Core i3 second generation. Iron experiment: older Core i3 vs. younger Core i5 in games

The processor is the brain of the computer, but it takes a lot of your own brains to understand the difference between processors! Intel hasn't made it easy on consumers with its weird naming schemes, and the question that often comes up is: what's the difference between i3, i5, or i7 processors? Which one should I buy?

It's time to demystify this. In this article, I will not touch on other Intel processors such as the Pentium series or the new M series Core laptop. They are good on their own, but the Core series is the most popular and confusing, so let's just focus on that.

Understanding Model Numbers

To be honest, it's very simple. The Intel Core i7 is better than the Core i5, which in turn is better than the Core i3. The problem is knowing what to expect from each processor.

First, i7 does not mean seven-core processor! These are only names indicating relative performance.

Typically, the Core i3 series uses only dual-core processors, while the Core i5 and Core i7 processors use dual-core, quad-core, and six-core processors. Quad-core processors are usually better than dual-core processors, but don't worry about that for now.

Intel releases chipset families such as the new generation of Skylake processors for the 6th generation Skylake family. Each family, in turn, has its own line of Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors.

You can determine which generation of the processor belongs to first digit in four-digit model name. For example, Intel Core i3- 5 200 refers to 5 -th generation. Keep in mind that new generations of Intel will not support Windows 7, but since Windows 10 is a free upgrade anyway, use the newest generation.

Advice. Here's a helpful rule of thumb. The other three numbers are Intel's assessment of how the processor compares to others in its own line. For example, the Intel Core i3-5350 outperforms the Core i3-5200 because 350 is more than 200.

Last letters: U, Q, H, K

Things have changed since we last looked at the list of Intel processors. Processor list decoding. The model number is usually followed by one or a combination of the following letters: U, Y, T, Q, H, and K. Here's what they mean:

• U: Extra low power. U rating is for laptop processors only. They use less power and are better suited to the battery.
• Y: Low power. Typically used for laptops and older mobile processors.
• T:Power Optimized for desktop processors.
• Q: Quad-core processor. The Q rating is only for processors with four physical cores.
• H: High performance graphics. The chipset has one of the best Intel graphics units.
• K: Unlocked. This means that you can overclock the processor yourself.

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

You can find the meaning of other letters in Intel's processor number guides.

Hyper Threading: i7 > i3 > i5

As you can see above, Intel specifically writes U and Q for the number of physical cores. Well, what are the other cores, you ask? The answer is virtual cores activated using Hyper-Threading technology.

In layman's terms, hyper-threading allows one physical core to act as two virtual cores, thereby running many tasks simultaneously without activating the second physical core (which will require more power from the system).

If both processors are active and using hyperthreading, these four virtual cores will compute faster. Note, however, that physical cores are faster than virtual cores. A quad-core CPU will perform much better than a dual-core hyperthreaded CPU!

The Intel Core i3 series has hyper-threading. The Intel Core i7 series also supports hyper-threading. The Intel Core i5 series does not support it.

Turbo Boost: i7 > i5 > i3

On the other hand, the Intel Core i3 series does not support Turbo Boost. The Core i5 series uses Turbo Boost to speed up your tasks, just like the Core i7.

Turbo Boost is a patented technology to intelligently increase the processor's clock speed if the application requires it. For example, if you're playing a game and your system needs some extra power, Turbo Boost will kick in to compensate.

Turbo Boost is useful for those who use resource-intensive software such as video editors or video games, but it's not a big deal if you're just going to surf the web and use Microsoft Office.

Aside from Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost, one of the main differences in the Core lineup is cache size. The cache is the processor's own memory and acts like its personal RAM - and it's one of the little-known features that can slow down your PC.

Just like with RAM, the larger the cache, the better. Therefore, if the processor performs one task over and over again, it will store that task in its cache. If the processor can store more tasks in its private memory, it can make them faster if they come up again.

The Core i3 series typically contains up to 3 MB of cache. The Core i5 series has 3MB to 6MB cache. The Core i7 series has 4MB to 8MB cache.

Since graphics have been integrated into the processor chip, this has become an important consideration when buying processors. But like everything else, Intel has made the system a bit confusing.

There are now generally three tiers of graphics devices: Intel HD, Intel Iris, and Intel Iris Pro. You will see the model name like Intel HD 520 or Intel Iris Pro 580... and that's where the confusion starts.

Here's a brief example of how mind-boggling this can be. The Intel HD 520 is the main graphics chipset. The Intel Iris 550 is better than the Intel HD 520, but also basic. But Intel HD 530 is a high performance graphics unit and better than Intel Iris 550. However, Intel Iris Pro 580 is also a high performance graphics unit and better than Intel HD 530.

The best advice is how to interpret them? Just don't. Instead, rely on the Intel naming system. If the processor model ends with H, you know it is a high performance module.

Comparison of cores i3, i5, i7

CPU	Number of Cores	Cache size	Hyper Threading	turbo boost	Graphic arts	Price
	2	3MB	There is	Not	Low	Low
	2-4	3MB-6MB	No	There is	Medium	Medium
	2-6	4MB-12MB	There is	There is	The best	Expensive

Simply put, here's who each processor type is best suited for:

• Core i3: main users. economic choice. Convenient for browsing the web, using Microsoft Office, video calling and social networking. Not for gamers or professionals.
• Core i5: intermediate users. Those who want a balance between performance and price. Good for gaming if you buy an HQ processor or a Q processor with a dedicated GPU.
• Core i7: Professionals. This is the best thing Intel can do right now.

How did you choose?

This article is a basic guide for those who want to buy a new Intel processor but are confused between Core i3, i5 and i7. But even after understanding all this, when it's time to make a decision, you may need to choose between two processors of different generations.

What else can you advise to those who are similarly stuck buying a PCU and have to make a choice?

Not so long ago, the concepts of "overclocking" and "inexpensive Intel processor" were considered contradictory. That is, initially they were perfectly compatible, but since 2010, when the Sandy Bridge microarchitecture came to Intel processors, the company decided to limit the list of CPUs available for overclocking to only a few models of a special overclocker series that received the K suffix in model numbers. At that time, Intel, not without reason, decided that the widespread practice of overclocking processors was detrimental to its income and turned everything upside down. As a result, instead of allowing users to continue to save money through overclocking inexpensive chips, it began to charge overclockers an additional fee for the right to own an unlocked processor multiplier. In addition to this, such processors were classified exclusively as flagship products in the Core i7 and Core i5 series, which left enthusiasts who want to exploit the CPU beyond the passport frequencies with the need to part with a substantial amount, at least $ 240 or more.

However, as can be judged from the events that began to take place subsequently, Intel's decision to deprive buyers of inexpensive systems of any access to overclocking was not so final and irrevocable. The microprocessor giant first gave up slack three years ago when the $70 generation Haswell suddenly appeared in the family of overclocking processors. And then off we go: here you have an opportunity that has been opened for a while using the BCLK frequency, and Chinese engineers, and all sorts of options using Xeon processors in desktop systems.

In general, the train can no longer be stopped: there are a lot of options to save money through overclocking when building a modern configuration with an Intel processor, and the company seems to have decided to completely abandon attempts to put a spoke in the wheels of resourceful enthusiasts. Instead, the bet is now made to try to discourage buyers from all sorts of semi-legal options in favor of another inexpensive next-generation processor with officially supported overclocking - the Core i3-7350K. This processor lowers the entry bar to the overclocking club: its official price is set at $168, which is 30 percent less than the price or .

Indeed, the appearance of such a proposal as the Core i3-7350K calls into question the expediency of fussing with various overclocking options for neo-overclocker and engineering versions of Skylake, and also deals a certain blow to the positions of AMD FX processors, which currently just moved into one with Core i3 price category. In favor of the Core i3-7350K, a high clock speed and modern Kaby Lake microarchitecture play here. However, do not forget that, like any other processor in the Core i3 series, the 7350K is a dual-core processor. Therefore, by today's standards, this Intel proposal may give the impression of a compromise, like the same Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition. But not everything is so clear. The Core i3 has support for Hyper-Threading technology, which means that the Core i3-7350K, like the Core i5 series processors, can execute four threads simultaneously, which is quite enough for general-purpose systems today.

Considering that the Core i3-7350K is an overclocking processor of the Kaby Lake generation, which is distinguished by its ability to take frequencies, it is very interesting to check whether it has enough potential to withstand the younger Core i5 and older AMD FX. That is why, as soon as our lab received a sample of the Core i3-7350K, it immediately went to the test bench.

Actually, overclocking is the main thing for which it was worth testing the Core i3-7350K. And here the processor did not let us down. For the production of Kaby Lake processors, an upgraded 14nm process technology with improved frequency potential is used, and the Core i3-7350K also has a more compact semiconductor crystal compared to the Core i7-7700K and Core i5-7600K. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that our copy of the Core i3-7350K was able to easily take the 5-GHz frequency. To achieve such a result, neither scalping, nor an excessive increase in the processor supply voltage, nor the use of an inverse AVX multiplier was required. Stability at 5.0 GHz was achieved with the processor voltage set to 1.425 V.

The stability test in LinX 0.7.1 passed without any problems, the maximum temperature when using the Noctua NH-U14S air cooler for heat dissipation was 95 degrees. Thus, it was the Core i3-7350K that became the first processor that passed through our hands, capable of stable operation at 5 GHz without any preliminary preparation.

However, you need to understand that overclocking to 5 GHz for any instances of the Core i3-7350K is not guaranteed, although on average such dual-core processors with normal cooling should drive 100-200 MHz better than the Core i7-7700K and Core i5-7600K. So, judging by the reviews that can be found on the Web, it is worth counting on overclocking in the range from 4.8 to 5.1 GHz.

As for the overclocking procedure itself, there are no differences compared to the Core i7-7700K and Core i5-7600K. In the case of the Core i3-7350K, exactly the same set of parameters is available for change: the base multiplier, the BCLK frequency, the maximum and minimum multipliers for the L3 cache frequency. A Kaby Lake-specific AVX inverse multiplier is also available, which allows you to slow down the processor when it executes energy-intensive AVX and AVX2 instructions. Moreover, as it turned out, the frequency of the Core i3-7350K can also be varied depending on the number of cores loaded with work. That is, despite the fact that Turbo Boost technology is not supported in the processor itself, a similar mode of operation can be implemented during overclocking. The Core i3-7350K does not have any artificial restrictions in terms of memory overclocking. The processor allows using all SDRAM speed modes up to DDR4-4266.

Description of the tools used to measure computing performance:

Comprehensive benchmarks:

• BAPCo SYSmark 2014 SE - Testing in Office Productivity scenarios (office work: word processing, spreadsheet processing, e-mail and web browsing), Media Creation (working on multimedia content - creating a promotional video using pre-captured digital images and video), Data/Financial Analysis (processing an archive with financial data, their statistical analysis and investment forecasting based on a certain model) and Responsiveness (analysis of system responsiveness when launching applications, opening files, working with an Internet browser with a large number of open tabs, multitasking , copying files, batch operations with photos, encrypting and archiving files, and installing programs).
• Futuremark 3DMark Professional Edition 2.2.3509 - testing in the Time Spy 1.0 scene.

Applications:

• Adobe Photoshop CC 2017 - Graphics performance testing. Measured is the average execution time of a test script, which is a creatively redesigned Retouch Artists Photoshop Speed ​​Test, which includes a typical processing of four 24-megapixel images taken by a digital camera.
• Blender 2.78a - testing the speed of the final rendering in one of the popular free packages for creating three-dimensional graphics. The duration of building the final model from Blender Cycles Benchmark rev4 is measured.
• Corona 1.3 - testing the rendering speed using the renderer of the same name. Measures the build speed of the standard BTR scene used to measure performance.
• Microsoft Edge 20.10240.16384.0 - performance testing of Internet applications built using modern technologies. A specialized WebXPRT 2015 test is used, which implements algorithms that are actually used in Internet applications in HTML5 and JavaScript.
• WinRAR 5.40 - archiving speed testing. The time taken by the archiver to compress a directory with various files with a total volume of 1.7 GB is measured. The maximum compression ratio is used.
• x264 r2744 - testing the speed of video transcoding to H.264/AVC format. To evaluate the performance, the original [email protected] AVC video file with a bit rate of about 30 Mbps.
• x265 2.2+17 8bpp - testing the speed of video transcoding to the promising H.265/HEVC format. For performance evaluation, the same video file is used as in the x264 encoder transcoding speed test.

Games:

• Ashes of the Singularity. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 11, Quality Profile=High, MSAA=2x.
• Battlefield 1. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 11, Graphics Quality = Ultra.
• Civilization VI. Resolution 1920×1080, DirectX 11, MSAA=4x, Performance Impact=Ultra, Memory Impact=Ultra.
• Grand Theft Auto V. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX Version = DirectX 11, FXAA = Off, MSAA = x4, NVIDIA TXAA = Off, Population Density = Maximum, Population Variety = Maximum, Distance Scaling = Maximum, Texture Quality = Very High, Shader Quality = Very High, Shadow Quality = Very High, Reflection Quality = Ultra, Reflection MSAA = x4, Water Quality = Very High, Particles Quality = Very High, Grass Quality = Ultra, Soft Shadow = Softest, Post FX = Ultra, In -Game Depth Of Field Effects = On, Anisotropic Filtering = x16, Ambient Occlusion = High, Tessellation = Very High, Long Shadows = On, High Resolution Shadows = On, High Detail Streaming While Flying = On, Extended Distance Scaling = Maximum, Extended Shadows Distance = Maximum.
• Hitman™. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 12, Super Sampling = 1.0, Level of Detail = Ultra, Anti-Aliasing = FXAA, Texture Quality = High, Texture Filter = Anisotropic 16x, SSAO = On, Shadow Maps = Ultra, Shadow Resolution = High.
• Total War: WARHAMMER. Resolution 1920 × 1080, DirectX 11, Quality = Ultra.
• Watch Dogs 2. Resolution 1920 × 1080, Field of View = 70°, Pixel Density = 1.00, Graphics Quality = Ultra, Extra Details = 100%.

There is no doubt that the Core i5 series processors are generally faster than the Core i3. Similarly, the Core i7 series always looks more interesting than the Core i5. However, the average consumer, when choosing a processor for their system, focuses not only on speed. The price also plays an important role. And the Core i3-7350K reviewed today is attractive not so much because of its pure speed, but because in capable hands it can provide a very decent speed level for only $168.

And in this vein, it can be presented as a good option for moderately priced gaming assemblies. As tests have shown, even in the most modern and processor-dependent games, performance rests in power Core i3-7350K not so often. Although two cores with Hyper-Threading technology support are considered to be only a necessary minimum for games, graphics cards like the GeForce GTX 1060 or Radeon RX 480 will be revealed with the Core i3-7350K without any noticeable impact on frame rates, especially when you take into account the possibility its acceleration. Therefore, the Core i3-7350K can be recommended as a worthy option for “mass gaming” and online battles.

As for other aspects of performance, the Core i3-7350K is primarily strong due to its high clock speed, which allows you to get very good responsiveness in single-threaded applications, which are mostly for Internet or office purposes. But if we talk about resource-intensive creative tasks, then the Core i3-7350K begins to choke in them: two cores with Hyper-Threading technology are generally weaker than the full-fledged four cores offered by Core i5 or Core i7 class processors.

True, the Core i3-7350K has another undeniable plus: an unlocked multiplier that determines its overclocking capabilities. Since the Core i3-7350K belongs to the Kaby Lake generation, it is quite possible to expect it to reach 5 GHz frequency and receive an additional increase in performance of the order of 10-15 percent. However, the main thing here is not even that, but the fact that an inexpensive overclocking processor is simply a very convenient "guinea pig" that can become an entrance ticket to the fascinating world of overclocking for many novice enthusiasts.

As a result, when choosing a processor in the price range from $150 to $200, giving preference to the Core i3-7350K makes sense in several cases. Firstly, if you plan to experiment with overclocking, but at the same time do not want to bother with the selection of motherboards and the search for the “correct” firmware for the Core i5-6400. Secondly, if you want to save money, but still expect to get decent gaming performance, especially in older or online multiplayer projects. And thirdly, if the main range of applications you run on your computer (in addition to games) is a browser, multimedia player and various office tools.

To create a gaming platform, many prefer to bypass the Core I3-3240 crystal, considering it to be a representative of the budget class with an overpriced price (10,000 rubles). Yes, and only two hardware cores somehow confuse fans of productive and resource-intensive games. An overview of this processor, its technical characteristics and feedback from the owners will dispel all the myths that the crystal has managed to acquire. And a potential buyer is advised to listen not only to reviews, but also to pay attention to the test results in games, because it is these indicators that determine the performance of processors.

Market positioning

The manufacturer Intel offers the I3-3240 just in the gaming segment, guaranteeing the buyer that the device can work with fast data processing, including graphic textures. There can be no question of any budget segment - the company's pricing policy simply does not allow this. Do not forget that the platform used to create the crystal is proudly called Ivy Bridge, which means that the logic and technologies of high-performance enterprise segment processors are used.

