and i7 it is usually the same, but in the i3 it is weaker. Unfortunately, not all users think about the difference between the i3 i5 i7 and take a processor whose capabilities are simply not used, or vice versa.

For most users, the i5 will be fine with a good price-performance ratio. i3 will still be a great choice for budget assemblies, it is a good option for the money. If you are confident that heavy tasks will fall on the shoulders of your processor, such as rendering or editing large video files or modeling, then the capabilities of the Core i7 will completely satisfy you.

I think this article has clarified how the i3 i5 i7 processors are different. I hope this information will play a role in choosing a particular processor when purchasing.

In 2010, Intel introduced new processor brands - Core i3, i5, i7... This event was confusing for many users. This is because the company's goal was completely different - it wanted to offer a faster way to identify models of low, medium and high levels. Intel also wanted to convince users that Intel Core i7 is much better than the same i5, and this, in turn, is better than the i3. But this does not give an exact answer to the question, which processor is still better or what is the difference between Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors?

But there are still other differences that we will talk about.

Key points

Some users believe that the names i3, i5 and i7 are related to the number of cores in the processor, in fact they are not. These brands are randomly selected by Intel. Therefore, the chips of all these processors can have either two or four cores. There are also more powerful models for desktop computers that have more cores, and are superior to other processors in many respects.

So what are the differences between these three models?

Hyper-Threading

When processors were still in their infancy, they all had one core, executing only one set of instructions, namely a thread. The company was able to increase the number of computing operations by increasing the number of cores. Thus, the processor could do more work per unit of time.

The next goal of the company is to increase the optimization of such a process. For this they created the technology Hyper-Threadingallowing one core to execute multiple threads at the same time. For example, we have a processor with a 2-core chip that supports Hyper-Threading technology, then we can consider this processor as a four-core.

Turbo Boost

Previously, processors worked at one clock frequency, which was set by the manufacturer, in order to change this frequency to a higher one, people were engaged in overclocking (overclocking) processor. This type of activity requires special knowledge, without which, you can cause colossal damage to the processor or other computer components in a couple of moments.

Today, everything is completely different. Modern processors are equipped with technology Turbo Boostwhich allows the processor to operate at a variable clock speed. Thus, the energy efficiency and operating time of, for example, laptop and other mobile devices are improved.

Cache size

Processors tend to handle a lot of data. The operations performed can vary in volume and complexity, but it often happens that the processor needs to process the same information several times. To speed up this process, and especially the processor itself, such data is stored in a special buffer (cache memory). Therefore, the processor can retrieve such data almost instantly, without unnecessary load.

The amount of cache memory in different processors is calculated differently. For example, in a low-end processor - 3-4 MB, and in higher-end models - 6-12 MB.

Of course, the more cache memory, the better and faster the processor will perform, but this instruction is not suitable for all applications. For example, photo and video processing applications will use large amounts of cache memory. Therefore, the larger the cache size, the more efficient the applications will be.

For the simplest tasks, such as surfing the Internet or working in office programs, the cache is not so significant.

Intel processor types

Now let's consider the types of processors, namely the description of each of them.

Intel Core i3

What is suitable for: Regular, daily work with office applications, Internet browsing and high quality movies. For such processes, Core i3 is the best option.

Characteristic: This processor offers up to 2 cores and supports Hyper-Treading technology. True does not support Turbo Boost. Also, the processor has a fairly low power consumption, so such a processor is undoubtedly suitable for laptops.

Intel Core i5

What is suitable for: More intensive work, such as using video and photo editing programs, you can play many modern games, at low, medium and sometimes high settings.

Characteristic: This processor is used in both conventional desktop computers and laptops. Has from 2 to 4 cores, but does not support Hyper-Treading, but supports Turbo Boost.

Intel Core i7

CharacteristicA: At the moment, this chip is the highest grade. Has both 2 and 4 cores and support for Hyper-Treading and Turbo Boost.

We have reviewed brief characteristics of 3 types of processors, and now you can choose the best one for you.

Within the framework of this material, using the example of models of microprocessors with indices 8600K and 8700K, the CPU will be compared and an answer will be given to what technological features will also be considered and recommendations regarding their use will be given. In addition to this, there are reviews of PC owners based on the chip models and their real cost today.

