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22/01/12 Intel Core i3 Vs i5 Vs i7
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Intel Core i3 Vs i5 Vs i7Intel has now announced its new processor lines in the form of second generation core i3, core i5 and core
i7 processors. I present an Intel core i3 vs i5 vs i7 comparison here for your perusal, that will help you
choose the right processor for your laptop or desktop computer.
When researching to buy a new laptop or desktop computer,
you will notice the names of three new Intel created processor
lines, named core i3, core i5, and core i7 in the specifications.
While we were just coming to terms with the introduction of these new
Intel processors, launched in 2010, Intel launched the sleeker second
generation of the core i3, i5 and i7 series, based on 32 nm Sandy Bridge
architecture. It offers a 17% CPU and graphics performance improvement,
compared to the earlier line of processors.
If you are undecided on which processor to opt for, this article might help
you decide. How do the i3, i5 and i7 lines differ and what more do they
offer compared to the older core 2 duo lines? Secondly, how are the second
generation core i3, i5 and i7 lines different from their predecessors? All these questions will be answered
by the Intel core i3 vs i5 vs i7 comparison presented in this Buzzle article. The short table presented below,
provides a summary of the differences between the three processor lines.
Intel Core i3 Vs i5 Vs i7 Comparison
Intel has presented the new hierarchy of its processors with three classes. The entry-level processors are
the core i3 series, mid level processors are core i5 series and high-end ones are the core i7 processors. Let
us see how these three processor lines differ in terms of technical specifications and performance.
Description
Intel Core
i3
(1st
Generation)
Intel Core
i3
(2nd
Generation)
Intel Core
i5
(1st
Generation)
Intel Core
i5
(2nd
Generation)
Intel Core
i7
(1st
Generation)
Intel Core
i7
(2nd
Generation)
Number of
Cores2 2 2/4 2/4 6/4 4
Number of
Threads4 4 4 4 12/8 8
Clocking
Frequency
Range
1.2 GHz -
3.33 GHz
1.3 GHz -
3.3 GHz
1.06 GHz -
3.6 GHz
1.4 GHz -
3.3 Ghz
1.06 GHz -
3.46 GHz
1.5 GHz -
3.4 GHz
Intel Smart
Cache Size3 MB/4MB 3 MB
8 MB/4 MB/3
MB3 MB/6 MB
12 MB/8
MB/6 MB/4
MB
8 MB/6 MB/4
MB
Intel
Hyper-
Threading
Technology
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Intel Turbo
Boost
Technology
No No Yes Yes (2.0) Yes Yes (2.0)
All basic computing tasks, Intensive multitasking
All purpose workstations, 3D
gaming, server machines and
Computer Hardware
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Ideal For multimedia applications; ideal
for home users
applications; ideal for home
and workstation use
heavy duty computing tasks,
simulations, video editing, 3D
gaming
Best
Processor
For
Desktop
Computer
Intel Core
i3-560
Processor
(4MB Cache,
3.33 GHz)
Intel Core
i3-2130
Processor
(3MB Cache,
3.40 Ghz)
Intel Core
i5-680
Processor
(4MB Cache,
3.60 Ghz)
Intel Core
i5-2400
Processor
(6MB Cache,
3.10 Ghz)
Intel Core
i7-990X
Processor
(12MB
Cache, 3.46
GHz)
Intel Core
i7-2600
Processor
(8MB Cache,
3.40 GHz)
Best
Processor
For
Notebook
Computer
Intel Core
i3-390M
Processor
(3MB Cache,
2.66 Ghz)
Intel Core
i3-2330M
Processor
(3MB Cache
2.20 Ghz)
Intel Core
i5-480M
Processor
(3MB Cache,
2.66 Ghz)
Intel Core
i5-2540M
Processor
(3MB Cache,
2.60 Ghz)
Intel Core
i7-940XM
Processor
(8MB Cache,
2.13 Ghz)
Intel Core
i7-2960XM
Processor
(8MB Cache,
2.70 GHz)
Price
Range$113 - $138 $117 - $138 $176 - $294 $177 - $266
$278 -
$1096
$289 -
$1096
Core i3 Vs i5 Vs i7: Technical Specifications
Here we will compare both generations of core i3, i5 and i7 lines. The prime specifications that need to be
compared are the clocking frequencies, number of cores, threads and memory cache size.