The integrated graphics core in the 2500 crystal is an analogue of budget video cards, which makes it possible for undemanding users to create a simple gaming platform based on a workstation. And when it comes to performance, do not forget about the clock speed of the working cores, because 3400 MHz is a worthy indicator.

Specifications of the Core I3-3240 die

Chasing processor bus frequencies (this is especially popular among fans of AMD products), many do not pay attention to the amount of data transferred between the chip and the motherboard bus. For Intel Core processors, this parameter is indicated directly in the marking itself - 5 GT / s (for each thread). The Intel Core TM I3-3240 product has 2 threads per core, which means that the total data transfer is approximately 40 gigabytes per second (one way).

Yes, there are questions about the built-in cache memory - 128 kilobytes (against 256 KB for the same AMD) looks poor. However, the second-level cache has 512 KB, and the third-level cache is limited to three megabytes. Such indicators are sufficient not only for the operation of gaming applications, but also for resource-intensive programs for video processing and 3D modeling.

About technologies

The OEM processor, as noted earlier, is built on the Ivy Bridge platform, which means that the crystal supports 64-bit systems, has hardware protection against malicious code, and provides the functionality of the Intel Virtualization virtual environment. Standard support for dual-channel DDR3 1600 MHz memory is present in this case. Only work with the maximum amount of data causes complaints - it is limited to 32 gigabytes (for older representatives of the Intel Core I5 ​​/ I7 line, the limit has been increased to 64 GB).

The owners also respond positively to the heat dissipation of the crystal - only 55 watts for such a processor is a low figure. Accordingly, customers do not need to worry about overheating when the entire system is running under maximum load. It is quite possible to install a passive cooling system and enjoy complete silence in the computer.

Game processor testing

If we compare the Core I-3240 gaming crystal with representatives of the older Core I5 ​​/ I7 models, then a pattern will be found - in synthetic tests, the run-up in performance will be proportional to the cost of all devices. That is, the I3 processor is 30% weaker than the representative of the Core I5 ​​line (the same price difference) and two times slower than the Core I7 (the cost is also different). This is the manufacturer's policy, and no one will be able to change it even by overclocking.

It is a completely different matter in gaming applications. As the comparison shows, in resource-intensive productive toys it does not matter what number is in the marking of the Core I line - 3.5 or 7. Everything directly depends on the video adapter, RAM and hard drive. The processor has potential, and it is still unrealistic to reveal it all in games.

Platform change must be justified

Many owners of gaming computers based on the LGA-775 platform believe that replacing systems with four cores (we are talking about Intel Core Quad) is irrational. After all, following the basics of mathematics, 4 is more than 2, and if you install a powerful processor, then it should have more hardware cores. This is incorrect reasoning. Any die (even a server Xeon) built on a previous generation platform is inferior in performance to the new technology, including the Intel Core I3-3240 processor. The frequency characteristics may be similar, but the technology and speed of operation differ dramatically.

To make sure that the platform of the previous generation has become obsolete and is not able to fully work with gaming applications, you can test it. To do this, you have to use an expensive video adapter, which should force the processor to work at the limit of its capabilities (NVIDIA Quadro will do an excellent job of this). The testing will surprise many users - the vaunted representatives of the LGA-775 with 4 cores (by the way, the AMD processor with 6-8 cores too) work at maximum, but are not able to increase the number of FPS higher than Intel Core I3 demonstrates.

Resource-intensive professional programs

Only video encoding and 3D modeling applications can fail the performance test. Such programs are clearly not for the Core I3-3240 processor. The characteristics of the on-chip cache memory are clearly not up to the ideal. Neither overclocking nor installing more productive computer elements will help the processor show a decent result.

This does not mean that the crystal is not capable of doing the usual in Sony Vegas or Nero Video at all. Everything will work, but for a very long time. There were no questions regarding support for office applications, processing of graphic bitmaps and complex mathematical calculations during testing. The processor quickly coped with all the tasks.

The last argument of kings

It was interesting for everyone to see how, in one price category, the unreasonably expensive Core I3-3240 loses to a monster with 6 cores. And this is quite real in synthetic tests. Without exception, all testing programs will show a clear superiority of the same FX-6300 chip - in working with RAM, in terms of overall system performance, core frequency and overclocking potential, hardware encryption, etc. But for some reason, a similar comparison is not made in gaming applications and work with video editors.

