Intel Core i3 Vs. i5 Vs.

i7
Intel has now launched its 22 nm third
generation core i3, i5 and i7 lineup, based
on tri-gate (3D) transistors, built to make
your personal computers faster and more
energy efficient. Through the Intel core i3
vs. i5 vs. i7 comparison presented here, we
compare the entirety of three generations
of processors, to help you make a precise
choice according to your computing
requirements.

Pushing the limits of semiconductor technology,

Intel has been constantly innovating to power
the PC evolution into the 21st century. In 2012,
the company launched its sleek 3rd generation
core i3, i5 and i7 processor series, based on 22
nm Ivy Bridge architecture. While the
improvement in CPU clocking is 5% to 15%, the
graphic performance is 20% to 50% better than
the earlier Sandy Bridge line.

In Intel's Tick-Tock cadence (Tock being a

new architecture, Tick being a derived
one), the tri-gate (3D) transistor based
Ivy Bridge is a major Tick, before its
plunge into the mobile computing
focused Haswell line to be launched in
2013. In what follows, a succinct
analysis of the differences between all
three generations of Intel core i3, i5 and
i7 lines is presented to help you make an
informed choice.

If you already have a first or second

generation Intel core i3, i5 or i7
processor up and running, is an
upgrade worth it? How is the i5 or i7
better than the entry-level i3 line of
processors? The answers will be found
in the table presented below, with
detailed explanation offered further.

Intel Core i3 Vs. i5 Vs. i7 Comparison

Intel has presented the new hierarchy of its

processors in three classes. The entry-level
processors are the core i3 series, mid-level
processors are core i5 and high-end ones are core
i7. Let us see how these
three processor lines differ in
Terms of technical specifications
andperformance.

Comparison of 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.
Read more at

Core i3
Third Generation
All core i3 processors come with two cores and four threads
backed by Intel's Hyper-Threading technology that enables
multitasking. Hyper-Threading is simultaneous multithreading
ability that enables parallel computing. The Intel HD graphics 4000
technology offers great visual performance, without a discrete GPU
for any desktop or laptop system. All in all, the core i3 series is a
great entry-level chip that offers all that a home user needs
including high quality graphics and great multitasking ability. The
price tag for current high-end core i3 processors ranges from $176
to $294. The only important feature, that's missing here is the
Turbo Boost technology that provides an on-demand boost in
clocking frequency as needed.
With the 22 nm microarchitecture, the third generation core i3 line
is more power efficient, besides providing better visual
performance through Intel HD Graphics 4000. In terms of CPU
performance, the improvement is marginal. If you have an existing

Second Generation
Launched in January 2011, this core i3 line was
launched to replace the earlier generation. Based on
advanced 32 nm Sandy Bridge architecture, it
includes two desktop lines, which include Core i321xx (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.

First Generation
The Core i3 5xx (Clarkdale) series launched in January 2010,
for desktop computers, consists of four processors (i3-530, i3540, 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 line 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.

Core i5

Third Generation
The core i5 series based on 22 nm microarchitecture provides a top
clocking frequency of 3.8 GHz, with Turbo Boost, along with four
processing threads. These chips are ideally suited for the business
users, who would benefit from the extra multitasking ability.
Second Generation
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.

First Generation
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.

Core i7
Third Generation
The crme de la crme of all Intel processors, the
core i7 processors, along with the extreme variant
(i7-3940XM) are simply the best laptop or desktop
processors money can buy on the planet right now. If
you are a power user, with extreme multitasking
requirements, gaming and nothing less than the
best satisfies you, go for the i7 line.

Second Generation
The second generation i7 line has a whole line of new
quad core processors with 4 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.

First Generation
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.

Intel core i3 Vs. i5. Vs. i7: Performance Comparison

When compared according to performance,

the graph rises higher as you go from the i3
to i5, towards core i7. Core i3 is a great
entry-level processor that offers highdefinition graphics and ensures that
multitasking wouldn't take a toll on
computer speed. This is the default pick for
home users with desktop or entry-level
laptop computers. If browsing the Internet,
watching movies, video chatting and basic
word processing mostly sums up your usage

The core i5 line is speedier and more powerful than i3,

offering all that the entry line offers and more. Turbo
Boost technology, with Hyper-Threading enables four
threads to be simultaneously handled by two different
cores, which in turn, increases processing speed. They
are the best processors for laptops and workstations with
high multitasking and graphic performance
requirements.
A comparison reveals the i7 lines to be simply miles
ahead of the two other processor lines. With Turbo Boost
2.0 enabled, it is also miles ahead of its AMD
counterpart. The benchmark tests reveal core i7
processors to be the clear winners in all departments.
The best processor in the entire lot is i7-3940XM with 8
MB cache and up to 3.9 GHz clocking frequency. The i7
line has an inherent advantage provided by the four
cores. More cores provide greater multitasking and
improve processing speed. You can develop 3D games,

Verdict
Opt for core i3 processors if you are a home user
with graphic intensive or multimedia-centric usage,
coupled with online activities. 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. Choose
according to your budget and requirements.