Intel Core i3 vs. i5 vs. i7: The differences simply explained

In this article we show you the differences between the processor families Intel Core i3 vs. i5. vs. i7. As soon as you compare the basic data of computers, you have already stumbled across this numbering.

Intel Core i3 vs. i5 vs. i7: This is how Intel categorizes the processors

Intel has come up with this naming scheme for its processors so that the performance of the processor is immediately apparent.

• i3, i5 and i7 describe the performance levels of Intel processors. The higher the number, the faster the processor. The Core i9 was launched in 2017. However, this is only intended for professional users.
• Depending on the number, they have different uses and, of course, prices. In the following we show you which processors are suitable for which use.

Overview of Intel Core i3

The Core i3 series from Intel is the entry-level class. This covers all simple applications and is still affordable.

• The Core i3 has enough power for most desktop applications. It is mainly used in office PCs for surfing the Internet, e-mail and office programs.
• The i3 does not consume a lot of power, which is why it is often installed in notebooks. This enables them to perform well with a long battery life.
• Historically, the i3 processors only had two cores. Since the Coffee Lake architecture, Intel has also offered i3 processors with 4 cores.

i5 is Intel's middle class

With the Core i5, Intel offers processors with a good price-performance ratio. The processors can therefore be found in many computers.

• The Core i5 offers enough power for games, video editing or other applications that use a little more resources. Core i5 processors are also often installed in faster laptops.
• With the Core i5, Intel has created exactly the middle between i3 and i7. Price-conscious players in particular often use a processor from this series.
• Technically speaking, the i5 processors have to do with a maximum of 6 cores and without hyperthreading. Hyperthreading is reserved solely for the i7 processors.

Great performance with i7 processors

The processors from the i7 series from Intel offer a lot of performance for particularly computing-intensive applications. They are therefore very popular with professionals and players.

• With a Core i7 processor you have a lot of power for extremely intensive applications such as video editing, rendering, virtual machines or demanding games.
• The i7 is aimed primarily at professional users, but also demanding gamers and home users. If you install an i7 processor, all other components should also be correspondingly strong.
• Intel's i7 processors are capable of hyper-threading. This makes it easier to parallelize calculations. This is particularly noticeable in computing-intensive tasks such as rendering.

In the next practical tips, we will show you how to change a processor and how high the CPU temperature can be.