Any resource-intensive game (Rezident Evel 5, DIRT or FarCry 3) will immediately show a potential buyer who is king in the processor market. The owners of 6-8-core systems will be able to save themselves from censure only after overclocking the crystals. Here, the economical Core I3 processor will have to lose ground in some games (which are designed for platforms with a large number of cores). A synthetic test that encodes video in HD format (x264 Benchmark HD) will help decapitate an AMD representative in testing. Overclocking is powerless here - the representative of Intel will break ahead by a huge margin.

Part two: "The most important features of each Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor family. Which of these chips are of particular interest"

Introduction

First, we will highlight the most important features of each Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor family, and then we will talk about which of these chips are of particular interest. For the convenience of readers, we considered it appropriate to present the information in the form of a kind of reference book, and to bring all the data on the current models of the model into small tables. The prices given by us are Russian retail prices, fixed at the time of publication of this material, for processors in a "boxed" configuration (that is, with a branded cooler).

Core i3

Core i3 (Clarkdale) is the latest generation dual-core processor designed for entry-level desktops. First introduced January 7, 2010. It is installed in the LGA1156 connector. Produced using 32nm technology.

Equipped with an integrated PCI Express 2.0 x16 controller, thanks to which the graphics accelerator can be connected directly to the processor. To connect to the system logic set, a DMI (Digital Media Interface) bus with a bandwidth of 2 GB/s is used.

The Core i3 processors have a 12-pipeline GMA HD graphics core clocked at 733MHz.

The base clock frequency for all Core i3 models is 133 MHz, the nominal frequencies are achieved using multipliers.

Compatible chipsets: Intel H55 Express, H57 Express, P55 Express, Q57 Express

Main technical parameters of Core i3

• Nehalem microarchitecture
• Two cores
• L3 cache - 4 MB, shared by all cores
• Integrated PCI Express 2.0 x16 controller
• Integrated 733 MHz graphics adapter
• SSE 4.2 instruction set
• AES-NIS instruction set

Core i5

Core i5 (Clarkdale or Lynnfield) is the latest generation dual or quad-core processor designed for mid-range desktops. First introduced September 8, 2009. It is installed in the LGA1156 connector. The dual-core Clarkdale is manufactured using 32nm technology, the quad-core Lynnfield is manufactured using 45nm technology.

Equipped with a built-in dual-channel DDR3-1066 / 1333 RAM controller with a voltage of up to 1.6 V. Modules designed for a higher voltage will not work with this chip and may even damage it.

Equipped with an integrated PCI Express 2.0 x16 controller, thanks to which the graphics accelerator can be connected directly to the processor. In models with an integrated GMA HD graphics core, one video card in x16 mode can be connected to the chip, in models without integrated graphics, two video cards in x8 mode each.

To connect to the system logic set, a DMI (Digital Media Interface) bus with a bandwidth of 2 GB/s is used.

The dual-core models (6xx series) have a built-in GMA HD graphics adapter and Hyper-Threading technology, the quad-core models (7xx series) do not have graphics and Hyper-Threading. Models ending in 1 have a graphics clock speed of 900 MHz, models ending in 0 have a graphics core clocked at 733 MHz.

All Core i5s feature Turbo Boost technology for automatic overclocking in resource-intensive tasks.

The base clock frequency for all Core i5 models is 133 MHz, the nominal frequencies are achieved using multipliers.

Compatible chipsets: Intel H55 Express, H57 Express, P55 Express, Q57 Express.

Main technical parameters of Core i5

• Nehalem microarchitecture
• two or four cores
• L1 cache - 64 KB (32 KB data and 32 KB instructions) for each core
• L2 cache - 256 KB per core
• L3 cache - 4 or 8 MB, shared by all cores
• Built-in dual-channel DDR3-1066/1333 MHz RAM controller
• Integrated PCI Express 2.0 controller (one x16 lane or two x8 lanes on non-integrated graphics models)
• Integrated 733 or 900 MHz graphics adapter
• Support for VT virtualization technology
• Support for 64-bit Intel EM64T instructions
• Support for Hyper-Threading technology in dual-core models
• SSE 4.2 instruction set
• AES-NIS instruction set
• Antivirus Technology Execute Disable Bit
• Enhanced SpeedStep Dynamic Frequency Technology

Core i7

Core i7 (Bloomfield, Lynnfield, or Gulftown) is the latest generation of four or six-core processors designed for high-end desktops. First introduced in November 2008. Quad-core Bloomfield and Lynnfield are manufactured using 45nm technology, six-core Lynnfield - using 32nm technology.

