ARM processor is a mobile processor for smartphones and tablets. Generations of Intel processors: description and characteristics of models

This article will take a closer look at the latest generations of Intel processors based on the Cor architecture. This company occupies a leading position in the computer systems market, and most PCs are currently assembled on its semiconductor chips.

Intel development strategy

All previous generations of Intel processors were subject to a two-year cycle. A similar strategy for releasing updates from this company was called "Tik-Tak". The first stage, called "Tick", was the transfer of the CPU to a new technological process. For example, in terms of architecture, the Sandy Bridge (2nd generation) and Eevee Bridge (3rd generation) generations were virtually identical. But the production technology of the former was based on 32 nm, and the latter - 22 nm. The same can be said about Haswell (4th generation, 22 nm) and Broadwell (5th generation, 14 nm). In turn, the "So" stage means a radical change in the architecture of semiconductor crystals and a significant increase in performance. An example is the following transitions:

1st generation Westmere and 2nd generation Sandy Bridge. Technological process in this case it was identical - 32 nm, but the changes in terms of the chip architecture are significant - the north bridge of the motherboard and the integrated graphics accelerator were transferred to the CPU.

3rd generation Ivy Bridge and 4th generation Haswell. The power consumption of the computer system has been optimized, the clock frequencies of the chips have been increased.

5th generation Broadwell and 6th generation SkyLike. The frequency has been increased again, the power consumption has been further improved, and several new instructions have been added to improve performance.

Segmentation of processor solutions based on the "Cor" architecture

Intel central processing units are positioned as follows:

The most affordable solutions are Celeron chips. They are suitable for assembling office computers that are designed to solve the most simple tasks.

The CPU of the Pentium series is one step higher. In architectural terms, they are almost completely identical to the junior models of "Celeron". But the increased cache of the 3rd level and higher frequencies give them a certain advantage in terms of performance. The niche of this CPU is entry-level gaming PCs.

The middle segment of Intel CPUs is occupied by solutions based on Cor I3. The previous two types of processors, as a rule, have only 2 computing units. The same can be said about Kor Ay3. But the first two families of chips lack support for the HyperTrading technology, while Cor Ay3 does. As a result, at the software level, 2 physical modules are converted into 4 program processing threads. This provides a significant increase in performance. On the basis of such products, it is already possible to assemble a mid-level gaming PC, or even an entry-level server.

The niche of solutions above the average level, but below the premium segment is filled with chips, occupied by solutions based on "Kor Ay5". This semiconductor crystal boasts 4 physical cores at once. It is this architectural nuance that provides an advantage in terms of performance over Kor Ay3. More recent generations of Intel i5 processors have higher clock speeds and this allows for continuous performance gains.

The niche of the premium segment is occupied by products based on Kor Ay7. The number of computing units they have is exactly the same as that of "Kor Ay5". But they, just like Cor Ay3, have support for the technology code-named Hyper Trading. Therefore, at the software level, 4 cores are converted into 8 processed threads. It is precisely this nuance that provides a phenomenal level of performance that any one can boast of. The price of these chips is appropriate.

Processor connectors

Generations are installed on different types of sockets. Therefore, it will not be possible to install the first chips on this architecture into a motherboard for a 6th generation CPU. Or, on the contrary, the chip with the code name "SkyLike" physically cannot be put into the motherboard for the 1st or 2nd generation processors. The first processor socket was called Socket H, or LGA 1156 (1156 is the number of pins). It was released in 2009 for the first CPUs manufactured to 45 nm (2008) and 32 nm (2009) tolerances based on this architecture. Today it is outdated both morally and physically. In 2010, LGA 1155 comes to replace, or "Socket H1". Motherboards of this series support 2nd and 3rd generation Cor chips. Their codenames are, respectively, "Sandy Bridge" and "Ivy Bridge". 2013 was marked by the release of the third socket for chips based on the Cor architecture - LGA 1150, or Socket H2. This socket could accommodate 4th and 5th generation CPUs. Well, in September 2015, the LGA 1150 was replaced by the last actual socket - LGA 1151.

The first generation of chips

The most affordable processor products on this platform were the Celeron G1101 (2.27 GHz), the Pentium G6950 (2.8 GHz) and the Pentium G6990 (2.9 GHz). All of them had only 2 cores. The niche of middle-level solutions was occupied by "Kor Ay3" with the designation 5XX (2 cores / 4 logical flows of information processing). “Kor Ay5” marked 6XX (their parameters are identical to “Kor Ay3”, but the frequencies are higher) and 7XX with 4 real cores were one step higher. The most productive computer systems were assembled on the basis of "Kor Ay7". Their models were designated 8XX. The fastest chip in this case was labeled 875K. Due to the unlocked multiplier, it was possible to overclock the same price, he had a corresponding one. Accordingly, it was possible to get an impressive increase in performance. By the way, the presence of the "K" prefix in the designation of the CPU model meant that the multiplier was unlocked and this model could be overclocked. Well, the prefix "S" was added in the designation of energy efficient chips.

