Intel Haswell CPU - Noise Levels

Harry_Wild

Senior member
Dec 14, 2012
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Just wanted to know if an Core i7 vs. i5, i3; the CPU fan would run hot and fast in all of them or just the more powerful CPU given the same setup.

I trying to determine if I use a lesser powerful CPU like a i3 compare to a i7; will it be quieter while it is at idle - doing no work but just running?

And computer will quieter overall too with an i3, 15 vs. like a i7 4790 inside the box?
 

ElFenix

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Mar 20, 2000
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at idle all of intel's chips within an architecture consume pretty much the same power (and really, all of them since sandy bridge as far as desktop chips go) at idle and even partial loads because intel has gotten very good with power gating and race to idle. that is, an i3 and an i7 will consume roughly the same power while performing the same task. now, keep in mind that recoding a video is not the same task between an i3 and an i7 because the i7 is getting it done faster, but decoding a blu ray is because both processors play the blu ray back at the same rate.
 

Stuka87

Diamond Member
Dec 10, 2010
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What kind of loads will you be doing?

Like ElFenix said, idle is the same between them (more or less). But at load, thats where things change.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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I have an i3-4360 and an i7-4790K.

Both are pretty much silent until the load gets high.

Edit: also have an i5-3330 in the work computer. It's never stressed, and I never hear it.
 
Mar 10, 2006
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I have an i3-4360 and an i7-4790K.

Both are pretty much silent until the load gets high.

Edit: also have an i5-3330 in the work computer. It's never stressed, and I never hear it.

I have an i5-4590 and an i7-4790K, both running stock cooler. Under heavy load, they're both awfully loud, but the 4790K is way worse.
 

jkauff

Senior member
Oct 4, 2012
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I have an i5-4590 and an i7-4790K, both running stock cooler. Under heavy load, they're both awfully loud, but the 4790K is way worse.
We just had two contradictory posts about the 4790K. Mine is nearly silent at idle, too, and never annoyingly loud even at peak loads. I imagine the difference is in the coolers; Intel stock coolers are notoriously loud because they have to work so hard to keep the temp down. They're not made from premium parts, either.
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
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I have an i5-4590 and an i7-4790K, both running stock cooler. Under heavy load, they're both awfully loud, but the 4790K is way worse.

The stock cooler does not work on the 4790K, so I'd get rid of it if I were you. :biggrin: