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What is the different between i3,i5 and i7?

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paulcheung

Member
Hi all,
I really don't like the way how Intel are doing with naming their CPU now. What is the diferrent of i3,i5,and i7 now?

When Intel just introduce the i series processor, the i3 is dual core with hyperthreading, i5 are quad-core without hyperthreading and i7 are quad-core with hyperthreading.

Now they have dual-core i5 in mobile cpus and make the matter worse they are now make i7 6?? series with dual cores hyperthreading? what is the different with these dual-core i7 to the dual-core i3? what a confusionD::thumbsdown:🙁. Can someone help me to understand?
Cheers.
 
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The Difference Between Intel’s i3, i5, and i7 Core Processors


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With all of these commercials coming in front of our faces about Intel’s newest line of processors, we can’t help but wonder what in the world the difference is. We have i3, i5, and i7 to choose from, but which one would suit our needs the best?
This is something that I have been pondering upon and I found out that I wasn’t the only one wondering what on earth Intel has done by releasing these new processors.
Well, the time is here for you to discover the difference between Intel’s i3, i5, and i7 processors. You can thank the coffee on a late night for this post. 🙂
Intel Core i3 Processor

This particular Intel processor is the enter level processor of this new series of Intel processors. While it may not be the fastest one of the bunch, it can get the job done, at least for most applications.
Mind you, if you need high speed, I suggest one of the other processors that I will unveil in front of your eyes later on in this post. Here’s some of the Core i3 features.

  • Uses 4 threads. Yes, it uses hyperthreading technology which is the latest craze due to its improved efficiency over earlier processors that were put on the market.
  • This processor consists of 2-4 cores, depending on which one you get your hands on.
  • Contains A 3-4 MB Cache
  • Uses less heat and energy than earlier processors, which is always a good thing in this day and age.
Intel Core i5 Processor


  • This is the mid-size processor of this bunch, recommended for those who demand a little speed, but not quite enough where the user will be running resource-intensive applications.
  • As with the Core i3 processor, this comes with 2-4 cores, the main difference is that it has a higher clock speed than the Core i3.
  • This is also a heat and energy efficient processor, but it does seem to be better at this particular job than the Core i3 processor.
  • The number of threads used in this is no different than the Core i3 with 2-4 threads, and it also uses hyperthreading technology for a boost in performance.
  • The cache of the Core i5 is bigger than the Core i3, it’s at 3-8 MB.
  • The Core i5 is where the turbo mode is made available, this provides users with the opportunity to turn off a core if it’s not being utilized.
Intel Core i7 Processor


  • This is for the users that demand power, yes it does provide more power and if Tim Allen gets one of these, this would be the beast that he gets his hands on. Great for gamers and other resource intensive users.
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  • The cache on this one is 4-8 MB.
  • This processor comes with 8 threads, definitely enough to get the job done quickly, maybe even at the speed of light if you’re lucky.
    icon_wink.gif
    And yes it also utilizes hyperthreading technology.
  • You will have four cores to take advantage of with this particular series.
  • And just like the other ones in this Intel series of processors, it is more energy efficient and produces less heat.
 
I think Intel or any other manufacture should have some kind guide line to name and group their products. I don't think an i5 cpu should be faster and stronger than an i7. Can you tell me those i7 dual core with hyperthreading run 200mhz higher work better than those i5 quadcore? with software untilise all 4cores?
I think these are just misleading. That is just how I feel about it.
Cheers.
 
i7 doesn't come in dual cores. only i3 and i5 are available in dual cores.
the i5 is also available in quad-core, and the i7s are quad-cores with hyperthreading.

if you take the i5-2500 and the i7-2600, you will see that they are similar. The i7, however, has a little bit more cache, and supports intel hyperthreading. Hyperthreading is really a feature for professionals and server users, and is not really a feature that most users would benefit from
 
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Okay you are comparing 2 i7 SANDY BRIDGE processors with an i3 SANDY BRIDGE and a i7 ARRANDALE (outdated).. So what's your point?
 
snapptastic said:
... Hyperthreading is really a feature for professionals and server users, and is not really a feature that most users would benefit from
Click to expand...


many users run handbrake. handbrake will use 4 cores 6 cores or 4 cores hyper threaded into 8 or 6 cores hyperthreaded into 12 cores. I do agree that handbrake users are most likley under 50% of all users so your statement is correct.
 
djshortsleeve said:
What? He is comparing IVY to IVY ot SB to SB
Click to expand...

