You must Sign In to post a response.
  • Is it really necessary to buy a laptop with a higher numbered Intel Core processor?


    Have a query about the processor chips used in laptops? Want to know how the Core chip versions differ from one another? Check out this Ask Expert page for answers to your query.

    I would like to know about the Core chips that are put within a laptop. They have numbers like i3, i5, i7. Looking at the numbers one can assume that the higher the number, the better it would be. I would, though, like to know in what specific way each is better than the previous one. Will the laptop work far slower with an i3?

    Also, an answer to this query would be really helpful: Do I really need to spend on a more expensive laptop with i5 or i7 when a lower-priced one with i3 will do just fine? For example, I do not need a laptop for gaming. I just need it to be able to work with MS-Office, PDF, browse online, and occasionally have a Zoom or Skype call. Will a laptop with i3 be good enough for the online conference calls? Or would it be better to get a laptop with at least i5?
  • Answers

    5 Answers found.
  • These ascending numbers i3, i5, and i7 denote the increasing processing power of the computer. Core is only a prefix and does not relate to the number of cores or thing like that. The difference is basically of speed and multitasking. As regards the i3 processors, they are dual core processors while the 6th generation i5 and i7 processors are quad cores. Incidentally Intel has also introduced the 7th generation fanless (no cooling fan) ultra thin devices which are designed in convertible laptop/ tablet fashion.

    It is not that simply number of cores would make a laptop very powerful there is a combination of factors like number of cores, clock speed, cache size, and technologies like hyper threading and Turbo Boost 2.0. At the same time if number of cores are more it can handle more tasks at a time which eventually leads to a better speed and performance. Another important parameter which makes a device faster is RAM and cache. Whenever a CPU sees that a particular data set or files are being used frequently it keeps them in RAM or cache depending upon the access point and then it does not need to search them in the device memory often. This technique results in achieving higher speed of computations. Manufacturers and designers are inventing newer and newer techniques to increase the speed and also to increase the multifarious data handling capacities of the laptops or computers and newer versions with much more robust claims would always be continuously entering the competitive market.

    Interesting thing to note is that for game enthusiasts and adrenaline loving people there is some sense for going for i7 or i5 but for a user who has to do some simple content writing work using 2-3 common editing softwares and surf the net for information and then occasionally send a few emails here and there the basic version i3 is more than sufficient. It is only that when newer version are introduced we are tempted to them with their described efficiencies but do not think that our tasks are very limited in nature and a gain of few seconds here and there is not going to make any significant difference in our lives.

    Based on your mentioned work load and type of tasks I would recommend you to go for i3 version only.

    Knowledge is power.

  • I series processor are basically generations and they just replaced the earlier Pentium processor. So if you require for office, zoom and Skype then you can go ahead with I series processor. The are very efficient to work with all the above features. suppose if you want to replace it with desktop then laptop is better. The basic difference of this about storage capacity where I processor have less storage than laptop and desktop, for that if you have external storage hard disk then that is also fine. you can go head with I series based on your budget limit.

  • Most probably the 9th Generation Intel Core i9 processor is the latest one. The i7, i5 and i3 are the previous chipest, sequence wise. They are quad core processors. Before Intel i3, there were few processors used, like, core-processor, core2 Duo, dual core processor and single processor etc.

    The latest one like, i7 and i9 etc. has an additional features matching the latest requirement including cooling feature, advanced graphics, better clock speed, storage, better pixel camera, touch-integrated, advanced hardware and on.

    The i3 processor is still better and little lesser than i5 and i7 processor for speed and performance. However, i3 still can be used for the current operational activities whether it could be of personal or official usage.

    For your requirement as stated. 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD-Core, Intel i3 6th Gen and 2GB Graphics specs are enough, and such laptop can get approx at INR 30K to 35K from reputed brand. The same specs with i5 or i7 chipset would cost you double the price for little extra performance.

  • A great deal relies upon the utilization of the PC and the remainder of the equipment in the PC. Easygoing use and web browsing an i3 or proportional with a SSD and adequate RAM is a champ. Most i5 machines are better provisioned with quick SSD plates and plenteous RAM so these will in general be the best an incentive available for some. Programming designers and work circumstances will in general need everything. Numerous spreadsheets, records, word preparing, close and far capacity. Battery life is a typical constraint. A spent battery is a block divider for some and that should be close to the highest priority on the rundown. so basically depends upon
    1.Uses
    2.work
    3.Game
    4.battery consumption

    A PC is in excess of a processor it is a framework (assortment of equipment) that needs to cooperate. Show, console, mouse are the essential interface. A showcase you can't peruse, a console that feels awful, a mouse that is messy and can't be balanced.someone is looking for battery backup. someone is for capable for his work or playing games

  • Let us understand the difference among the three variants i3, i5 and i7prior to our final selection. The following points would help in understanding the qualities of the different cores namely i3, i5 and i7 -
    1) I3 indicates that it has two cores and has the provision of hyper threading making a single core act as two logical processors.
    2) I5 contains four cores and no hyper threading cpu and they are embedded with high end processors for its efficient operation for gaming and video editing etc.
    If the manufacturer did not pay enough attention in relation to the cooling system, it will be significantly louder than a laptop having the provision of i3.
    3) I7 is the most ideal if you are engaged for heavy gaming, video rendering, a lot of multitasking engagements.
    However, the biggest drawback is its prohibiting cost apart from the generation of much heat due to poor cooling system.
    In the nut shell, your selection of the Intel can be judged from the consideration of these angles as shown below-
    I3 - Great single performance providing satisfactory multitasking and excellent for budget gaming.
    I5 -.Same single performance as indicated in I3 but much better at multitasking video rendering and high end gaming.
    I7 - Cost does not satisfy for extreme multitasking jobs.


  • Sign In to post your comments