Which CPU Should I Buy? Core i5 vs i7

Be it for gaming or streaming, building the right gaming setup is important. When building a new PC or updating the existing system, we know that choosing the right CPU is crucial. From speed to performance, a strong processor is needed to ensure your gaming setup works fine!

Core i5 vs. I7 – The Battle:Demystifying the CoresCores in a CPUGenerationsSpeeding Up Your SystemThe Cache ConundrumGearing Up for WorkloadsUnveiling the Cost FactorThe Verdict: Choosing Your ChampionFAQs

Demystifying the Cores:

When it comes to picking the CPU, you can come across various kinds. However, the most prominent choices include Intel Core Processors and AMD Ryzen Processors. For now, we’re going to look at how the Intel Core i5 is different from the Intel Core i7. But first, we’re going to define CPU cores.

Cores in a CPU

We can say that the core is the processor of your CPU unit. Each core is responsible for handling a process. Modern CPUs of today have multiple cores, which allow multitasking, making it easier to handle more processes.

Generations

When you head to the properties of your PC, you’ll find the processor details. There, you’ll find the generation of the processor written as ‘11th gen, 12th gen, etc.,’ or ‘i5-1135G7.’ This figure illustrates the generation of the processor used in your device.

Simply put, the generation defines the quality of the chip used. Hence, the higher the generation, the better the quality, leading to better performance.

Note: It’s not important to have a higher processor always. An i5 processor of 13th Gen will outperform an i7 processor of 8thor even 11th Gen

Based on this, we can say that i5 and i7 have a higher number of cores. The i5 comes with dual-core and quad-core variants, whereas the i7 comes with a hexa-core variant. Hence, the i7 is more powerful in terms of performance. But is that really so? Let’s find out:

Speeding Up Your System:

The first thing is the speed; which processor is able to offer more speed, the i5 or i7? For starters:

  • The i5 features 4 threads/ core with 2-4 core options (the latest gen has more). The clock speed can range between 1.50 GHz to 3.10 GHz based on the process requirements.
  • The i7 features 12 threads/ core with 2-6 core options (the latest gen has more). The clock speed can range between 1.70 GHz to 3.90 GHz based on the process requirements.

Both processors come with the additional Turbo Boost technology, which boosts the overall performance of the processors, giving more power for intensive tasks such as designing, rendering, etc.

Source: Shutterstock

However, the i7 would outperform the i5 of the same gen in terms of handling more tasks. For instance, you’d need a good internet and processing power to run multiple tabs on your we browser. 

For the internet, you can rely on Xfinity Internet,but for processing such a high number of browser tabs, an i7 would be a better choice since it has a higher thread and core count.

The Cache Conundrum:

For those who don’t know, cache plays an important role in terms of increasing processing speed. Apart from the RAM, the cache stores frequently used processes and loads them instantly when they’re accessed. Hence, having a higher cache storage is quite feasible. In terms of that, the i5 processor has a 3-6 MB cache, whereas the i7 has 4-8 MB cache space (the latest gen has increased cache).

Gearing Up for Workloads:

It really comes down to performance; which processor is able to perform well and which one should you be picking? Let’s draw a comparison between both processors for a 13th gen device:

i5 Processor? (13th Gen)i7 Processor? (13th Gen)
Boosted Clock Speed up to 5.1 GHz (13th gen)Up to 14 Cores (6 x performance, 8 x efficiency)24 MB of L3 cacheDDR5 Memory Control up to 5600 MHzBoosted Clock Speed up to 5.4 GHz (13th gen)Up to 16 Cores (8 x performance, 8 x efficiency)30 MB of L3 cacheDDR5 Memory Control up to 5600 MHz

An i5 processor will most likely suit all your needs; however, you can’t depend on it for demanding tasks, such as endless browsing, high-end streaming and gaming, content creation and rendering, etc. 

On the other hand, because of its more cores, extended cache, and boosted clock speed, the i7 processor will handle such burdens with ease.

In other words, if you’re looking for something that would suit your everyday needs, then an i5 processor will surely be accommodating. However, high-end and intensive tasks will definitely require an i7 or even a higher processor. 

Unveiling the Cost Factor:

Another factor to consider when choosing between an i5 and an i7 processor is the cost. The i5 costs less than an i7 processor, which is evident since the i7 is the upgraded version with better performance and efficiency features.

Source: www.extremetech.com

The Verdict: Choosing Your Champion

It all comes down to this. Which processor to choose, an i5 or an i7? Here’s what you need to consider before making a choice:

  • If you’re planning to use your device for simpler tasks, such as casual gaming, HD streaming, working from home, YouTube streaming, etc., then an i5 processor will accommodate your needs perfectly.
  • If you’re into professional gaming, 4K streaming, need to access servers, work with large databases, or any other intensive tasks, an i7 will fit your needs.
  • As highlighted above, a 13th-gen i5 will beat a 10th-gen i7 because of its chipset quality, higher core numbers, better cache, and improved performance.
    • Based on this, if you’re acquiring a device with the latest gen, you can go with an i5 processor without second thoughts instead of downgrading to a lower gen with an i7 processor.
  • If you’re planning to change your activities later, upgrade to professional gaming, go for UHD streaming, handle sensitive data migration tasks, etc., then it’s better to equip your setup with an i7 processor instead of sticking with an i5 processor.
  • If your budget allows, you can go for an i7 processor but with a higher gen. Otherwise, sticking with an i5 but with the latest gen would be an optimal choice.

FAQs

Is the i5 12th gen better than an i7?

Yes, an i5 12th gen will carry more threads and processing power. But if you’re getting an i7 12th gen, then the i7 will outperform the i5 due to higher number of threads.

Which is better for programming i5 or i7?

An i7 of higher gen is recommended since it processes data faster because of the higher thread count.

Is it worth getting an i7 than an i5?

An i7 is a worthwhile investment if you’re in need of a device for intensive tasks, such as professional gaming, data handling, etc.

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