The link he provided takes you to 2 i7 Sandy processors, 1 Arrandale i7, and 1 i3 processor.. At least that is what is coming up on my computer.

But what is your real question? I'm not quite understanding what you are trying to say..

Are you talking in terms of gaming, etc? Or what?
 
It's simple:

i3: HT, no Turbo
i5: Turbo, no HT
i7: HT + Turbo

Also:

Pentium: no HT, no Turbo
Celeron: no HT, no Turbo, less cache
 
Problem is, he's comparing Desktop to Mobile Processors. There are mobile variants of the i7 that are 2 core/4 Thread.

All mobile i5's are 2 core/4 thread.

Check this link to the Intel Processor Comparison.

The general rules between the processors get mushed up in the laptop world.
 
Even "Windows Update" is well multi-threaded these days. Especially, during Framework updates.That affects like 90% of users. When you do something else when this happens, 4 threads will continue be giving the user, very smooth experience.

Recently tested a g540 under ^ scenarios.

4 threads is a safe bet, imo; that's what i3 is for. General computing at your *snappy* fingerprints. A must for the power user.
 
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I can see how this gets confusing. Especially when you factor in the differences between Nehalem, Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge. Intel has gotten more confusing with their CPU family naming over the years.

If you break it down this way it makes it easier to understand.

coffeejunkee said:
It's simple:

i3: HT, no Turbo
i5: Turbo, no HT
i7: HT + Turbo

Also:

Pentium: no HT, no Turbo
Celeron: no HT, no Turbo, less cache
Click to expand...

However we still have to factor in various sockets and chipsets for each processor family that makes this more interesting.
 
Syran said:
Problem is, he's comparing Desktop to Mobile Processors. There are mobile variants of the i7 that are 2 core/4 Thread.

All mobile i5's are 2 core/4 thread.

Check this link to the Intel Processor Comparison.

The general rules between the processors get mushed up in the laptop world.
Click to expand...

It's a bit different for laptop chips yes, but there is still a system that can be recognized:

i7: Turbo + HT, > 3 MB cache
i5: Turbo + HT, 3 MB cache
i3: HT, no Turbo, 3 MB cache
Pentium: no Turbo, no HT, 3 MB cache
Celeron: no Turbo, no HT, 2 MB cache

So only difference between i5 and i7 is amount of cache. And no i5 quadcores ofcourse.

What's most confusing probably is that core count is now irrelevant, while before it was easy to recognize with core 2 duo and core 2 quad.
 
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there is also the confusion of k, s, t, blank.

I have an i5 2500t chip it is a great chip for ht.

but you need a gpu like the sapphire hd 7750 ultimate.



this sat i am getting an i7 3770t.

this may be the best all around chip ever made.

(depends on how you define all around ) .

so here is a case of an i5 and an i7

both desktop one quad no hyper thread one quad yes hyper thread.
 
paulcheung said:
I don't think an i5 cpu should be faster and stronger than an i7
Click to expand...

Good point. And many people will just assume that the i7 processor is just better because its a higher number and not really understand the difference further confusing Intel's CPU lineup.
 
AsusGuy said:
Good point. And many people will just assume that the i7 processor is just better because its a higher number and not really understand the difference further confusing Intel's CPU lineup.
Click to expand...

i mean it's always essential to look at cores, clock speeds, HT or not, Turbo Boost, etc.. regardless of which company CPU you are using..

i agree that Intel is semi-confusing but each model i3,i5,i7 does something different, it's all in the numbers.. you can't just look at i5 and automatically assume it's worse than a i7, there are so many factors to look at, as is the case with most computer parts.
 
I wrote this for another forum but since you are talking about the same things I will repost it here. I will update this once the rest of the 3rd generation Intel® Core™ processors are released but information is basically the same. Original post

When you are looking at 2nd generation Intel® Core™ processors it is sometimes hard to understand the differences from one to the other. With the Intel Celeron® Desktop Processor, Intel Pentium® Desktop processor, Intel Core i3’s, Intel Core i5’s and the Intel Core i7’s processors there are generally simple differences between each processor’s family.While there may be some exceptions to rules, this should give you a basic understanding for our processors.
2nd generation Intel Core Processor Family
Intel Celeron Desktop Processors Outside of the Intel Atom™ processor, these are going to be our entry level basic processor. These processors are designed to fit the basic needs of a person or a company that will be doing little more than Internet, email and basic office applications.
· Dual core processors with the lowest clock speed and the smallest cache¹.
· Intel HD graphics that perform close to the level of the Intel HD 2000 Graphics butlack some of the key features².
¹Cache is a small amount of memory housed with the processor that helps it to quickly access frequently used information.
²See below: Intel Core i3 Processors, improved graphics Intel HD 2000.
Intel Pentium Desktop Processors are a step above the Intel Celerons in that they have a faster clock speed and 1MB of additional cache.
· Dual core processor with 3MB of cache.
· Intel HD graphics that perform close to the level of the Intel HD 2000 Graphics but lack some of the key features¹.
¹See below: Intel Core i3 Processors, improved graphics Intel HD 2000.