Planned renovation of architecture and "Sandy Bridge"

The first generation of chips based on the Cor architecture was replaced in 2010 by solutions codenamed Sandy Bridge. The key "chips" were the transfer north bridge and an integrated graphics accelerator on a silicon die of a silicon processor. Niche most budget decisions occupied the "Celerons" of the G4XX and G5XX series. In the first case, the L3 cache was cut and only one core was present. The second series, in turn, could boast of having two computing units at once. The Pentiums of the G6XX and G8XX are one step higher. In this case, the difference in performance was provided by more than high frequencies... It is the G8XX because of this important characteristic looked preferable in the eyes of the end user. The Kor Ay3 line was represented by the 21XX models (the number 2 indicates that the chip belongs to the second generation of the Kor architecture). Some of them had a "T" at the end - more energy efficient solutions with reduced performance.

In turn, the Kor Ay5 solutions were designated 23XX, 24XX and 25XX. The higher the model mark, the higher the level of CPU performance. The “T” at the end is the most energy efficient solution. If the letter "S" is added at the end of the name - an intermediate version in terms of power consumption between the "T" - the version of the chip and the standard crystal. Index "P" - the graphics accelerator is disabled in the chip. Well, the chips with the letter "K" had an unlocked multiplier. This marking is also relevant for the 3rd generation of this architecture.

The emergence of a new, more progressive technological process

In 2013, the 3rd generation of CPUs based on this architecture was released. Its key innovation is an updated technical process. For the rest, no significant innovations were introduced into them. They were physically compatible with the previous generation of CPUs and could fit into the same motherboards. Their designation structure remained identical. The Celerons were designated G12XX and the Pentiums were designated G22XX. Only at the beginning, instead of "2" was already "3", which indicated belonging to the 3rd generation. The Kor Ay3 line had 32XX indexes. More advanced "Kor Ay5" were designated 33XX, 34XX and 35XX. Well, the flagship solutions "Kor Ay7" were marked 37XX.

The fourth revision of the architecture "Cor"

The next stage was the 4th generation of Intel processors based on the Cor architecture. The marking in this case was as follows:

The Celerons economy class CPUs were designated G18XX.

Pentiums had the G32XX and G34XX indexes.

The following designations were assigned to "Kor Ay3" - 41XX and 43XX.

“Kor Ay5” could be recognized by the abbreviations 44XX, 45XX and 46XX.

Well, for the designation "Kor Ay7" 47XX were allocated.

Fifth generation of chips

based on this architecture, it was mainly focused on use in mobile devices... For desktop PCs, only chips of the Ay 5 and Ay 7 lines were released. And only a very limited number of models. The first of them were designated 56XX, and the second - 57XX.

The most recent and promising solutions

The 6th generation of Intel processors debuted in early fall 2015. This is the most current processor architecture at the moment. Entry-level chips are designated in this case G39XX ("Celeron"), G44XX and G45XX (this is how Pentiums are labeled). The Kor Ay3 processors are designated 61XX and 63XX. In turn, "Kor Ay5" is 64XX, 65XX and 66XX. Well, only the 67XX marking is allocated for the designation of flagship solutions. The new generation of Intel processors is only at the beginning of its life cycle and such chips will remain relevant for quite a long time.

Overclocking features

Almost all chips based on this architecture have a locked multiplier. Therefore, overclocking in this case is possible only by increasing the frequency. In the last, 6th generation, even this possibility of increasing the speed will have to be disabled in the BIOS by motherboard manufacturers. The exception in this regard are the Kor Ay5 and Kor Ay7 series processors with the K index. Their multiplier is unlocked and this allows you to significantly increase the performance of computer systems based on such semiconductor products.

Owners opinion

All generations of Intel processors listed in this material have a high degree of energy efficiency and a phenomenal level of performance. Their only drawback is their high cost. But the reason here is that Intel's direct competitor, AMD, cannot oppose it with more or less worthwhile solutions. Therefore, Intel is already proceeding from its own considerations and sets a price tag for its products.

Outcomes

This article took a closer look at Intel desktop-only processor generations. Even this list is enough to get lost in designations and names. Apart from this, there are also options for the computer enthusiast (platform 2011) and various mobile sockets. All this is done only so that the end user can choose the most optimal one for solving his problems. Well, the most relevant now from the considered options are chips of the 6th generation. These are the ones to look out for when buying or assembling a new PC.

The heart of a computer is called a processor, which is its main processing device. The part looks like a chipset and is responsible for computing processes. How to choose a processor for a computer is the most important question when buying equipment. The overall speed of the system largely depends on the performance of this part. In order not to regret your purchase, choose accessories based on their characteristics.

