Everything about Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors to choose your future CPU

This term often attached to the name of the processor returns very regularly in the quest for a new professional computer. And it is interesting, in particular with the generalization of telework, insofar as Intel VPro PCs offer reference standards in terms of safety, performance, managability and stability.

Core i7 or Core i5: which powerful processor to choose for your laptop ?

For many, it goes without saying that a Core i7 is necessarily more efficient than a Core i5. In practice, this is often true but there are also many cases where performance differences are not so important. Sometimes even, yes, a Core i5 can be faster than a Core i7. Starting from this principle, which processor to choose between the two to be sure to make the right choice, Intel Core i5 vs i7 ? The answer may not be as simple as you imagine it.

Intel processors for laptops: more than 30 references from 3 different generations

At the start, the logic was simple: an Intel Core i7 processor is more efficient than a Core i5, itself more efficient than a Core i3 … But over the years, the Intel processors have been considerably enriched. In its thirteenth generation, it consists of three main ranges where two types of low consumption processors coexist (-u and -p) and a range of “high performance” processors (-H) coexist (-h). And not to make sure, we always have several generations of processors who coexist with the key, again possible performance differences. In summary, a joyful bazaar ! So let’s try to see more clearly in this Intel Core i5 vs i7 duel.

Core i5 vs core i7: the question of needs / performance

Before leaving for concrete examples, it seems important to us to specify that any processor sold on board a laptop at present, Core i5 or Core i7, all references combined, is perfectly capable of taking charge fluent.

In other words, If your standard use focuses on web browsing, Video streaming, a little word processor / spreadsheet and sorting your emails (like 90% of people), The processor is not the component on which your considerations must bring.

In order for the type of processor and its performance to begin to weigh in the scale, you must touch tasks that are decisive, those that really need a CPU boost for their treatment. We think in particular of conversion and video export, photo processing or video editing – and again, the GPU takes an important part in this last field.

Core i5 or core i7 / low consumption or performance, borders are thinning

Each past year, signals the arrival of a new generation of Intel processor and with it, a systematic increase (more or less important) of raw performance. Also, if the needs of the general public and applications also increase, we are now agreeing that all the processors currently on the market are suitable for office use.

For other uses deemed more “professional” for which the question of the CPU arises, we must now see things from this angle:

More than putting an i5 processor face to face and an i7 processor, the new tree tree of this 12th generation (Alder Lake) of Intel processor, divided into three ranges, forces us to review logic. Now, it is much more relevant to consider the ranges -and by extension their TDP (authorized consumption envelope) to gauge performance and understand the difference between an i5 and a current i7: a intel core -u at the 15W TDP will be Thus less efficient than an Intel Core -P (TDP 28W), itself less efficient than an Intel Core -H (S/X) at TDP from 35W to 45W.

No need to reason with this type of comparison: Core i5-1340p against Core i7-1360p or core i5-13500h against core i7-13700h. The performances between the Core i5 and the Core i7 of the same range will be more or less the same as long as we do not focus on the second won on an export for example. Conversely and to illustrate this TDP story, we will end up with the case where a Core i5-13500h will be more powerful than a Core i7-1360p.

Rather than words, we have illustrated this principle on the following graphic. It is based on tests carried out on handbrake software (video conversion), a task that operates essentially the CPU.

The “classic” Intel -h processors (that is to say with 45W TDP) are the fastest here, helped by their higher frequency in turbo mode compared to their low -consumption counterparts.

Core i5-13500h against Core i7-13700h, which processor is the most efficient to play ?

If you want to play on a laptop and ask yourself questions about the processor to favor between a Core i5-H and a Core i7-H, stop there. If you play, and especially if your budget is limited, It is the graphics card that must lead the dance. For example, it is better to have a gaming laptop equipped with a Core i5-13500h associated with a GeForce RTX 4060 rather than a Core i7-13700h supported by a GeForce RTX 3050. The first combination will offer much better performance at stake than the second.

Everything about Intel Core i3, i5 and i7 processors to choose your future CPU !

Whether you are looking for a new computer or want to create your tailor-made PC for your activity, the choice of processor is fundamental. By opting for a model adapted to your needs, it is the assurance of enjoying maximum comfort and serenity in each daily task. But you still have to be able to find yourself among the different models offered !

This article highlights the processors of the Intel Core series which are among the most popular, in particular the Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5 and Intel Core i7; by being interested in both their architecture, their technologies or their uses.

Understand the range of Intel processors

The subtleties are multiple to clearly identify the capacities of the different processors that make up the Intel range. But some major concepts facilitate understanding. For example and in general, an Intel Core i3 processor wants to be less efficient than an Intel Core i5, which itself is less powerful than an Intel Core i7.

• A CPU Intel Core i3 offers performance for multitasking and daily productivity in a office. It is also at ease for light multimedia applications.
• A Intel Core i5 processor shines more by its versatility and its quality/price ratio. Its abilities make it an ally of choice for creativity and multitasking. The technologies it embeds allow it to effectively manage demanding applications.
• Intel Core i7is placed as a high -end processor making no compromise in terms of power and safety. It is the best choice to turn the most gourmet software in fields in fields such as graphic creation, video publishing, 3D rendering, accelerated calculation or even AI.

And by the way, what about the Intel Core i9 ?

We make the choice not to dwell too much on these ultra -powerful processors that really represent the high end at Intel in terms of performance. They are often found within “PC Premium” or work stations and are cut to support all the most gourmet applications in resources. Provided of course that they are accompanied by suitable components. Which is also worth for all other processors.

The number of hearts, essential data

Several elements can be taken into account to apprehend the performance of an Intel Core processor as precisely as possible. Among them, processor speed (or frequency), cache memory size or the presence of certain technologies that optimize efficiency. But the most speaking and certainly the most obvious remains the number of hearts. To schematize a little, the more a processor has hearts, the more it is able to effectively manage several tasks simultaneously; and thus increase the treatment speed and multitasking capacity of a system.

Here is the detail of the number of cores of the Intel Core processors of 13th generation for laptop and office PC:

laptop			Fixed PC
Serious	P series	Series H and HX
I3	1 to 2 +4	4 +0
i5	2 +8	4 +8	4 to 6 +4 to 8	6 +8
I7	2 +8	4 to 6 +8	6 to 8 +4 to 8	8 +8
I9	6 to 8 +8 to 16	8 +16

Numbers in red indicate the number of powerful performance -ores (P-Cores) used to deliver the raw calculation power. They are used to provide all the necessary power for the most greedy tasks. We then talk about single thread.

Numbers in blue Indicate the number of flexible efficients (e-cores) which maximize the efficiency and energy consumption of processors for better multi-thread management. More numerous, they are in support of P-Cores and make it possible to optimize performance in multitasking use.

This global performance optimization is managed automatically by processors and underlines Hybrid architecture of the latest generations of Intel CPU.

All the interest of Intel Thread Director

Recent Intel processors have many technologies that still boost their performance a little more. One of them is called Intel Thread Director. It supports the latest generation CPUs with hybrid architecture with the aim of automatically directing power to the appropriate hearts in order to maximize the overall power available. Several parameters are then taken into account for more effective management of resources.

Concretely, during work on photo montage, the P-Cores are mobilized to offer maximum power. At the same time, e-cores are also hard at work to manage annex tasks (antivirus, emails, music, etc.) and thus release all the computing power for the most delicious task. Optimal management of the different cores available which is done transparently for the user.

What about Intel VPro technology

This term often attached to the name of the processor returns very regularly in the quest for a new professional computer. And it is interesting, in particular with the generalization of telework, insofar as Intel VPro PCs offer reference standards in terms of safety, performance, managability and stability.

Concretely, Intel VPro is a platform that gives modern PCs that are equipped with the assets for the hybrid business world. With also the aim of simplifying the daily life of IT teams by fluidifying computer park management. Basically, bet on professional PCs certified Intel VPro, it is tender towards a superior quality computer experience.

What processor for which activity ?

Here is a summary table which highlights the privileged playgrounds of CPU Intel Core i3, i5 and i7. It also makes it possible to realize the segmentation between the different families of processors.