Difference between core i3 i5 and i7
First, the basics. The numbers after the letter "i" are a high level indicative of the processors' relative processing power. i3 - less power... i7 - more power.
Processing power is determined by their Intel Processor Star Ratings, which is based on a collection of criteria involving their number of cores, clock speed (in GHz), size of cache, as well as some new Intel technologies like Turbo Boost and Hyper-Threading.
About cores: Simply, the more cores there are, the more tasks (known as threads) can be served at the same time. The lowest number of cores can be found in Core i3 CPU, i.e., which have only two cores. Currently, all Core i3 are dual-core processors.
Turbo Boost Technology allows a processor to dynamically increase its clock speed whenever the need arises.
Cache is just like RAM, only faster — because it’s built into the CPU itself. Both RAM and cache serve as holding areas for frequently used data. Without them, the CPU would have to keep on reading from the hard disk drive, which would take a lot more time.
Hyper-Threading enables a single core to serve multiple threads. A Core i3, which is only a dual core, can actually serve two threads per core. In other words, a total of four threads can run simultaneously. Core i7 are quad cores, plus they also support Hyper-Threading. giving them a total of eight threads that can run on them at the same time. Combine that with 8 MB of cache and Intel Turbo Boost Technology, which all of them have, and you’ll see what sets the Core i7 apart .i3 is a dual core with hyper-threading. i5 can be a dual core with hyper threading or a quad core without hyper-threading. i7 is a quad core with hyper-threading and extra cache. These here are from desktop models that I've seen. However, the difference shouldn't be too different from the laptop variations. You should be fine with an i3.
i3 designed for low-mid range operation. another solid processor that works slower to process info to the i7
i5 is good for med-high operation. older technology but is solid processor
i7 great for high-ultra operation newest technology
Source(s):
Doctor, Minister, RN, Computer Tech, Consultant, and Author x 30+ years.On laptops, both Core i3 and Core i5 are dual core. Only laptop i7's are quad-core.
For everyday usage, watching movies and multimedia, a laptop Core i3 is fine although an i5 will perform slightly better.
i3 has Hyper threading
i5 has Turbo Boost
i7 has both
They all have Smart Cache, but
i5 has about twice as much as i3.
i7 has about twice as much as i5.
i3 is plenty for movies and multimedia.
Speed and amount of throughput. No reason at all for people to have less than an i7 today.
