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This article provides a small comparison of i3 i5 i7 processors. Typical tasks for all Core series processors will also be briefly described. The names of processors from Intel vary so much that the average user will not understand at all what one or the other processor name means. Of course, in itself it carries its own meaning, but at first glance, this is a confusion of abbreviations and numbers.

Before buying a new processor from Intel, a reasonable question will arise, what is the difference between i3 i5 i7 processors. To understand all this, we can divide all the names of Core processors into two groups. The first, the most interesting for us, is the line (i3 / i5 / i7). We will focus our attention on it. The rest of the name, including numbers and letters, shows us the distinctive features of a particular processor, which we will consider below.

There are a couple of main features in the Core series. The socket (socket for installing the processor) in the same generation will always be the same. You won't need another motherboard for the same Core i3 as you would with an i5 or i7. All processors have a built-in graphics core. The sixth generation of Skylake we are reviewing uses 1151 sockets and integrated HD530 graphics.

Core i3

Although i3 processors are the least powerful among the Core processor series, they are an excellent choice for everyday tasks. They have two physical cores, but Hyper-Threading technology makes up for this. Hyper-Threading doubles the available CPU threads by emulating 4 "virtual" cores. The L3 cache size reaches 3-4 MB, depending on the specific model, and the frequencies range from 2.7 to 3.9 GHz. You can buy a processor for 110-140 US dollars.

He can do a little of everything, but he can do nothing perfectly. The performance of these processors is enough for the responsiveness of the system, but heavy tasks like rendering or video editing on them will be flour. They are fast enough to unleash a modern graphics card, so they can be used in entry-level gaming systems with a mid-range graphics card.

Core i5

Sitting right in the middle between the i3 and i7 lines, the i5 line has many of the latest features with pretty good power efficiency. This series does not have Hyper-Threading technology, but has 4 physical cores, Turbo Boost, and processor models with an unlocked multiplier for overclocking. The amount of L3 cache reaches 6 MB (in i5 desktop models).

Turbo Boost allows the processor to temporarily increase the frequency of one or more cores under load, at the cost of increased power consumption and reduced processing power of other cores. In fact, this technology is a kind of overclocking of the physical core. Sixth generation i5 frequencies range from 2.2 to 3.5 GHz and prices range from $180 to $220

Core i7

At the top are the i7 processors. They have four logical cores, as in the i5 line. Hyper-Threading is also present, already creating as many as 8 threads on 4 physical cores. These processors have the highest frequencies, reaching 4 GHz by default and 4.2 GHz with Turbo Boost. The i7 comes with 8MB of L3 cache, and the processors in this line can be purchased for prices ranging from $300 to $340.

Although these processors are endowed with the highest performance, this is clearly more than enough for the average user. It is the processors of this line that will allow you to see by eye how the i3 i5 i7 processors differ. i7 processors are great for programs that can take full advantage of all 8 threads. Despite this, many games still use only 4 cores to this day. Even Photoshop only wins with more than 2 cores when using special filters and operations. If you do not work in Maya and Autodesk on a regular basis, you will hardly see an increase, how and how the i3 i5 i7 differ in simple tasks.

Index values

A processor from any manufacturer has its own indexes, which are in the rest of the name after the manufacturer and product number. The larger the product ID, the more powerful the processor is usually. Letters T, U and Y denote processors designed for low power consumption. The letter K at the end denote processors with overclocking potential, and P indicates the presence of a less powerful graphics core. If you want a more detailed description of the indexes, take a look at the Intel website.

What to buy?

Without delving into all these designations, we can say that Core processors make it easy to determine which one is best for you. This can be seen even by one character in the name of the line. The difference between the i3 i5 i7 lies in the processing power. Another difference between the i3 i5 i7 processors lies in the graphics core. In i5 and i7 it is usually the same, but in i3 it is weaker. Unfortunately, not all users think about the difference between i3 i5 i7 and take a processor whose capabilities are simply not used, or vice versa.

Most users will be fine with the i5, which provides a good price-to-power ratio. i3 will still be a great choice for budget builds, it's a good option for the money. If you are confident that heavy tasks like rendering or editing large video files or modeling will fall on the shoulders of your processor, then the capabilities of the Core i7 will completely satisfy you.

I think that this article has clarified how the i3 i5 i7 processors differ. I hope this information will play a role in choosing one or another processor when buying.

Hello, dear subscribers of our blog. Today I will try to explain how the i3 processor differs from the i5. Surely many are interested in why one Intel Core is much more expensive than another, although you won’t immediately understand what the point is. In this article, we will analyze which stone is best suited for PC games, work tasks.