Intel Core i3 Processors are dual core processors, and the entry level into the “I” series family. They are generally faster than the Intel Pentium Desktop processors, and offer budget-oriented performance and power efficiency.
· Intel Hyper-threading technology allows you to run an additional thread¹ on each core. That means that these processors can handle up to 4 threads at once.
· Improved graphics in the Intel HD 2000 Graphics that offer features like Intel Quick Sync, Intel InTru™ 3D, Intel Insider™, and Intel Clear Video HD Technology
¹A “thread” represents a single running process, or program.
Intel Core i5 processors are quad core processors (The Intel Core i5-2390t is a dual core processor with hyper-threading). Having 4 full cores gives the Intel Core i5 processors good multi-tasking ability. Good for general multi-media work and gaming.
· Intel Turbo Boost Technology will intelligently clock the processor to a high clock speed based on the number of cores in use and temperature of the processor. This technology can produce up to 400MHz faster clock speeds.
· These processors have 6MB of cache.

Intel Core i7 processors are designed to fit the needs of the demanding power-users. These processors are quad or hex core processors that also have hyper-threading. For heavy multi-threading or multi-tasking these are the processors of choice for power-users.
· Intel Turbo Boost Technology
· Hyper-threading giving 4 core/8 threads support or 6 core/12 thread support.
· These processors have 8MB or more of cache.

Processor Extensions
Now there are a number of letters that are on the end of the desktop processor model #s that will help find the right processor for the job. These letters are X, K, S, T and P (I.E. Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition, Intel Core i5-2500K, Intel Core i5-2500S, Intel Core i5-2500T or Intel Core i5-2450P).
· “X” processors are our Extreme Edition processors these are the fastest and most robust top of the line processors in our lineup. They are unlocked and able to be overclocked to even higher clock speeds. (Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition)
· “K” processors are unlocked processors that will allow you to change a number of the settings from the multiplier¹, to the clock speed on the IGP (Integrated Graphics on Processor) if it has one. (Intel Core i5-2500K)
· “S” processors are designed to provide the performance that you would expect from a normal processor in that family but with power saving features. So for a business that has a large number of computers these processors can save a good deal off the power bill. (Intel Core i5-2500S)
· “T” processors are designed for thin/small form factor chassis. HTPC (Home Theater PC) or Mini-ITX computers where air flow and heat are important these processors run cooler with less power drain than the S processors and come with a special low profile HSF (heatsink/fan). (Intel Core i5-2500T)
· “P” processors are processors that have been released from Intel with the IGP disabled. Since they don’t have an IGP the consumer will need to have a video card when they use one of these processors. (Intel Core i5-2450P).
¹The basic external clock speed of a processor, times it’s multiplier, is what determines the measured clock speed of a processor. So an external clock of 133mhz multiplied by a x10 multiplier makes a clock speed of 1.33ghz.

Also important, you will want to know how to identify 1st generation Core I processors vs. our newer 2nd generation. One easy clue is the number of digits in the model number. 1st generation processors have 3 digits. For example, the Core I3 530 is from the previous generation, whereas the Core I3 2100, with a 4 digit model number, is of the 2nd generation.
One last thing that can help you identify 2nd generation Intel Core processors is if the model # of the processor has a “5” on the end (I.E. Intel Core i3-2105) the processor will come with the improved Intel HD 3000 Graphics.
For a list of all of our processors, as well as many other Intel products, including specifications and order codes, please visit ARK | Your source for information on Intel® products.
 
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To me the i7 class should not include any dual core processor in it no matter what improvement you have on it. Does the 2core i7 real faster and stronger than the i5 quad core using software that uses all 4 cores?

Just like Benz motor car, the 300 series should be bigger and cost more than the 200 series and the 300 series should be more luxuroius.

When a person see the comoputer have an i7, he/she will say oh that is a higher end computer because it has i7 in it. that is what Intel should have done. keep the i7 in the high end and i5 in the middle class and i3 in the entry level. does not matter if it is desktop or laptop.
That is my point.
Thank you guys.
 
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