Main characteristics of the processor

Manufacturer. There are two main competitors for computer processors - AMD and Intel. The second firm is considered a leader in cutting edge technology. The main advantage of AMD over Intel is relatively low prices... Moreover, the production of the first is slightly inferior to the second in productivity (on average, by 10%), but the cost is 1.5-2 times lower.
What is CPU clock speed? This parameter determines how many operations the device can perform per second. What does the processor frequency affect: high rate of this characteristic promises fast data processing by the computer. The parameter is considered one of the most important when choosing a device. How to find out the frequency in Windows: you need to open the properties menu on the My Computer icon with the right mouse button.
Number of Cores. This indicator affects the number of programs that can be run on a PC without losing its performance. Older computer models are equipped with quad-core or dual-core processors. New devices released during recent years, have 6- and 8-core parts. However, if software optimized for a dual-core PC, more cores will not speed it up. On the part box, you can see the alphanumeric markings, the decoding of which will provide data on the number of cores.
System bus frequency. The characteristic speaks about the speed of streams of incoming or outgoing information. The higher the indicator, the faster the exchange of information.
Cache memory. An important role in the operation of the PC is played by the processor cache, which looks like a high-speed memory block. The part sits directly on the core and is needed to improve performance. Thanks to it, data processing is faster than in the case of RAM. There are 3 levels of cache memory - from L1 to L3. The first two have small volumes, but the third ones, which provide for a large capacity, are surely winning due to the speed of work.
Connector type (socket). This characteristic is not considered paramount, but it has a certain relevance when choosing a device. A socket is a "socket" in the motherboard that houses the processor, so it must be compatible with the part you choose. For example, if the socket is marked with AMZ, a corresponding connector on the motherboard is required. The latest models are equipped with modern types of "jacks" and often have improved characteristics (bus frequency and others).
Power consumption and cooling. Powerful modern devices provide Negative influence on the power consumption of the computer. To avoid overheating of parts and their breakage, special fans (coolers) are used. To use the TDP indicator, which indicates the amount of heat required in the outlet. Based on this value, a specific model of the cooling system is selected.

How AMD differs from Intel

A frequently asked question among those who want to buy a processor is: "What is better AMD or Intel?" The main difference is the hyper-strength technology and the increased compute pipeline that Intel models have. Thanks to this, the devices perform a number of tasks faster: they archive files, perform video encoding, and perform other tasks. Parts from AMD do the job just as well, but spend more time on it. Everyone determines for himself which processor is better than Intel or AMD.

To make your choice easier, check out the merits of the products from both manufacturers. Comparison of AMD and Intel processors:

Intel advantages	AMD advantages
High speed PC	The optimum ratio of price and quality
Economical energy consumption	System stability
High gaming performance	Multitasking
Core i7 and i3 multithreading gives extra performance	The ability to speed up the work of processes by 5-20%
Perfectly tuned work with RAM	Multiplatform (the ability to assemble a PC from parts of different generations of AMD)

Which processor to choose for a computer

The answer to this question depends on the tasks that the PC will have to perform. So, when choosing a gaming computer, attention should be paid to the video card model, since the graphics adapter is responsible for supporting certain technologies and levels of performance in games. However, without a properly sized central processor, the video card will not reveal its potential. For working with other programs or using a PC in the office, less demanding parts are suitable.

For games

How to choose a processor for a gaming computer? There are a number of requirements for a "gaming" PC. The device must be able to handle at least four data streams. Benchmark results have proven that Intel Hyper-Treading technology increases the number of frames per second. Experts consider Intel Core i5 models optimal for a gaming PC. Parts from AMD show lower performance. If in the line from Intel 4-core devices cope with their tasks, then their competitors show the same result with 8-core counterparts. Which processor should you choose for gaming?

Top devices for games:

Intel Core-i5 Ivy Bridge (Quad Core)
Intel Core i5-4440 Haswell (Quad Core)
AMD FX-8350 Vishera (eight-core).

For home or office use

Browsers and other programs necessary for office work require an impressive amount of RAM, but practically do not load the hard drive and processor. Therefore, it is better to choose a computer with a large amount of memory. However, processor performance should not be neglected either. According to the test results, models from the Intel Core i3 or i5 lines will be a good solution.

List budget devices for office:

Intel Celeron G1820;
AMD ATHLON II X2 255;
AMD ATHLON II X4 750K;
AMD A8-6600K.

For demanding programs

This category includes parts, the function of which is to ensure the fast operation of demanding programs, for example, video, graphic editors, etc. Devices of this type are expensive components and are distinguished by maximum performance. This category of processors is often of interest to gamers who want to get the best picture quality while gaming.

Overview best devices for demanding programs:

AMD FX-8350 (8-core) Ideal for games and other programs designed for. Differs in speed and reasonable price.
Intel i7-4770 (4-core). Runs games at the highest possible settings, works quickly, ideally optimized for Intel graphics cards.

Ranking of the best PC processors of 2019

Intel Core i7-990x. Ideal for the latest generation of gaming PCs. The device is designed for socket 1366, is equipped with 6 cores, has a frequency of 3.46 GHz and 12 megabytes of cache memory. Estimated cost: 38,000 rubles.
Intel Core i7-3970X Extreme Edition. One of the most popular models. Equipped with 6 cores, has 15 MB cache and 3.5 GHz clock speed. Works great with any new demanding games and programs. Estimated cost: 46,000 rubles.
Intel Core i5-4690K. Inexpensive model will show excellent results in terms of performance. Compared to other devices, the i5-4690K stands out due to its value for money. The processor is equipped with a third-level cache memory, has a 3.5 GHz clock speed and 4 cores. Estimated cost: 22,000 rubles.
AMD FX-9370. The most powerful AMD processor has a new AM3 + socket and 8 cores, developing a maximum frequency of up to 4.4 GHz. The model is equipped with 8 MB of cache memory, which allows you to improve your PC and use any programs, games. Estimated cost: 20-22,000 rubles.
Intel Xeon E3-1230 v3. The quad-core device belongs to the fourth generation of Intel processors. It is equipped with a socket type 1150, which is considered the best among the existing ones. The clock speed of the Xeon E3-1230 v3 is 3.3 GHz, the cache memory is 8 MB. Estimated cost: 22,000 rubles.