Specialization. Appointment

Before we figure out how the i5 differs from the i7, let's find out the scope of use of the families of these microprocessors. Like the i5 - 8600K and the i7 - 8700K, they are designed for assembling high-performance modern computing systems. These include gaming PCs, work or graphics stations, computers for transcoding multimedia content, and even entry-level servers. The performance level of the chips in question is sufficient and allows you to run any software, including the most demanding, without any problems.

CPU specifications

Now let's look at the technical characteristics of these two microprocessors and, based on them, we will find the key differences in how the i5 differs from the i7. The i5-8600K and i7-8700K CPUs belong to the 8th generation of Intel chips based on the Core microarchitecture, code-named CoffeeLake. They are manufactured according to technological standards of 14 nm and are equipped with 6 computing units. The clock speed of the first of them can vary from 3.6 to 4.3 GHz, and the second - from 3.7 to 4.7 GHz. They also have a multiplier unlocked, and due to this, they can be overclocked.

An important difference between i5 - 8600K and i7 - 8700K is the organization of the cache. The first CPU has a third level of fast volatile memory equal to 9 MB, and the second - 12 MB. In terms of RAM, these two CPU models are identical. They can address 64GB of memory and are designed to work in conjunction with DDR4 modules. The recommended frequency of the latter is 2666 MHz. Also, the chips have an identical thermal package, which is equal to 95 W.

Technological features of microprocessors

Comparison of i5 and i7 indicates that the former does not support HT technology, while the latter can be activated by the CPU. Due to this, the i7 - 8700K microprocessor can process twelve logical streams of program code on six real cores. This allows you to get in some cases a performance increase of 10-12 percent. The only important nuance is software optimization. That is, he must use all twelve threads in the process. Today such software includes various packages for transcoding multimedia information.

Regarding the technology of automatically increasing the clock frequency of the TurboBoost microprocessor, it can be noted that it is supported by both the i5-8600K and the i7-8700K. Only in the second case, the algorithm of its work is more "rigid". That is, the first model of the CPU can automatically increase its frequency to 4.3 GHz, and the second - to 4.7 GHz. Therefore, the i7-8700K already has higher performance from the start. Moreover, this difference in some applications can be a solid 15%.

Stand configuration

Comparing the performance of the i7-8700K and i5-8600K is most correct with the i7-7700K, i5-7600K and Ryzen 1700X CPUs. Their cost and performance are comparable.

The test bench configuration includes the following components:

1. Motherboards Z270 (for chips 7 (for 8th generation CPU) and B350 (for AMD solution).
2. Branded cooler Thermalright Archon.
3. Graphics Accelerator GTX 1080 8Gb GDDR5.
4. DDR4 RAM with a nominal frequency of 2666 MHz, 2 modules of 8 GB.
5. 960 GB SSD storage.
6. Power supply unit for 1.2 kW.

Synthetic tests. Analysis of the obtained results

The i5 and i7 synthetic benchmarks show a slight advantage for the second family of CPUs. Moreover, the difference can reach a very solid 30 percent.

In the CineBench R15 utility in multi-threaded mode, the following results were obtained in conditional points:

1. 1700X - 1534.
2. 8700K - 1392.
3. 8600K - 1021.
4. 7700K - 969.
5. 7600K - 664.

The presence of 8 cores and 16 threads allows the AMD flagship to outrun its competitors from Intel without any problems. The difference between 8700K and 8600K is due to the HT technology, increased frequencies and an increased size of the L3 cache memory. For the same reason, the flagship processors of the previous generation are inferior to the heroes of this review. They have four physical cores and, due to this, lower performance.

But in the single-threaded CineBench R15 test, the situation changes as follows:

1. 8700K - 198.
2. 7700K - 194.
3. 8600K - 184.
4. 7600K - 173.
5. 1700X - 155.

In this case, only one computing core is used, and the higher its frequency, the higher the level of performance. Therefore, the leader is the 8700K, which can operate at 4.7 GHz. Then comes the 7700K at 4.5 GHz and the 8600K at 4.3 GHz. Next is the 7600K operating at 4.2 GHz. The outsiders in this test were 1700X from AMD. Its frequency is 4.2 GHz.