First Generation Intel Core i3
Let us begin with the first generation core i3 line. The Core i3 5xx (Clarkdale) series launched in January
2010, for desktop computers, consists of four processors (i3-530, i3-540, i3-550 and i3-560) with a clocking
frequency ranging from 2.93 GHz to 3.33 GHz. All four processors have a 2x256 KB L2 cache, 4MB L3 smart
cache with DMI (direct media interface) bus and are fitted with the new LGA 1156 socket. All four
processors have two cores, four threads and are based on a 32 nm architecture which enables more
transistors to be placed on a chip compared to the earlier 45 nm architecture.
This first generation of core i3 processors also includes mobile processors, designed for notebook
computers, which include eight chips (Intel core i3-390M, 380UM, 380M, 370M, 350M, 330UM, 330M and
330E processors) with 2 cores, 4 threads, 4 MB smart cache and processing speed ranging from 1.2 GHz to
2.66 GHz.
Second Generation Intel Core i3
Launched in January 2011, the second generation core i3 line of processors was launched to replace the
earlier generation. Based on the advanced 32 nm Sandy Bridge architecture, it includes two desktop lines,
which include Core i3-21xx (With 3 MB L3 cache and clocking frequency ranging from 3.1 to 3.4 GHz) and Core
i3-21xxT (With 3 MB L3 cache and clocking frequency ranging from 2.5 to 2.6 GHz) series of processors.
All core i3 processors have two cores and four threads backed by Intel's Hyper-Threading and Virtualization
technology that enhances the multitasking ability of these chips. Hyper-Threading is simultaneous
multithreading ability. The Intel HD graphics technology offers great visual performance. All in all, the core i3
series is a great entry-level chip that offers all that a home user needs including high quality 3D graphics
and great multitasking ability. The price for all the chips is around $133. The only important feature, that's
missing in the core i3 chips, though enabled in core i5 and i7 lines, is Intel Turbo Boost technology, which
can boost the clocking frequency on demand.
First Generation Intel Core i5
Now let us look at the first generation Intel core i5 line of processors. This family of processors consists of
three lines, which include the core i5 7xx, core i5 7xxS and core i5 6xx series. They have processor clocking
frequencies ranging from 2.4 GHz to 3.33 GHz which can be enhanced by Intel's new Turbo Boost
technology. Some processors have 4 cores with 4 threads (core i5-7xx and core i5-7xxS Lynnfield series)
and some with 2 cores and 4 threads (core i5- 6xx Clarkdale Series with Hyper-Threading disabled). Most
have an 8MB L3 cache, with LGA 1156 socket, direct media interface and integrated GPU. Besides this, four
separate lines - Intel Core i5-5xxM, Core i5-4xxM, Core i5-5xxUM and Core i5-4xxUM, with 2 cores and 3 MB
L3 cache have been exclusively created for notebook computers.
Second Generation Intel Core i5
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In January 2011, the Sandy Bridge based core i5 line of processors was released, as an improvement over
the earlier generation. This includes quad core - Core i5-2500, 2500K, Core i5-2xxxT (with dual/quad core)
and Core i5-2xxxS lines of processors with 6 MB of L3 cache, direct media interface and an integrated GPU.
The mobile line of processors have also been launched in a new Sandy Bridge avatar, in the form of Core
i5-2xxxM, Core i5-2xx7M, with 2 cores and 3 MB of L3 cache. Their clocking frequency ranges from 1.4 GHz
to 3.3 GHz.
All the second generation and first generation processors are enabled with Intel Turbo Boost technology,
Intel HD graphics and Intel Smart Cache technology. The second generation of core i5 processors are
enabled with Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, which is a more evolved form of the earlier one. Coupled
with all these features, these quad core processors are ideally built for home PCs and workstations. They
are faster than the core i3 chips and better at multitasking.