The comparison will be multistage and contain pivot tables. By the way, in the second part we will consider, and also advise which one for certain tasks.

Separately, I would like to say that we do not specifically mention mobile processors - everything is much more complicated there, besides, special attention is paid to marking rather than to the numerical value of the chips and characteristics.

The difference between Coffee Lake and previous generations

The release of the 8th generation of Intel Core literally set the entire computer hardware market on its ears. The difference between previous generations is colossal, and is expressed in the following figures:

As you can see, the familiar concept has changed radically, as have the technical specifications. This was facilitated by the release of AMD Ryzen, which in the minimum configuration included 4 cores (Ryzen 3 1200).

I am glad that the built-in video remains, like most proprietary technologies and instructions. Another thing is that the graphics quality has not changed compared to Kaby Lake - the same Intel UHD 630.

Difference between i3 and i5

First, let's look at the classic confrontation of processors, and then switch to the more recent Coffee Lake. The confrontation scheme will include several points.

• Number of Cores

The more physical cores, the more operations per cycle the chip performs. For i3, this indicator is 2, for i5 - 4, respectively.

For Coffee Lake, the situation is as follows: both chips have added 2 physical cores, but the i5 is still the leader in this area.

• turbo boost

This technology allows you to significantly increase the frequency of the CPU in automatic mode only in cases where it is really necessary. In fact, this is a “lazy” option for overclocking by a multiplier, which rests on the limitations of the platform, heat pack and cooling. Only i5 has the mode, when i3 has fixed frequencies.

• Hyper Threading

Processors have one physical core, usually one stream of data is supplied, which this core processes. This function (i.e. HT) allows you to use 2 threads at once per 1 core.

Many mistakenly believe that virtual cores are almost identical to physical ones, but in fact the processor does one operation not with one, but with two hands, to put it as simply and intelligibly as possible.

The second, third, fourth and even seventh generation i3 processors supported this feature, but with the advent of Coffee Lake, the number of physical computing units increased from 2 to 4, and the need for technology disappeared. Core i5 do not support the mode natively.

• Cache size

Intel Core i3-8100 Processor Review | Introduction

The Intel Coffee Lake microarchitecture represents the largest generation-level upgrade in more than a decade. From it, in particular, the models of the Core i3 line benefited the most. In the past, Core i3 chips were equipped with two cores with support for Hyper-Threading. The Core i3, codenamed Coffee Lake, already has four physical cores. On paper, this makes them roughly equivalent to the previous generation Core i5 Kaby Lake, only at a lower price.

This was the kind of update they really needed. AMD Ryzen 3 1300X and 1200 processors boast unlocked multipliers and twice as many cores as the previous generation Core i3, what they conquered us. Intel intends to restore parity with the release of Coffee Lake. In response, AMD lowered the prices of Ryzen 5 and 7.

However Core i3-8100 competes in a price range where AMD may not be able to be even more aggressive. All Ryzen processors use the same octa-core die, so they have a fixed cost that cannot be lower even for quad-core Ryzen 3 models.

While Intel currently only sells two Coffee Lake-generation Core i3 models, between Core i3-8100 and chip with unlocked Core i3-8350K multiplier there is a whole abyss of $60. And this latest K-series processor is not a typical Core i3. It doesn't come with a stock cooler, requires expensive Z-series motherboards to overclock, and only costs a few dollars less than the six-core Core i5-8400. Naturally, we would prefer a more productive option.

As for Core i3-8100, it fits perfectly into the familiar price structure of mainstream processors and will pair well with B-series motherboards due to be available early this year. Considering the price of $121 for which you can buy it in online stores, this is the only real competitor to the Ryzen 3 1300X and 1200.

Intel Core i3-8100 Processor Review | Specifications

The entire Coffee Lake line of processors runs at lower base frequencies than Kaby Lake, but has more cores. For the Core i7 and i5 series chips, conservative base frequencies are offset by higher frequencies in Turbo Boost mode, but this technology is absent in the Core i3-8100. And this means that the chip operates at a constant frequency, regardless of how many cores are active. As a result, the 3.6 GHz ceiling for Core i3-8100 may mean lower performance under a light distributed workload compared to a Core i3-7100 running at 3.9 GHz.

Of course, four physical cores also means a performance boost in heavy distributed workloads, where the advantage will be Core i3-8100. However, more cores use more power, so the i3-8100 has a TDP of 65W as opposed to the Core i3-7100's 51W.

Each i3 core has 1.5 MB of cache, for a total of 6 MB of L3. The Core i3-8350K has 2 MB L3 per core, for a total of 8 MB. Ryzen 3 also uses 8MB of L3 cache. However, as we have already seen, in real applications, cache latency and bandwidth can negate the benefits of large volume. The winners will be determined by our tests.

The Core i3 of the Coffee Lake generation supports the same DDR4-2400 RAM as the Kaby Lake models, while the new Core i5 and i7 are already designed for DDR4-2666. The Core i3-8100 has a built-in UHD Graphics 630 graphics accelerator, which is generally no different from the graphics integrated into Kaby Lake. This is the advantage of Intel processors over AMD Ryzen if you do not plan to install a discrete graphics card.

Intel Suggested Retail Price Core i3-8100 is $117, which corresponds to the price of the Core i3-7100 based on Kaby Lake. Prices set for the Coffee Lake line have had a positive impact on their availability, and today this chip can be found in online stores for $121. Thus, he acts as a real competitor to AMD Ryzen 3 1300X for $130 and Ryzen 3 1200 for $110. Let's see how they perform in our tests.

Intel Core i3-8100 Processor Review | test system

Preliminary remarks

MSI motherboards, like many others, have Enhanced Turbo enabled by default, allowing all processor cores to constantly run at maximum Turbo Boost frequency. From a practical point of view, this is tantamount to overclocking. However, this setting only applies to K-series processors, so it does not affect performance. Core i3-8100.

We installed our copy on a motherboard with a Z370 chipset, which supports faster memory. However, following Intel's specifications, we used DDR4-2666 modules at 2400MHz to deliver the bandwidth you'll get on B and H series motherboards.

MSI Z370 Gaming Pro Carbon AC

MSI continues to release new models in the Z Gaming Pro series, equipping them with the same features as the previous ones. Detailed specifications of this board can be found on the manufacturer's website .

Processors for comparison

Test Systems

The Core series has several key features. The socket (socket in which the processor is installed) is the same for all processors of a particular generation. Therefore, when buying, for example, a Core i3 instead of the old one, you don’t have to worry that it may not fit the existing motherboard.

Core i3

Core i3 series processors have the least powerful features, however, it is the best option for solving various everyday tasks. This line is budgetary, which explains its wide demand among users. The processors of this series are dual-core - unlike the rest, which are designed on the basis of four cores. Accordingly, the Core i3 has more limited capabilities.

Main technical characteristics:

• Turbo Boost overclocking function (available on almost all processors from the manufacturer Intel);
• dual-core architecture;
• Intel Vpro technology visualization and AES encryption acceleration features;
• Hyper-Threading technology (the ability to duplicate a logical core, through which each physical core functions as two logical cores).

This series includes processors with a maximum speed of 1100 MHz. With this in mind, there is a slight performance penalty compared to PGI, but this difference is not noticeable when solving simple everyday tasks.

According to the model, the L3 cache size varies from 3 to 4 MB, and the frequency varies from 3.4 to 4.2 GHz. The cost of Core i3 processors is about 110-140 US dollars. The capabilities of the processors of this series allow you to get a quick response to the system when solving standard tasks. However, if you are constantly faced with the need to edit or render video, it is better to give preference to more powerful models. The Core i3 is great for entry-level gaming systems equipped with a mid-range graphics card.

Core i5

Only some processors based on the Sandy Bridge architecture have the Hyper-Threading enhancement feature. Thus, the Core i5 (except for the K series) works with the PGI 2000 system. But among the three series under consideration, it is the Core i5 that is currently in the greatest demand.

The main significant difference between different Core i5 models is the core clock speed, which varies from 2.8 to 3.3 GHz. Depending on this indicator, the cost of the processor is formed. This line allows you to support many advanced features, while giving good energy efficiency.

Technical features:

• the presence of four physical cores;
• lack of Hyper-Threading technology;
• Turbo Boost function (some processor models have an unlocked multiplier for overclocking);
• L3 cache up to 6 MB (for desktop models).

Turbo Boost temporarily increases the frequency of one or more cores. This is due to an increase in power consumption and a decrease in the computing power of the remaining cores. This technology can be considered as overclocking of the physical core.

The seventh generation Core i5 processors have a frequency of 2.4-3.8 GHz. Their cost varies from 180 to 220 US dollars, depending on the technical parameters.

Core i7

Core i7 processors are the pinnacle of technological achievement by Intel engineers. As in the previous line, there are 4 logical cores. Support for Hyper-Threading technology allows you to create 8 threads on 4 physical cores. The processors are distinguished by the highest clock rates: by default - 3.6 GHz, in Turbo Boost mode - 4.2 GHz. The L3 cache is 8 MB.

