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Similarly, there are three i7 processors - the i7-1160G7, i7-1165G7, and i7-1185G7 - and they all match the same core and thread count as the i5s. There are two i5 processors, the i5-1130GG7, each of which comes with four cores and eight threads. These chips pack in as much power as possible while keeping power and thermal demands low. Intel currently offers its Tiger Lake processors for thin and light laptops. i7 on laptops Bill Roberson/Digital Trends It’s cheaper than the 11th-gen counterpart, you can use a cheaper motherboard, and it offers a similar level of performance. If you’re interested in an i7, you’re better off with last-gen’s i7-10700K. It just doesn’t improve on the previous generation much, all while exaggerating power and thermal demands. The i7-11700K isn’t a bad processor per se. It represents an excellent value, with enough power for gaming and light productivity tasks. Out of all the current desktop offerings, we recommend the i5-11600K most. It’s rated for a 125-watt TDP, though the processor can draw far more power when pushed or if you unlock its power limits in the BIOS for higher sustained clock speeds. It has eight cores and 16 threads, a base clock of 3.6GHz, and a boost clock of 5GHz. The 11700K comes with a little more juice than the 11600K. It should be the most readily available chip, and it supports overclocking. If you’re shopping for desktop, make sure to look for the 11700K. Like the range of i5s, this processor comes in several variations with different features. Rocket Lake only has a single i7 chip: The i7-11700. With those specs, the 11600K is a monster CPU for gaming and capable enough to handle applications like Photoshop and Premiere. It has a base clock of 3.9GHz and a boost clock of 4.9GHz. The 11600K sports six cores and 12 threads, with a TDP of 125 watts. You can learn about Intel’s naming scheme in our CPU buying guide. You can deduce the processor’s features from the suffix. The 11600K, for example, is unlocked for overclocking, while the 11400F doesn’t come with integrated graphics. Each step down is slightly worse, so the 11600 tops Intel’s current i5 offerings while the 11400 sits on the bottom.Įach of these processers comes in multiple variations. Thankfully, Intel continued that trend with its 11th-gen Rocket Lake platform. However, to stay competitive with AMD’s Ryzen chips, Intel decided to bring hyperthreading down to i5s and even i3s with its 10th-generation Comet Lake desktop processors. A higher thread count was reserved for the more expensive i7s and i9s.
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Short of a few early processors in Intel’s current branding scheme, i5s haven’t typically supported hyperthreading.
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Those using professional applications frequently will want to opt for an i7 (or even upgrade to an i9, especially if you’re dealing with motion graphics and running simulations). If you want to play games, browse the internet, and dip your toes into applications like Premiere or Photoshop, stick with an i5 (assuming you have a decent GPU backing it up). For video and audio editing, an i7 is ideal, even if you can handle some light tasks with an i5. The latest desktop i7s, in particular, offer more cores and threads, as well as boost frequencies above 5GHz. You can run some intensive applications, such as Adobe Premiere, on an i5, but will see more of a benefit with an i7 than you might in gaming. The most recent i5 chips top out at six cores on desktop and four cores on mobile with boost clock speeds closing in on 5GHz. For most users, an i5 is more than enough to handle day-to-day tasks, and they can even hold their own when it comes to gaming. The i5 processors sit in a sweet spot of price versus performance. Should you buy a Core i5 or a Core i7? Bill Roberson/Digital Trends We’re using Intel’s most recent processors, but keep in mind that you can often find processors from the previous generation or two. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about these two product ranges across desktop and mobile. Core i7 processors have a little more power, and they’re best for users running demanding applications and games at the highest settings.īetween a Core i5 and Core i7, though, there’s a lot more to the story. Intel Core i5 vs i7: What’s the difference?Ĭore i5 processors are great all-purpose chips, offering solid performance for gaming, web browsing, and light productivity tasks. But what’s the difference between them? Like most computer components, there are dozens of models at each tier to choose from, and it can get a little overwhelming. Intel’s Core i5 and i7 CPUs are still the most popular processors you can buy - and for good reason.