2015 Processor Test Table

To understand how to choose a processor for your computer, you should read the results of their testing. The devices are tested based on Windows 7 (64-bit). For this, certain programs are selected to unleash the potential of multithreading, to determine whether there is support for AMD Turbo CORE (dynamic overclocking) and Intel Turbo Boost Technology, whether it is possible to use new SIMDs. The test results are expressed as a percentage of the performance of the fastest existing device, having a 100% result.

Summary table of processor performance:

Name	Result
Intel Core i7-5930K BOX
Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme
Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme BOX
Intel Core i7-5820K BOX
Intel Core i7-4790K
Intel Core i7-4790K BOX
Intel Core i7-4790
Intel Core i7-4790 BOX

Intel Core i7-4820K BOX
Intel Xeon E3-1240 V2

Intel Xeon E3-1230 V2

If you want to buy a processor, you should study its characteristics. For example, in the pursuit of frequency, many forget about the peculiarities of the kernel of a particular manufacturer, which negatively affects the performance of the computer. To remain satisfied with your purchase, you need to consider the parameters of the device and its compatibility with other parts. Find out how to choose the right processor for your computer by watching this video.

· 16.02.2017

Everyone knows what a processor (CPU) is, as well as its importance. The phrase that it is the "brain" of any computer was imposed in my teeth. However, this is true, and the capabilities of a laptop or desktop PC are largely determined by this component. When planning to buy a new computer, you need to understand that one of the main characteristics is the processor. Each model contains the name of the CPU used, the main characteristics. How to determine at a glance which one is faster and which one is slower, which one to prefer if you often have to work autonomously, and which processor is better for games? This material is a kind of small guide in which I will tell you what markings for Intel processors exist, how to decipher it, determine the generation and series of the processor, and give the main characteristics. Go.

Main characteristics of processors

In addition to the name, each processor has its own set of characteristics, reflecting the possibility of using it for a particular job. Among them, the main ones can be noted:

Number of Cores... Shows how many physical processors are hidden inside the chip. Most laptops, especially those with U version processors, have 2 cores. More powerful variants have 4 cores.
Hyper-Threading... A technology that allows you to divide the resources of the physical core into several threads (usually 2), executing simultaneously, in order to increase performance. Thus, a 2-core processor in the system will be seen as a 4-core processor.
Clock frequency... Measured in gigahertz. In general, we can say that the higher the frequency, the more efficient the processor. Let's make a reservation right away that this is by no means the only criterion that reflects the speed of a CPU.
Turbo Boost... A technology that allows you to increase the maximum frequency of the processor under high loads. Versions "i3" are deprived of automatic frequency change, but in "i5" and "i7" this technology is present.
Cache... A small (usually 1 to 4 MB) amount of high-speed memory, which is part of processor. Allows you to speed up the processing of frequently used data.
TDP (Thermal Design Power)... A value that indicates the maximum amount of heat that must be removed from the processor to maintain its normal operating temperature. Typically, the higher the value, the more efficient the processor and the hotter it is. The cooling system has to cope with this power.

Intel Processor Labels

The first thing that catches your eye is the marking, consisting of letters and numbers.

It's clear what the name is. The manufacturer releases its processors under this trade name. It can be not only "Intel Core", but also "Atom", "Celeron", "Pentium", "Xeon".

The name is followed by the processor series identifier. It can be “i3”, “i5”, “i7”, “i9” for “Intel Core”, or it can be “m5”, “x5”, “E” or “N”.

After the hyphen, the first digit indicates the generation of the processor. At the moment, the newest is the 7th generation Kaby Lake. The previous generation of Skylake was numbered 6.

The next 3 digits are the serial number of the model. In general, the higher the value, the more efficient the processor. So, i3 has a value of 7100, I5 - 7200, i7 is marked as 7500.

The last character (or two) indicates the processor version. It can be symbols "U", "Y", "HQ", "HK" or others.

Processor series

With the exception of budget models of laptops or stationary PCs, the rest use processors of the "Core i3", "Core i5", "Core i7" series. The higher the number, the more powerful the CPU. For most day-to-day use, an i5 processor is optimal. A more productive one is needed if the computer is used as a gaming computer, or if it requires special computing power to work in "heavy" applications.

Generation of processor

Intel updates the generations of its processors approximately every year and a half, although this interval tends to increase to 2-3 years. They switched from the Tik-Tak scheme to the Tik-Tak-Tak production scheme. Let me remind you that this strategy for the release of processors implies that at the "Tick" step there is a transition to a new technical process, and the changes made to the processor architecture are minimal. In the "So" step, a processor with an updated architecture is released on the existing technical process.

№	Name	Supported memory	Technical process	Video card	Year of issue
1	Westmere	DDR3-1333	32nm	—	2008-2010
2	Sandy bridge	DDR3-1600	32nm	HD Graphics 2000 (3000)	2011
3	Ivy bridge	DDR3-1600	22nm	HD Graphics 4000	2012
4	Haswell	DDR3-1600	22nm	HD Graphics 4000 (5200)	2013
5	Broadwell	DDR3L-1600	14nm	HD Graphics 6200	2014
6	Skylake	DDR3L-1600 / DDR4	14nm	HD Graphics 520 - 580	2015
7	Kaby lake	DDR3L-1600 / DDR4	14nm	HD Graphics 610 (620)	2016
8	Coffee lake	DDR4	14nm	UHD Graphics 630	2017

The transition to a finer technical process allows you to reduce power consumption, improve the characteristics of the processor.

