i3 i5 i7 Comparison

Intel has launched its new family of processors quite recently, that has redefined all notions related to computing performance. This new family of processors consists of three classes - core i3, core i5 and core i7. While the Intel core i3 series has been created, to cater the entry level desktop and laptop computer market, the core i5 series is aimed at the mid level computing segment. The core i7 series is stuffed with high performance processors that can serve the high end market. Every series of processors comes with a lot of variety, in terms of processing speed and features. In this Buzzle article I make an Intel core i3 i5 i7 comparison that identifies the major points of difference between these processor classes.

Difference Between i3 i5 i7 Processors

What set these new processor lines, developed by Intel, to be miles ahead of their closest competitors, are the new technologies developed by Intel to boost performance. The synergy between multi-core processors achieved in Intel core i3, i5 and i7 lines, is what sets them ahead of the rest. Here is an i3 vs i5 vs i7 comparison which discusses how the three processor lines differ in terms of features and performance.

Intel Core i3 i5 i7 Comparison: Technical Features
Let us look at major technical points of difference between Intel core i3, core i5 and core i7 processors. Let's start with the entry level processor line released in January 2010. All the core i3 processors have a twin core, with clocking frequency ranging from 2.933 GHz to 3.2 GHz. A 4MB L3 smart cache, 2 x 256 KB L2 cache and Direct Media Interface (DMI) bus, fitted with the brand new LGA 1156 socket, makes them the best entry level processors. All these chips are built on a 32 nm architecture, which ensures that more transistors can be etched on silicon chips, than before. An integrated GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) makes graphic processing even more faster. With Intel's Hyper-Threading and Virtualization technology enabled, along with HD graphics, these chips are priced at $133.

As the i3, i5, i7 comparison chart on the Intel web site reveals, core i5 line consists of three separate series of processors with twin and quad cores. The twin, as well as quad core ones, come with 4 threads each. The clocking frequencies of these processors range from 2.4 GHz to 3.33 GHz, powered by Intel Turbo Boost technology that boosts clocking frequencies to higher levels, when required. With 4 MB to 8 MB L3 cache, direct media interface, integrated GPU, LGA 1156 socket, Intel HD graphics, Intel smart cache technology and Hyper-Threading enabled, the cost of these processors ranges from $176 to $256. As a core i5 vs core i7 comparison will prove, i5 chips are faster than the i3 chips. They form the mid level segment.

With the core i7 line, Intel has fulfilled its dream of creating the 'Best Processors On The Planet'. In the core i3 vs i5 vs i7 comparison, core i7 is miles ahead of the rest of the pack. This line consists of quad core processors, with clocking frequencies reaching 3.33 GHz powered by Intel Turbo Boost. Also included are six core processors, with 12 processing threads, in the form of Intel core i7 990x and 980x processors. As a quad core vs dual core comparison would prove, greater number of cores can immensely boost computing speeds.

With L3 smart cache ranging from 8MB to as much as 12 MB, Intel QuickPath Interconnect technology (that can enhance data transfer speed to 25.6 GB/Sec), integrated GPU, Hyper-Threading and Intel HD graphics, the core i7 series processors are indeed, unarguably, the best processors ever manufactured. They are meant for high end computing applications, web servers and high end business users. The price of these processors ranges from $200 to as much as $1000.

Intel Core i3 i5 i7 Comparison: Performance
Let us now make an Intel core i3 vs i5 vs i7 performance comparison. Besides being multi-core, what makes the i3, i5 and i7 processors to be computing power houses, is the Hyper-Threading technology, combined with the Turbo Boost feature. An integrated GPU and an enhanced L3 cache makes graphic processing super fast. As an Intel core i3 vs core 2 duo comparison would reveal, the i3 processors surpass the computing power offered by the earlier core 2 duo series. If you are eying an entry level laptop computer, go for the core i3 line. It is great for home use desktop computers too.

If you are a business user, I suggest that you go for the core i5 line, that can handle multitasking even better than the i3 line. With Hyper-Threading enabled and Intel's range of innovative technologies fully operational, the core i5 line is ideal for the business user or home users, who are into intensive gaming. If you want to settle for nothing less than the very best in computing today, go for the high end core i7 line. As you must have realized while going through the core i3 i5 i7 comparison, the i7 line puts phenomenal computing power at your fingertips that was once available, only to supercomputer users! Budget wise, they may be the costliest out of the whole lot, but they offer true value for your money.

Hope this straightforward core i3 i5 i7 comparison has cleared out most doubts from your mind, about these new Intel chips. This article is based on research and data supplied by i3, i5, i7 benchmark tests. Choose any one of these three lines that suits your budget and computing requirements.