The advantage of i7 over i5 in multi-threaded software can reach 30%, and in single-threaded software this gap is reduced to 15%.

Game applications. Analysis of results

The performance of the i5 and i7 differs even less in gaming applications than in synthetic benchmarks. As a rule, such programs are optimized for one computing core. In rare cases, they can already use two such blocks. Therefore, the difference becomes even smaller.

In the game Dirt Rally, we got this number of fps at FullHD resolution and average image quality:

1. 8700K - 161 - 245.
2. 8600K - 149 - 230.
3. 7700K - 136 - 215.
4. 7600K - 134 - 206.
5. 1700X - 106 - 164.

The advantage of i7 chips over i5 CPU is 10-15 frames per second. In percentage terms, this difference will be equal to 6-8%. AMD flagship in this case again lags far behind. It has a low clock frequency and this is the main limiting factor that does not allow it to compete on equal terms with Intel microprocessors.

CPU cost

At the moment, the recommended cost for Intel Core i5 8600K is $ 257. The flagship by the manufacturer is priced at $ 359. But the choice in this case must be made, not based on the cost, but on the tasks that are planned to be implemented in the future on the assembled computing system.

The question of the differences between the processors of the Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7 family arises for most users when choosing a PC or laptop with the declared characteristics, as well as when upgrading an existing system. With completely identical technical characteristics in the catalog or on the price tag (clock frequency, number of cores, cache size), the price difference reaches several thousand rubles. Naturally, a toad immediately comes, which strangles a potential buyer, and he certainly wants to know what he is overpaying for and whether he needs it at all. Consultants, as a rule, cannot explain clearly how the i5 processors differ from the i7 processors. Probably because there are many models in the i5 and i7 lines, and they are all different, although they are labeled the same. However, there are features common to models within the same line, and they can be considered, albeit not the main, but important selection criteria.

Intel Core i7 Processors - Intel processor family, based on the Nehalem microarchitecture, designed for LGA 1156/1366/2011 sockets. Used for high-end desktop systems, have at least four cores in any modification.

Intel Core i5 Processors Is an Intel processor family designed for mid-range systems. These processors are compatible with LGA 1155/1156 sockets, have two cores in the most budget modification, and four in the top one.

Intel Core i7 processors are considered to provide better performance in demanding applications. In practice, it is not always possible to notice the difference in work, and often the performance gain remains exclusively the prerogative of test benches.

The most important and obvious difference between Intel Core i7 and Intel Core i5 is the first support for Hyper-Threading technology, which makes it possible for each core to serve multiple threads. The i7 quad-core processor serves 8 threads, which corresponds to the performance of eight cores. Intel Core i5 does not support this technology (except for the i5-661 model). Intel Core i5 can be dual- or quad-core, Intel Core i7 four- or six-core.

The L3 cache in Intel Core i7 processors can reach 12 MB, while in Intel Core i5 it is limited to 8 MB. The i7's RAM controller can be three-channel (LGA 1366) and dual-channel (LGA 1156), while the i5 only works with two channels. Intel Core i7 work with QPI buses, while i5 only work with DMI.

The maximum clock speed of the Intel Core i7 family is slightly higher than that of the Intel Core i5 family. True, in real work, these numbers practically do not play a role - the performance gain due to the increase in frequency is not felt. On the other hand, the heat dissipation of i7 processors in normal mode can be higher than that of i5 processors (up to 130 W), with the same 45 nm process technology.

Intel Core i7 processors are always more expensive than Intel Core i5. This is due to the marketing tricks of the company, which positions the i7 as top-end components for high-end systems.

Conclusions site

1. Intel Core i7 is marketed as processors for high-end systems.
2. The maximum number of cores in the Intel Core i7 is six, while in the Intel Core i5 it is four.
3. Intel Core i7 supports Hyper-Threading Technology.
4. Heat dissipation of some Intel Core i7 models is higher.
5. The Intel Core i7 performs better than the i5 in benchmarks.
6. Intel Core i7 can work on the QPI bus and with a three-channel memory controller.
7. Intel Core i7 is more expensive.