Processor version

This indicator may turn out to be almost more important than simply comparing, say, i3 with i5. If we talk about laptops, then in most cases 4 versions of Intel Core processors are used, which have different TDP values (from 4.5 W in the Y version to 45 W for HQ), and, accordingly, different performance and power consumption. Long battery life depends not only on the processor, but also on the battery's own capacity.

I will cite the versions of Intel Core processors, starting with the lowest-powered ones.

"Y" / "Core m" - low performance and passive cooling

Used in portable devices and small laptops. Passive cooling keeps your computer quiet. However, it is not suitable for serious tasks. At the same time, even taking into account the TDP of 4.5 W, the compactness of the devices does not allow for a serious battery, which negates all the advantages of low power consumption.

In general, if the task is not to buy something like Apple MacBook 12 or ASUS ZENBOOK UX305CA, then you should give preference to more powerful processors.

Model	Clock frequency, GHz	Turbo Boost, GHz	Cache, MB	TDP, W	Video card
Core i7-7Y75	1.3	3.6	4	4.5	Intel HD 615
Core m7-6Y75	1.2	3.1	4	4.5	Intel HD 515
Core i5-7Y54	1.2	3.2	4	4.5	Intel HD 615
Core i5-7Y30	1.0	2.6	4	4.5	Intel HD 615
Core m5-6Y57	1.1	2.8	4	4.5	Intel HD 515
Core m3-7Y30	1.0	2.6	4	4.5	Intel HD 615
Core m3-6Y30	0.9	2.2	4	4.5	Intel HD 515

"U" - for everyday use

U-series processors are the most optimal choice for a laptop for every day. it best combination performance, energy consumption and cost. TDP 15W allows you to achieve both the ability to cope with almost any task, and obtain good time autonomous work.

There are modifications of the 7th generation processors with a TDP of 28W, which use the improved graphics Intel Iris Plus 640 or 650.

Passive cooling cannot be dispensed with, but this is compensated for by performance. The difference from the more powerful versions lies in the presence of only 2 cores, even in the "i7" series.

Examples of processors in the table.

Model	Clock frequency, GHz	Turbo Boost, GHz	Cache, MB	TDP, W	Video card
Core i7-7600U	2.8	3.9	4	15	Intel HD 620
Core i7-7660U	2.5	4.0	4	15	Iris Plus 640
Core i7-7567U	3.5	4.0	4	28	Iris Plus 650
Core i7-7500U	2.7	3.5	4	15	Intel HD 620
Core i7-6600U	2.6	3.4	4	15	Intel HD 520
Core i7-6567U	3.3	3.6	4	15	Iris 550
Core i7-6500U	2.5	3.1	4	15	Intel HD 520
Core i5-7200U	2.5	3.1	3	15	Intel HD 620
Core i5-7267U	3.1	3.5	4	28	Iris Plus 650
Core i5-6287U	3.1	3.5	4	15	Iris 550
Core i5-6200U	2.3	2.8	3	15	Intel HD 520
Core i3-7100U	2.4	—	3	15	Intel HD 620

"HQ" / "HK" - Quad-core, high-performance

The best choice if you are looking for a laptop for gaming or work with resource-intensive applications. The "HQ" version has 4 cores, which in combination with Hyper-Threading technology gives 8 threads. Power consumption (TDP) of 45 W is bad for battery life. In order for the laptop to withstand several hours on battery power, it is advisable to choose batteries with a larger capacity, for example, with 6 cells.

"HK" differs from "HQ" by an unlocked multiplier, which makes it possible to "overclock" by manually increasing the operating frequency of the processor. Similar versions of the 7th generation processors were announced only in January 2017, so at the moment almost all laptop models are based on the HK and HQ version processors of the previous 6th generation. Nevertheless, there will obviously not be a long wait for new models.

Examples of processors in the table.

Model	Clock frequency, GHz	Turbo Boost, GHz	Cache, MB	TDP, W	Cores / Threads	Video card
Core i7-7920HQ	3.1	4.1	8	45	4/8	Intel HD 630
Core i7-7820HK	2.9	3.9	8	45	4/8	Intel HD 630
Core i5-7700HQ	2.8	3.8	6	45	4/8	Intel HD 630
Core i5-7440HQ	2.8	3.8	6	45	4/4	Intel HD 630
Core i5-7300HQ	2.5	3.8	6	45	4/4	Intel HD 630
Core i7-6970HQ	2.8	3.7	8	45	4/8	Iris Pro 580
Core i7-6920HQ	2.9	3.8	8	45	4/8	Intel HD 530
Core i7-6870HQ	2.7	3.6	8	45	4/8	Iris Pro 580
Core i7-6820HQ	2.7	3.6	8	45	4/8	Intel HD 530
Core i7-6770HQ	2.6	3.5	6	45	4/8	Iris Pro 580
Core i7-6700HQ	2.6	3.5	6	45	4/8	Intel HD 530
Core i5-6440HQ	2.6	3.5	6	45	4/4	Intel HD 530
Core i5-6300HQ	2.3	3.2	6	45	4/4	Intel HD 530

Xeon E - for high-performance workstations

These processors are used in powerful notebooks that serve as high-performance workstations. This technique is primarily aimed at those who are engaged in 3D modeling, animation, design, perform complex calculations where high power is required. The processors have 4 cores, Hyper-Threading technology is present.

