Intel Core i3 vs i5 vs i7

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

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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.


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.




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.


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.


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



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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