The introduction of Hyper-Threading technology made it possible to use the processor as an 8-core one. All other parameters are almost the same with the Core i5 series. Installing Core i7 processors can significantly improve PC performance when using the 8-thread mode. However, keep in mind that most programs are not designed to use 8 threads. Therefore, this option will be appropriate only when using resource-intensive applications for:

• video editing;
• video rendering;
• work with advanced scientific and 3D programs.

For users who need to solve only standard tasks, Core i7 processors are unlikely to be a rational purchase. Under normal conditions, the increase in performance will be imperceptible to the user, so it is often better to give preference to the cheaper Core i5 or i3. But Core i7 processors will be an excellent choice for running programs that can take full advantage of 8 threads.

Most modern games still use only 4 cores. The popular Photoshop program works with two cores and requires four only when using special filters and performing other complex operations. The same goes for Autodesk and Maya. If you're running these and similar applications on a regular basis, you won't see any performance gains with the Core i7 processor, as the i3 and i5 series products do just as well.

Selection of the optimal processor

The main problem in building systems with Intel Core products was the selection of connectors and chipsets, because different devices of the same series could differ in connector configuration. These difficulties were eliminated thanks to Sandy Bridge. Now LGA1151 socket and H110, B250, Z270 chipsets

All processors, regardless of manufacturer, have indexes. They appear in the product name after the manufacturer and serial number. Depending on this, the power of processors is distinguished. A detailed description of the indexes can be found on the Intel website. Index examples:

• T, U and Y - low power consumption;
• K - the presence of overclocking potential;
• P - processors with a less powerful graphics core.

The main difference between the Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors lies in the parameters of their computing power and the characteristics of the graphics core (in i3 it is weaker, in i5 and i7 it is almost the same). Most users approach the choice of processor thoughtlessly, so they subsequently do not use the available features or, conversely, suffer from a lack of performance. The presence of special markings and designations makes it quite easy to determine the model of a suitable processor, depending on your needs and the characteristics of the rest of the system.

At the moment, the Core i5 line remains the most popular. These are 4-core processors that provide access to all important functions, in particular Turbo Boost. They are also distinguished by an acceptable price, so they will not hit the budget when assembling or upgrading a computer system. The Core i3 is an inexpensive and reliable option if you don't need high performance for everyday tasks. This is the best option for any budget build. On the other hand, if the processor is required to perform heavy tasks, such as modeling, editing, and rendering large video files, the Core i7 series processors should be chosen. The capabilities of these products will fully satisfy all your needs and ensure maximum system performance.

Modern central processors are not easy to understand even for a specialist: many different models are produced, and their names seem to be specially designed to confuse the buyer.

And if a lot has been written about the Core and Core 2 series for almost five years since their appearance, then there is practically no systematized information about the chips of the three latest families Core i3, i5 and i7, addressed to the consumer, not to the expert.

What are the features of the architecture of new processors, differences from their predecessors?
Finally, why are they better than the still quite relevant Core 2 Duo and Quad?

All processors of the "i" family are based on the latest Nehalem microarchitecture, which replaced the Core at the end of 2008.
The architecture, named after one of the Indian tribes, is an evolutionary development of the Core and differs from it in several fundamental innovations: the placement of all cores on a single chip, an integrated two- or three-channel DDR3 RAM controller, QPI or DMI system buses that replaced the FSB, a cache -memory of the third level, common for all cores, as well as the possibility of embedding a graphics core in a chip.

Nehalem is the first to implement the SSE 4.2 instruction set, their power consumption is 30% less than Core counterparts with comparable performance.
In addition, Hyper-Threading technology has returned to the new chips, which makes it possible to present one physical core as two virtual ones.
The first Nehalem was produced using 45nm technology, and in 2010 a gradual transition to the 32nm process began.
To install processors, a motherboard with LGA1156 or LGA1366 connectors is required.

There are currently four types of desktop processors based on the Nehalem architecture, codenamed Bloomfield, Clarkdale, Gulftown, and Lynnfield.
Of these, Clarkdale are dual-core and manufactured using 32nm technology, Bloomfield and Lynnfield are quad-core and manufactured using 45nm process technology, and Gulftown are 32nm six-core chips.

The bulk of the dual-core i3 and i5 are Clarkdale, the quad-core i5 are Lynnfield, the quad-core i7 are Bloomfield and Lynnfield, and the six-core i7 (it's one so far, it's the 980X) is Gulftown.

Block diagram of the Lynnfield processor

What is the difference between quad-core Bloomfield and Lynnfield?
First of all, Bloomfield has a three-channel memory controller, and Lynnfield has a dual-channel memory controller, which significantly affects the price.
Bloomfield implements a high-speed QPI system bus (25.6 Gb / s), which is used to communicate with the north bridge, which provides the PCI Express 2.0 interface, to which graphics accelerators are connected.