Usually, there is no need to talk about the ability to work from batteries for a long time. Autonomy is not something that laptops using such processors have.

Examples of processors in the table.

Model	Clock frequency, GHz	Turbo Boost, GHz	Cache, MB	TDP, W	Video card	Generation
Xeon E3-1535M v6	3.1	4.2	8	45	Iris Pro P630	7
Xeon E3-1505M v6	3.0	4.0	8	45	Iris Pro P630	7
Xeon E3-1575M v5	3.0	3.9	8	45	Iris Pro P580	6
Xeon E3-1535M v5	2.9	3.8	8	45	HD Graphics P530	6
Xeon E3-1505M v5	2.8	3.7	8	45	HD Graphics P530	6

Now I will list the rest of the processors that can be found in laptops, but which are not part of the "Intel Core" family.

"Celeron" / "Pentium" - for the economical and not in a hurry

	Low cost. Easy tasks (web surfing, office programs).
	Games not for serious work.

You should forget about games (except for very simple ones), heavy tasks. The lot of laptops with such processors is leisurely office work, surfing the Internet. It is possible to give preference to models with a CPU of this level only if the price is one of the main selection criteria, or it is planned to use Linux or OS from Google. Unlike Windows, the hardware requirements are noticeably lower.

Celeron processors have a power consumption of 4 to 15 watts, with models starting with the letter “N” (for example, N3050, N3060, etc.) using 4 to 6 watts. Models with the letter "U" (for example, 2957U, 3855U, etc.) are more productive at the end and their power already reaches 15 watts. There is usually no gain in battery life when using the Celeron Nxxxx, since in budget notebook models they also save on batteries.

Pentium processors are more productive than Celeron, but still belong to the budget segment. Their TDP is at the same level. The battery life can be up to several hours, which, while not as dull as the Celeron, makes for a very decent office laptop.

These processors are available in both dual-core and quad-core versions.

Examples of processors in the table.

Model	Clock frequency, GHz	Turbo Boost, GHz	Cache, MB	Cores / Threads	TDP, W	Video card
Pentium N3560	2.4	—	2	2/2	37	HD Graphics
Pentium 4405U	2.1	—	2	2/4	15	HD 510
Pentium N3700	1.6	2.4	2	4/4	6	HD Graphics
Celeron N2970	2.2	—	2	2/2	37	HD Graphics
Celeron 3765U	1.9	—	2	2/2	15	HD Graphics
Celeron N3060	1.6	2.48	2	2/2	6	HD Graphics

Atom - Long Battery Life and Depressing Performance

Examples of processors in the table.

Model	Clock frequency, GHz	Turbo Boost, GHz	Cache, MB	Video card
Atom x7-Z8700	1.6	2.4	2	HD Graphics
Atom x5-Z8500	1.44	2.24	2	HD Graphics
Atom Z3735F	1.33	1.83	2	HD Graphics

Integrated graphics

All processors have an integrated graphics card that is labeled "Intel HD Graphics". For 7th generation processors, the video core marking starts with "6" (for example, HD Graphics 610), for the 6th generation - with "5" (for example, HD Graphics 520). Some of the top-end processors have a more powerful built-in video card labeled "Iris Plus". Thus, the i7-7600U processor has an Intel HD Graphics 620 on board, and the i7-7660U has an Iris Plus 640.

We are not talking about serious competition with solutions from NVidia or AMD, nevertheless, for everyday work, watching videos, simple games or at low settings, you will still be able to have some fun. For more serious gaming needs, a discrete graphics card is required.

UPD. 2018. It's time to add something to what has been said. Recently, models have appeared in the line of manufactured Intel processors that have the letter "G" in the marking at the end. For example, i5-8305G, i7-8709G and others. What is special about them? to begin with, I will say that these CPUs are focused on use in laptops and netbooks.

Their peculiarity is in the use of an "integrated" graphics video processor released by AMD. Here is such a joint work of two sworn competitors. It was not for nothing that I enclosed the word "inline" in quotation marks. Although it is considered to be one with the processor, physically it is a separate chip, albeit located on the same substrate with the CPU. AMD supplies ready-made graphics solutions, and Intel only installs them on its processors. Friendship is friendship, but the chips are still apart.

"In short, Sklifosovsky!"

"So which processor is the best for me", probably, many will ask. A lot has been written, in varieties, characteristics and so on, you can get confused, but you have to choose something. Well, for the impatient I will put everything in one table, which will arrange the processors according to their applicability for certain purposes.