Available in two versions: 9xx series (for LGA1366 connector) with built-in three-channel memory controller and QPI bus and 8xx series (for LGA1156 connector) with dual-channel memory controller, built-in PCI Express 2.0 controller and DMI bus) DDR3-1066/1333 RAM is supported with voltages up to 1.6 V. Modules rated for higher voltages will not work with this chip and may even damage it.

Processors for the LGA1366 socket are equipped with a high-speed QPI bus operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz (up to 4.8 GB / s) in regular i7 and at a frequency of 3.2 GHz (6.4 GB / s) in Extreme modifications (these include i7-965, i7-975 and i7-980X.

Chips for the LGA1156 connector are equipped with an integrated PCI Express 2.0 x16 controller, thanks to which the graphics accelerator can be connected directly to the processor. To connect with a set of system logic, a DMI (Digital Media Interface) bus with a bandwidth of 2 GB / s is used here.

All Core i7s feature Turbo Boost automatic overclocking technology for resource-intensive tasks, as well as Hyper-Threading technology.

The base clock frequency for all Core i7 models is 133 MHz, the nominal frequencies are achieved using multipliers. In modifications of Core i7 Extreme, the multiplier is unlocked, which allows you to freely increase the clock speed of the processor.

Compatible chipsets: 8xx series - Intel H55 Express, H57 Express, P55 Express, Q57 Express, 9xx series - Intel X58 Express.

Main technical parameters of Core i7

• Nehalem microarchitecture
• Four or six cores
• L1 cache - 64 KB (32 KB data and 32 KB instructions) for each core
• L2 cache - 256 KB per core
• L3 Cache - 8 or 12 MB shared between all cores
• Built-in dual-channel (LGA1156) or triple-channel (LGA1366) DDR3-1066/1333 MHz RAM controller
• QPI bus running at 2.4 GHz (4.8 GB/s) or 3.2 GHz (6.4 GB/s) on LGA1366 models
• DMI bus (2 GB/s) on models for LGA1156
• Integrated PCI Express 2.0 controller (one x16 lane or two x8 lanes on non-integrated graphics models) on LGA1156 models
• Support for VT virtualization technology
• Support for 64-bit Intel EM64T instructions
• Support for Hyper-Threading Technology
• Support for Turbo Boost Technology
• SSE 4.2 instruction set
• AES-NIS instruction set for the i7-980X model
• Antivirus Technology Execute Disable Bit
• Enhanced SpeedStep Dynamic Frequency Technology

What to choose?

The Core i3-530 and 540 processors are quite powerful and inexpensive chips, and the price difference between them is negligible, so there is no point in getting a 530 unless you are on a tight budget.

The Core i3 series chips are direct competitors to the previous generation Core 2 Duo Exxx processors: they cost about the same and provide a comparable level of performance, although somewhat faster. However, while LGA1156 motherboards are more expensive than LGA775 motherboards, buying an i3 chip is a smarter long-term investment than a Core 2 Duo because these processors are not only fast enough today, but can be swapped out for any LGA1156 chip in the future. - even on the super powerful Core i7. If the i3-530 is too expensive for you, you can pay attention to the Pentium G6950 ("boxed" version complete with a standard cooler will cost about 3200 rubles), which is slower than both "three" cards, but practically does not concede to most Core 2 Duo.

As for the quad-core Core 2 Quad, which are slightly more expensive than the dual-core Core i3 (for example, the "boxed" Core 2 Quad Q8300 costs about 5000 rubles), then buying them today only makes sense to upgrade an existing system to an LGA775 socket - in this case it is very reasonable choice.

All 600-series Core i5 processors are high performance, but if you do not need a chip with integrated graphics, there is not much point in buying a model in this family. These models are rather focused on the corporate market - an office computer does not need powerful graphics, and the simpler it is, the more convenient it is to maintain.

