The Core i3 on the other hand is considerably slower offering almost half the performance of the more expensive i5 and i7 models. The Core i5 and i7 are reasonably well matched - the i7 is just 5% faster when measuring L1 performance. The Core i5 and Core i7 processors were just 700MB/s faster than the Core i3 models.Īlthough the bandwidth between the system memory and the processor didn't vary much from one model to another, the cache performance does. Memory Bandwidth PerformanceĪll four processors were paired with DDR3-1866 memory and this allowed for 22-23GB/s. Not only will we look at integrated gaming performance, but also discrete graphics performance with both mid-range and high-end GPUs. To try and make your purchase decision a little easier, we'll be seeing how the Core range performs in various applications, video encoding scenarios, and of course, gaming. Do they need a Core i7 or will the Core i5 be just as fast for their needs? Should they spend less on a Core i3 and allocate the savings elsewhere, or is the Core i5 worth a premium? With all this information at hand, many builders will wonder which one is right for them. Both versions have 20 execution units, the 4600 just clocks more aggressively under heavier loads and therefore consumes more power. The Core i7 family offers another 2MB of 元 cache over the Core i5 series, taking the total to 8MB, in addition to Hyper-threading for eight threads, which has the potential to boost multi-tasking quite dramatically.įor graphics, the Core i3 lineup uses either the HD Graphics 4400 or 4600, while the Core i5 and Core i7 CPUs use the HD Graphics 4600 exclusively. There are other factors such as operating frequency and integrated graphics, but for the most part it's the cores and cache that matter. Of course, there are Haswell-E chips for $389 to $999, but let's not worry about those for now.Īll three Core processors are based on the same architecture so where they really differ is in their number of cores/threads and cache size. Looking at the current Haswell lineup, we have Core i3 processors ranging from suggested retail prices of $122 to $149, Core i5 chips priced from $182 to $242, and Core i7 parts set between $303 and $339. The Core i3 is intended as an entry-level option, the Core i5 is geared for mainstream usage, and the mighty Core i7 is meant for high-end systems and enthusiasts. Those building an Intel machine these days have loads of options, with desktop CPU prices ranging from as little as $60 to well over $600. Setting a budget is usually the easy part while picking the right hardware to meet that cap is the real challenge, especially with gaming systems as both the CPU and GPU weigh heavily on the overall expense.
When building a new computer, price is often the factor that dictates which components you buy.