What is the difference between core i3 i5 and i7

Out to kit out a mid-range PC? Do look at the price of the vanilla Core i too. We are already surrounded by new laptops with 10th generation Intel processors. And there are even more models than usual. Especially in terms of frequency and thermal output, the two lines really are not very different.

For i3 CPUs, the main difference is that they only have two cores, a smaller cache, do not support Turbo Boost and have overall lower thermal output than i5 and i7 CPUs. An Intel Core i7 is better than a Core i5, which in turn is better than a Core i3. The trouble is knowing what to expect within each tier. First, i7 does not mean a seven-core processor! These are just names to indicate relative performance. Typically, the Core i3 series has only dual-core processors, while the Core i5 and Core i7 series have both dual-core and quad-core processors.

The current one is the 8th-generation series called Kaby Lake Refresh. Each family, in turn, has its own line of Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 series of processors. You can spot which generation a processor belongs to by the first digit in its four-digit model name. For example, the Intel Core i3- 8 belongs to the 8th generation. As you can see, the model number will typically be followed by one, or a combination of the following letters: U, Y, T, Q, H, G, and K.

Understanding these letters and the numbering system above will help you know what a processor offers just by looking at the model number, without needing to read the actual specifications.

The Intel Core i3 series does not support Turbo Boost. The Core i5 series uses Turbo Boost to speed up your tasks, as does the Core i7 series. For example, if you are playing a game and your system requires some extra horsepower, Turbo Boost will kick in to compensate. Core i3 and i7 processors have this technology, Core i5 processors do not.

The faster the clock speed in MHz, the faster each core can run. This can create some variances in performance. For example, a Core i Haswell processor runs at 3. It would be faster running a single-threaded application, which can only use one core, than a Core i, which only has a clock speed of 3.

However, running a multi-threaded application, the Core i5 would most likely be quicker, as its four real cores are better than the Core i3's two cores and Hyper-Threading. Turbo Boost is Intel's technology for automatically overclocking a processor, boosting its clock speed higher than the default setting. The CPU monitors its temperature and, when it's running cool enough, will apply the overclock.

Core i5 and i7 CPUs have this technology, Core i3 models do not. This means that you can use BIOS settings to up the clock speed of the chip, overclocking it yourself. We've seen big improvements in performance this way - we pushed the Intel Core iK chip to 4.

All Intel processors have graphics chips in them. Pre-Haswell, the GPUs weren't particularly good for games, although they were fine for watching video. With Haswell, came the Intel HD Graphics line, which is fine for a bit of light gaming; some cheaper models we'll show you how to check later have HD Graphics chips, which are fine for some older less-demanding games.

At this writing, the ninth-generation, Core i3 desktop processors have a top clock speed of 4. A step up from Core i3 is the Core i5. This is often where bargain-hunting PC gamers look for solid deals on processors. An i5 typically lacks Hyper-Threading, but it has more cores currently, six, rather than four than Core i3. The i5 parts also generally have higher clock speeds, a larger cache, and can handle more memory.

The integrated graphics are also a bit better. The Core i9 is at the top of the Intel Core pack. This is where you find many top-performing processors, like the Core iK—a current favorite for gaming.

Many applications only run single-threads while others are designed to utilize multiple. For cases where the latter applies, such as video rendering and gaming, having more cores is going to offer up an enormous improvement over having faster ones. Rather than run out and dropping the cash on the CPU with the fastest clock speed you can find, it might be worth thinking about what the clock speed you actually need looks like.

To that end, it's worth looking up the recommend system specifications for the game or software you'll be running on your new PC. For more everyday things like web browsing, an i5 processor with a higher clock speed is probably going to offer more bang for your buck than a beefier i7 might. Are you building a PC that does the things you might do or are you happy to settle for one that can do the things you need it to do?

The former is the normal clock speed that an Intel CPU is able to deliver. Sign up to gain exclusive access to email subscriptions, event invitations, competitions, giveaways, and much more. Membership is free, and your security and privacy remain protected. View our privacy policy before signing up.

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