Laptop class	Recommended CPU	Example	Autonomy, hour
Workstation / powerful gaming	Core i5 / i7 HQ	Core i7-7820HK, Core i5-7440HQ	3-8
	Core i7 U	Core i7-7500U	5-17
Universal	Core i5 U	Core i5-7200U, Core i5-6200U, Core i5-6300U	5-17
Versatile, with enhanced capabilities	Core i7 U	Core i7 8550U	5-17
Universal	Core i5 U	Core i5 8250U,	5-17
Ultrabook Slim Compact	Core m / Core i5 / i7 Y	Core m3, Core i5-7Y54	5-9
Budget	Celeron, Pentium	Celeron N3050, Pentium N4200	4-6
Tablet, cheap compact laptop	Atom	Atom Z3735F, Atom x5	7-12

Upd. 2018. Time does not stand still and after the appearance of a new, 8th generation of processors, it is necessary to significantly revise the applicability of processors for certain tasks. In particular, the most noticeable changes have occurred in the segment of energy efficient "U" processors. In the 8th generation, these are finally full-fledged 4-core "stones" with significantly better performance than their predecessors, while maintaining the same TDP value. Therefore, I don't see any point in choosing something like i7 7500U, i5 7200U, etc.

The only argument that can influence the decision to prefer these particular CPUs is a significant discount on laptops with them on board. In other cases, the old "U" s have no chance against newer processors.

I must say right away that this is an average classification that does not take into account financial costs, the need to choose one or another option. And the overall performance does not only depend on the processor. Even a powerful "stone" may not reveal its potential if a small amount of memory is installed, a budget hard drive is used, and programs that are "greedy" for hardware resources are used.

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189 comments

The next 3 digits are the serial number of the model. In general, the higher the value, the more efficient the processor. So i3 is 7100, I5 is 7200, i7 is labeled 750; what does that mean? why are the 7th generation processors listed?

