A Beginners Guide to Intel Processors
Authors: Siddhi Patil, Mrunmayee Phadke, Rahul Sundkar, Rajkumar Dongre, Atharva Raut.
Intel has been a dominant force in the computer processing industry for decades, and its processors are among the most popular and widely used in the world. Over the years, Intel has released a wide range of processor architectures, each with its own unique features and capabilities. From the early days of the Pentium to the latest 13th generation Intel Core processors, there’s a lot to learn about these powerful chips.
One of the most confusing aspects of Intel processors is the variety of organizations used to categorize them. The i3, i5, i7, and i9 designations are perhaps the most well-known, but what do they actually mean? And how do they differ from one another? In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the world of Intel processors, exploring the differences between the i3, i5, i7, and i9 processors and helping you understand which one might be the best fit for your needs.
PROCESSOR FAMILY COMPARISON
In this blog we will discuss the most common Intel processor families, namely the i3, i5, i7 and i9 families. Intel uses different processor organizations like i3, i5, i7, i9 to distinguish between the performance levels of their processors. Each organization represents a different level of performance and is intended to cater to a wide range of users with varying needs and budgets.
Intel Core i3:
The Intel Core i3 processors are designed for basic computing tasks such as web browsing, email, and word processing. They are suitable for entry-level desktops and laptops and can handle basic multitasking but may struggle with more demanding applications.
The 13th gen Core i3 range provides up to 4 cores with a cache size of up to 12MB for minimalistic workloads.
Price Range: $100 — $150
Intel Core i5:
The Intel Core i5 processors offer a good balance of performance and affordability. They are suitable for general use, such as web browsing, email, word processing, and light gaming. They can handle more demanding applications such as photo and video editing, but may not be as fast as the more powerful i7 and i9 processors.
The 13th gen Core i5 range provides 8 to 14 cores with a cache size of 12MB to 24MB for day-to-day use cases of the average consumer.
Price Range: $200 — $320
Intel Core i7:
The Intel Core i7 processors are designed for high-performance computing tasks such as video editing, 3D modelling, and gaming. They offer faster processing speeds and can handle more demanding applications compared to the i5 processors. They are suitable for power users who require a high-performance computer.
The 13th gen Core i7 range provides 10 to 20 cores with a cache size of 12 MB to 30 MB for handling heavier workloads for people who want good performance on a budget.
Price Range: $350 — $410
Intel Core i9:
The Intel Core i9 processors are the most powerful and expensive processors in the Intel line-up. They are designed for heavy-duty computing tasks such as advanced video editing, 3D modelling, scientific simulations, and gaming. They offer the highest processing speeds and can handle the most demanding applications. They are suitable for professionals who require the best possible performance from their computer.
The 13th gen Core i9 range provides 14 to 24 cores with a cache size of 24MB to 36MB for people who want the absolute best performance for everything they do.
Price Range: $520 — $700
NAMING CONVENTION
Now that we’ve discussed what and who these processor families are meant for, let’s talk about the model names given to intel processors. The naming convention of Intel processors is designed to convey information about the chip itself.
You might have seen something like “Intel Core i7–13700K”. The i7 signifies the processor family which can be one of i3, i5, i7, i9. The number after i7 is called the SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) number which is a unique identification code used to track and manage inventory items in a retail or manufacturing environment. In the context of processors, the SKU number is used to distinguish different variations of a particular model, such as different clock speeds, core configurations or different cache sizes.
The first two digits in the SKU number (after the processor family signifier) tell us which generation the processor. In this case the chip is an Intel 13th gen processor (Raptor Lake Architecture).
The rest of the digits signify the different models in the same family. Usually the higher those digits are the better the processor’s performance, but this isn’t a very reliable measure. Actual processor performance depends on a variety of factors and should be concluded after running proper benchmarks.
Most processor model names have a letter at the end which indicate the processor’s intended use or feature set. They can be different for desktop chips and mobile chips (processors made for portable devices like laptops). Here is a list of some common letter suffixes:
- Desktop:
- K: Unlocked for Overclocking
- F: No integrated graphics
- T: Low Power
- S: Performance Optimized
- X: Extreme edition for performance enthusiasts - Mobile:
- H: High Performance
- G: Has integrated graphics
- G7: Has the new Intel Iris Xe integrated graphics
- U: Ultra-low power
- Y: Extremely low power
- E: Made for embedded systems
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Intel processors have come a long way since the early days of the Pentium, and the current i3, i5, i7, and i9 families offer a wide range of performance levels and capabilities to cater to different needs and budgets. From basic to heavy-duty computing tasks, there is an Intel processor for everyone. Understanding the different processor families can help you make an informed decision when purchasing a new computer. The naming conventions used by Intel can also provide valuable information about the processor’s features and intended use. By understanding these factors, you can choose the best Intel processor for your needs and budget.
Source for Intel 13th gen processor prices: https://cpuninja.com/intel-13th-gen-raptor-lake/