First Generation Intel Core i7
Let us now move towards the last part of this comparison and discuss the core i7 processor family. The
core i7 family of processors are built to outperform. They consist of eight different series of processors.
Dubbed by Intel to be 'The Best Processors On the Planet', these are quad core processors with 8 threads
with clocking frequencies touching 3.06 GHz, which can be enhanced to 3.33 GHz with Intel's Turbo Boost
and Hyper-Threading Technology. Along with desktop processors, core i7 line also has dual core notebook
processors with clocking frequencies ranging from 1.06 GHz to 2.8 GHz.
The best processors, in this line are Intel core i7 990X and 980X, with 6 built in cores and 12 threads. With
8 MB of smart cache which reaches 12 MB in this first generation Gulftown line, these processors are
nothing short of phenomenal. With 3 channels of DDR3 1066 MHz memory that is backed by an integrated
memory controller and Intel's QuickPath Interconnect technology (that enables up to 25.6 GB/Sec of data
transfer speed), the core i7 processors are simply unbeatable. They are designed for advanced computing
tasks and would be overkill for a home PC, if it's only going to be used for very basic functions.
Second Generation Intel Core i7
The second generation of Intel core i7 processors have a whole line of new quad core processors with 4
MB or 8MB L3 cache, with clocking frequencies ranging from 1.5 GHz to 3.4 GHz, for notebook computers.
Two more processors were launched as part of the 'Extreme' edition, exclusively for notebook computers in
the second generation. These include two quad core processors, with 8 MB of L3 cache - Intel Core i7-
2960XM (2.7 GHz/3.7 GHz with Turbo Boost) and Intel Core i7-2920XM (2.5 GHz/3.5 GHz with Turbo Boost).
Powered with Intel HD Graphics 3000 and Intel Turbo Boost Technology 2.0, these are the best processors
on the planet for notebook computers.
Core i3 Vs i5 Vs i7: Performance
In terms of performance, if you make a comparison between the three lines, the graph rises higher as you
go from the i3 processors, through the i5 chips, towards the core i7 line. Core i3 is a great entry-level
processor that offers high-definition graphics and 3D capabilities and ensures that multitasking wouldn't
take a toll on computer speed. This is the default pick for home users with desktop computers.
The core i5 line is speedier and more powerful than the i3 line offering all that the i3 series offers and yet
goes beyond in terms of performance. The Turbo Boost technology along with Hyper-Threading technology
enables two different tasks to be handled by two different processors, which in turn, increases processing
speed. They are the best processors for laptops and workstations with a high level of multitasking needs.
A core i5 vs core i7 comparison reveals that the i7 lines are simply miles ahead of the two other processor
lines. The i3 vs i5 vs i7 benchmark tests reveal core i7 processors to be the clear winners. The i7 line has
an inherent advantage provided by the four cores. A quad core vs dual core comparison will reveal the
edge that more cores give a processor. You can develop 3D games and images, go for video editing and
get an unparalleled gaming experience. Core i7 line places phenomenal computing power at your
fingertips. With the second generation core i7, built on Sandy Bridge architecture and Turbo Boost 2.0
enabled in them, these processors are miles ahead of their AMD counterparts and have maintained their
title of being the best processors on the planet.
Hope this straightforward core i3 vs i5 vs i7 comparison has cleared any doubts you had about these new
processor lines developed by Intel. Opt for core i3 processors if you are a home user with graphic intensive
application usage and mainly multimedia use. Core i5 processors are for people who want to go for
intensive gaming and run heavy programs. The top of the line core i7 processors are best for people who
want to go for intensive multitasking and are designed for computers that have to function as web servers
or database servers, video editing workstations or developer workstations. They are designed for business
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use and high-end computing jobs. However, all depends on how much are you willing to pay for a new
laptop or desktop. If you can afford it, why not go for a top of the line processor, from the core i7 line? The
decision is yours of course. Choose any processor from any line but my personal recommendation would be
to go for the mid level, core i5 series, which is cost-effective, reasonably priced and offers real value for
your money!
By Gray PilgrimLast Updated: 9/14/2011
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