Which CPU Should You Buy? Intel Core I5 Vs. I7

Which CPU Should You Buy? Intel Core I5 Vs. I7

- Joel Santo Domingo

For many of us who are on the hunt for a new desktop or laptop PC, one of the biggest considerations is the type of processor. Two of the CPUs most often in contention are the Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7. Discounting Core i3 and m3 (mainly found in budget systems), Core i9 (powerful CPUs for gaming and performance PCs), and AMD processors (another story entirely), the difference between Intel Core i5 and Core i7 can seem daunting, especially when the prices seem so close together once they’re in completed systems. We break down the differences for you.

PRICING AND MARKETING

Simply put, Core i5-equipped systems are less expensive than Core i7-equipped PCs. Intel has moved away from the star ratings it had used with previous-generation Core processors in favor of a capability-driven marketing message. Essentially, the Core i7 processors have more capabilities than Core i5 CPUs. They will be better for multitasking, multimedia tasks, high-end gaming, and scientific work. Core i7 processors are certainly aimed at people who complain that their current system is “too slow.” Spot-checking a system such as the Dell XPS 13 Touch ultra portable, you’ll find the Core i5 to be about $200 less expensive than a similarly equipped Core i7 system.

For the most part, you’ll get faster CPU performance from Core i7 than Core i5. The majority of Core i7 desktop CPUs are quad-core processors, as are the majority of Core i5 desktop CPUs. But some mobile versions of both processors are dual-core. You might also see the rare six- or eight-core Core i7, but that’s usually found with the desktop-only, top-of-the-line Core X and Extreme Edition models. To break it down simply, the more cores you have in your CPU, the faster it will perform.