Difference between i3, i5, i7 please? :)

I think the only thing missing is what is dual or triple channel, I may be wrong but I think all i7 is triple, and anything is is dual.

Looking for i3.



Be aware that some info could be out of date in these pics.
Edited by joemaniaci - 1/7/10 at 11:58am

i3 is the same thing as i5 dual without turbo mode, except much cheaper. that chart actually has i3s on it, except they call them i5... i3 540 and 530.

only the x58 chips do triplle channel, p55 chips are dual channel. don't know much about the other stuff

i9 > i7 > i5 > i3

Honestly, if you want to save money ie; want integrated graphics etc get i3. If you want to game etc get an i5 750 Lynnfield quadcore. $200 for a dual core is just a waste imo.

Sure but its not that simple, being that i7's and i5's cross into 2 different territories.

Core i7: Quad core, hyperthreading, turbo
Core i5 750: Quad core, turbo, no hyperthreading
The other Core i5s: Dual core, hyperthreading, turbo, onboard IGP
Core i7: Dual core, hyperthreading, no turbo, onboard IGP

And the Pentium G6950 I believe is a dual core with turbo and an IGP, but without hyperthreading.


If you're just building an HTPC then the Pentium with an H55 motherboard is your best bet.

If you don't want a discrete video card then you should get a Core i3 with an H55.

If you're building a general purpose home PC then get the i5 750.

If you're going to be doing a lot of video editing or 3d modelling then you'll want a Core i7.

The dual core Core i5s are completely useless, unless you just want to overclock.
Edited by nathris - 1/7/10 at 2:07pm

seriously. i saw the new i5s released (i have the 750) and was almost angry at the higher speeds for almost the same price. but then i realized i have 4 cores while the new i5s have 2!