Things to Know about Core i3 vs i5 vs i7 vs i9
Suppose you plan to buy a laptop and are confused about the difference between the i3 vs i5 vs i7 vs i9. In this post, we will briefly highlight the key features of all the four available processors.
Intel makes these processors for regular users, gamers, and professionals. The price and performance difference between i3 vs i5 vs i7 vs i9 processors is quite significant.
The primary function of the processor is to handle a task like Surfing, Photo Editing, Video Editing, Animation, Live Streaming, Gaming, and Multi-Tasking.
Let us now discuss the differences between all four processors. We will also discuss the difference between and different Generations of Intel processors.
First of all, we’re going to learn about the differences between all four common processors and about the Core i9 processor we will discuss at the end because it is launched in the 9th Generation. The 9th Generation, all the processor, and technology has completely changed, and so we will learn about it at the end.
Let’s see the differences between Core i3 vs i5 vs i7 vs i9
1. Hyper-Threading Technology
Hyper-Threading is a technology that allows a single processor to act as a dual processor. It means a Single-Core act as Dual-Core.
For Example, if your laptop has two Cores, these two Cores will act as a Quad-Core processor.
All Dual-Core processors from 1st Generation to 8th Generation, all Dual-Core processors support hyper-threading technology.
2. Turbo Boost
Turbo Boost is a technology that means it will overclock the processor speed to give you better performance automatically. It also depends on how much heat your processor is generating.
Please note, if your laptop is cool and running very smoothly and if your processor wants to give better performance, in that case, with the help of Turbo Boost technology, it is automatically going to overclock the clock speed of your processor to give you better performance.
Hyper-Threading & Turbo Boost Technology
| Features | Core i3 | Core i5 | Core i7 |
| Hyper-Threading | Only in Dual Core | Only in Dual Core | Available in all |
| Turbo Boost | Not Available | Available in all | Available in all |
3. Processor Task
i3 processor is made to use basic software like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Photoshop, Surfing, and Gaming at low settings.
i5 processor is made to perform slightly heavy tasks like Photo Editing, Video Editing, Live Streaming, Multitasking, and Gaming at medium settings.
i7 processor is made to perform cumbersome tasks like Photo Editing, Video Editing, Live Streaming, Multitasking, and Gaming in high settings.
Differences between different Generations of Intel Processors
We will understand the Intel processor from the 1st Generation to the 9th Generation. In every Generation, Intel is making some changes in processor technology. This technology is known as Nano Meter (NM). Nano Meter defines the size of the transistor. As small as your transistor size, you will get better performance.
Also, if your transistor size is small, it will consume less voltage. In turn, it will generate less heat. As small as your transistor size, more transistors can fit in a single processor. That single processor will give you better performance as compared to a higher transistor size processor.
The table will show you details of Transistor Size and Graphics Quality in all the Intel processor from 1st Generation to 9th Generation:
| Generation | Transistor Size | Graphics Quality |
| 1st Generation | 42 nm | Intel HD Graphics |
| 2nd Generation | 32 nm | Intel HD 3000 |
| 3rd Generation | 22 nm | Intel HD 4000 |
| 4th Generation | 22 nm | Intel HD Graphics 4600 / 4200 |
| 5th Generation | 14 nm | Intel Iris Pro 6200 |
| 6th Generation | 14 nm | Intel HD Graphics 530 |
| 7th Generation | 14 nm | Intel HD Graphics 630 |
| 8th Generation | 14 nm | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| 9th Generation | 14 nm | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
Consider, if you have a laptop that has i5 with a 3rd Generation processor and one more laptop that has i5 with a 9th Generation processor. So if you play any game on these laptops, then definitely the second processor will give you better performance due to the better Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) present in it.
Overall up-gradation Intel is reducing the transistor’s size and making better Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).
9th Generation processor
In the 9th Generation processor, technology completely changed. Let’s now understand 9th Generation processor using the below table:
| Features | i3 | i5 | i7 | i9 |
| Core | 4 | 4 (Laptop) & 6 (Desktop) | 6 (Laptop) & 8 (Desktop) | 8 |
| Processor Code Name | Coffee Lake | Coffee Lake | Coffee Lake | Coffee Lake |
| Architecture | 14 nm | 14 nm | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Hyper-Threading | No | Yes (Only in Quad-Core) | Yes | Yes |
| Turbo Boost | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| RAM | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 | DDR4 |
| Max Cache | 8 MB | 9 MB | 12 MB | 16 MB |
| Max Turbo | 4.60 GHz | 4.70 GHz | 4.90 GHz | 5.0 GHz |
Processor Task
Core i9 processor is made to perform extremely heavy-duty tasks like Photo Rendering and Editing, 4K Video Editing, Live Streaming, Multitasking, and Gaming at very high settings.
If you find this review helpful and if you’re looking for one of the Intel Core Processor this year then you can select and buy one from the above list suiting your budget, usability, and necessity.
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