For the same money that they ask for chips of the 600th family, it is better to purchase a quad-core i5-750 - this is an ideal choice for building a powerful home PC for a reasonable price. If you make a choice within the 600 series, you should know that the 661 differs from the 660 only in slightly faster integrated graphics, but at the same time with increased power consumption and the lack of hardware support for VT-d I / O virtualization, which is relevant only for corporate users. In other words, if you are buying a CPU for a home computer, it makes sense to prefer the Core i5-661.

For building a powerful gaming PC, the best choice in terms of price / performance is the Core i7-860, all other options will cost significantly more, since you will need a more expensive motherboard based on the X58 Express chipset for the LGA1366 socket.

The six-core "extreme" Core i7-980X is an unsurpassed leader in performance not only for the entire modern line of Intel desktop processors, but also for competing AMD models. Therefore, do not be surprised that a system based on it will cost a rather impressive amount. Fans of the very best can prepare their wallets - this chip is about to appear on the shelves of Russian stores, replacing the previous flagship Core i7-975

Intel has earned fundamental trust from active users desktop gaming PCs, working and computers for home. Reliable and high-performance - this, of course, is about its modern multi-core CPUs. But choosing between AMD and Intel, many of us are faced with very confusing series and names of crystals from the "blue" chipmaker.

This is an instruction on how to understand the processors Intel in 2017 which is the best in the series Core what characteristics mean lineups i3, i5 and i7 and where did they go Intel Pentium and Celeron?

What kind of processors does Intel have in 2017?

Modern Intel processors are divided into three types of the Core family.

Intel "Core i" processors differ from each other:

level cache(own super-memory is a very important characteristic that helps the CPU perform tasks more efficiently);

The presence and absence of certain technologies;

architectural decisions;

goals and their marketing purpose.

Intel Core i3

These are dual-core processors equipped with technology Hyper Threading. It helps to improve performance under high load. It is enough for simple games and most applications under Windows.

Family Intel Core i3 does not have a large cache, does not support Turbo Boost technology, and is most like work and home computers, where the main tasks are related to the Internet, web browsing, light games and office programs.

Intel Core i5

Quad-core processors without Hyper Threading, but with faster processing of physically intensive tasks. The best choice for fans of games and resource-intensive applications. In terms of performance, they often outperform Core i3.

Intel Core i7

Quad-core processors with Hyper Threading for enthusiasts of the world of computers, gamers (for gaming PCs) and professionals. High levels of cache memory, advanced integrated graphics technology and the company's latest achievements at the level of core architecture.

Where did the Intel Pentium and Celeron processors go?

There are practically no old processors left for sale Intel. Series Pentium(for home and gaming computers) and Celeron(working systems) by 2017 were officially transferred from the architectural range to the category of the brand.

Intel Pentium processors out of production since 2009. Since then, the name has been used as a brand name for some entry-level products based on the Intel Core architecture.

Intel Celeron processors finally phased out of commercial production in 2011, giving way to the Atom, Core, and in some cases Pentium series.

Everyone thinks that the Core i3 is just cheaper, and the Core i7 is more expensive - that's not

The prevailing opinion that Intel thus segmented its desktop processors into inexpensive Core i3, mass medium-budget Core i5 and high performance Core i7 for enthusiasts - not entirely true. The model numbers in each family will completely confuse you.

Can you tell what is the difference between Intel Core i5-6400 and Core i5-7600K?

Central processing units within the same series may differ in performance level, different modifications and even generations. Now in a few steps we will analyze what all these numbers and letters mean. You will immediately determine which of the processors, for example, Intel Core i5, is better.

What does the number mean in Intel Core processors after i3/i5/i7?

Number 6 in Intel Core i5- 6 400 stands for generation number ("sixth generation of Intel Core"), like 7 in Core i5- 7 600K means 7 generation of Intel processors for Windows 10. This way you can determine which one is newer and put the models in order.

The last three digits define SKU. In fact, they show how powerful this processor is within the production line. Core i5-7 600 K will be faster than Core i5-7 500 K.

Letters the name shows various additional qualities of the Intel Core processor. Here are the differences:

H- high performance graphics.

K- the ability to unlock the overclocking of the Intel processor.

Q- four physical cores.

QM- the same, but for mobile PCs.

T- Optimized for efficient desktop PCs.

U- optimized with low power consumption for mobile computers.

How to compare Intel, AMD, laptop, PC processors?

There is a universal online service where you can enter the processor model ID and get a table with a full comparison of characteristics and features: cpuboss.com.