Hello everyone!
I wanted to know about Intel processors. I noticed a long time ago that when buying a newly released processor, the year is indicated on its cover, but the year does not correspond to the year of purchase, for example, the processor was presented in 2018, but on the Intel '13 processor.
Is this a year of development?
Andrey, hello. Help me choose a laptop for playing Dota 2. The amount is up to 70 thousand. Tomorrow I will go for a laptop, I still have not decided which one I want) I read a lot which one to take and so on. But since I do not rummage in this, it gave me almost nothing)) help with advice, thanks in advance.
Hello. And I have this on a stationary PC
asustek computer inc motherboard M4A785T-M (AM3)
amd phenom iix4 965 deneb 45nm technology. Is it possible to find a replacement for the motherboard?
Good article, informative 🙂
But there is one remark and, subsequently, a question. The article does not describe the markings T, K, S. And there are also Pentiums G-series, but it doesn't matter)
And the next one immediately at the expense of marking k. As far as I know, k is an unlocked multiplier, i.e. the processor lends itself to overclocking, is that so?
Does the k-factor have anything to do with Hyper-Threading Technology?
I can't understand why the i7-3770k has 4 cores and 8 threads, and the similar in performance i5-3570k has 4 cores and 4 threads, although both have the k mark.
Hello. I am looking for a laptop to work with AutoCad 2016. Help advice which one to choose. There is a lot of information, but it is impossible to bring it all together. Thank you in advance.
Good afternoon. Super article. I have been interested for a long time and there is a question ... just about the letter M ... I saw what you answered about mobility ... but hlyellsb would like to know if the difference with U and HQ / HK is significant. What is the percentage, say, in terms of games and work with graphic editors?
Please tell me which is better lenovo i5-7200U + mx130 8ram ddr4-2133 or acer i3-8130U + mx150 8ram ddr4-2133? Does it make sense to overpay for a more expensive acer?
Hello, I have a laptop acer aspire 7750g intel core i5 2450M 2.50GHz + turbo boost I want to put an external video card via EXP GDC
does it make sense and what is the optimal video card to take for games thanks
Hello!
Are there any other questions…..
Found three interesting options with an i7 8750H with a GTX 1070 ... and one with an i7 7700HQ with a GTX 1080.
i7 7700HQ with GTX 1070 many options and lower price.
In general, it hangs with the choice of Aser, Asus or Del. All very cool (in my opinion) ... ... in the same price range.
With a cool card, this is ASUS ROG GL702VI ... .. makes sense?
Plus, I found an option with an i7 7820HK processor (which seemed to be very popular earlier).
And how much better for this case?
I take mainly for games .... what do you recommend?
Until now, I have used a simpler technique. Much a lot.
Often it is impossible to change, I want to with a margin. Thank you.
Good evening, thanks for giving some clarification on this topic, if it's not difficult you can advise several gaming laptops in a budget of up to 45 thousand, looked at the HP 15-bs105ur 2PP24EA, but I would like to hear your options still.
Thank you in advance.
Good day! Please tell me if you need a laptop for programming. We are considering options like Aser swift 5 with 16 Gb of RAM with Intel Core i7 8550U. I know that in ultrabooks there is a limitation of the processor frequency to reduce overheating. Do you think this will greatly affect the operation of the laptop? Or is it better to consider a heavier, air-cooled laptop?
Andrey, good evening. Thanks for the article, very informative. I would be grateful if you could clarify one point. Roughly narrowed the circle, taking into account my needs (diagonal 17, not for games, for 3d autocad? Budget up to 65tr) to ACER Aspire A717. But then I got confused in the modifications. There are two similar modifications with a difference only in the series. The first one is cheaper screen: 17.3 ″; screen resolution: 1920 × 1080; processor: Intel Core i5 7300HQ; frequency: 2.5 GHz (3.5 GHz, in Turbo mode); memory: 8192 MB, DDR4; HDD: 1000 GB, 5400 rpm; SSD: 128GB; nVidia GeForce GTX 1050 - 2048 MB the second is more expensive by 6tr (65tr) Intel Core i7 7700HQ; frequency: 2.8 GHz (3.8 GHz, in Turbo mode); memory: 8192 MB, DDR4; HDD: 1000 GB, 5400 rpm; SSD: 128GB; nVidia GeForce GTX 1050 - 2048 MB;
Is it worth overpaying for the series? and generally normal hardware for my requirements? I am also puzzled by the fact that these prices are relevant, provided that the Linux operating system on Windows will be 7-10 thousand more expensive.
- Hello.
  Linux is, consider, without an operating system. They don't take money for it. And licensed Windows is at least several thousand.
  AutoCAD loves processors with a higher frequency. In general, the i7 is better, but there is one thing - cooling. it is not a fact that the laptop will cope with the cooling of the i7 under prolonged load. In a sense, he will cope with it, but how much faster the i7 will work in this mode compared to the i5 is a question. And it would be better to have more memory. I would still put 16 GB of memory. More, probably, not really necessary. Although you can upgrade yourself later, if necessary. SSD is a must. Better would be 240-256 GB, 128 is still not enough. I think i5 is enough.
  Why a laptop? Isn't a hospital better for such tasks? And it's easier to upgrade, and there are no problems with cooling.
  - Many thanks. The specifics of the work are such that it is more convenient to use a laptop. with cooling I will buy a stand so as not to steam)) you can buy it cheaper without ssd, but there you have to remove the entire back cover to add ssd? which is fraught with loss of warranty, and modifications with higher capacity come with more expensive components. Separately, there is a window for a regular hard drive, maybe you can shove a hybrid version of hhd + ssd there? It is also very interesting how much worse or better processor 8th generation but with U series (2 cores) than 7 series but HQ series?
Modification NH.GTVER.006 is indicated on the box. I don't see such an assembly on the website of the manufacturer. The citylink does not say anything about the matrix, but the phone managers say that ips. I looked in other stores, they also write ips there. In any case, I will try to return or exchange, insisting that within 7 days I have the right under the law and contract)
Hello, could you comment on this unit here:
Dell Vostro 5568 (Intel i5-7200U 2500MHz / 8192MB / SSD 256GB / nVidia GeForce 940MX / gold)
Good day, Andrey!
I ask for advice on choosing a laptop.
The budget is up to 50-55. But if you can meet cheaper, then much better.
The main goal is to connect to a 4K TV and the ability to view content (video) in this format. Games are not relevant, but the ability to pull them (in 4K, well, or in FullHD) will be a good addition. Working with documents, surfing.
Nominees:
1. Acer Aspire A715-71G-51J1 NX.GP8ER.008
2. ASUS FX553VD-DM1225T 90NB0DW4-M19860
3. Dell G3-3579 G315-7152 Blue
Keep in mind that we will increase HDD and SSD on our own, RAM will be installed in the future.
Thanks in advance!
PS From your publication and responses to comments, I found out that it is necessary to select a laptop without an OS. This significantly reduces the cost of its final cost.
Hello.
Tell me please. The choice of laptop is in the Asus and MSI models.
Which model is preferable?
The main thing is computing power and RAM. For example, to work with given programs.
Hello. I am looking for a gaming laptop in the price range up to 70,000:
The shops advise
- Asus VivoBook 15 K570UD
- Lenovo IdeaPad 330 Series 330-15ICH
Please rate and tell me what other models might fit. The firm is preferable to Asus, but I will not turn up my nose from others. I would like to choose the optimal selection of processor (i5 8300H / i7 8550U / i7 8750H and above) and video card (GeForce® GTX 1050 / GeForce® GTX 1050 Ti and above) + SSD. Screen is preferred 17.
Thanks in advance.
P.S. Is it true that the i5 8300H will discharge and overheat the laptop faster? Should I focus on him or on the i7 line in the aisles of my sum?
Good afternoon. Please recommend a laptop for: development (for IDE - no problems), photoshop, illustrator. It is desirable that ssd + hdd (but you can just hdd, with the ability to add ssd), 8GB RAM (more is possible). She herself got confused in the options ...
The previous one was with a 2nd generation i5, 6 GB of RAM and an integrated + discrete graphics card. I want it not worse, the budget is 50k.
Thanks!
Hello Andrey! I understand that the article is about processors, but I see that you are helping with the choice of a laptop. I will make the same request. I've already broken my head - I've read a lot of information, watched the video ... everything got mixed up.)) A laptop is needed for use at home, mainly for my daughter to study, but sometimes my husband and I will also use it - for him to make presentations, for me - to work with photos, watch films ... My daughter has vision problems - we are considering only a 17-inch screen with a good resolution. We are not gambling addicts - we are not planning to play tanks. Maybe if only in easy games, and even then for children. Budget up to $ 1500. Well + \ - $ 200. Consider the firms Asus, Aser and Dell. We give preference to the latter. We do not consider HP, there are no arguments, just intuitively I don’t want to. And I would also like a metal laptop. Weight does not bother - we will use it only at home. Please, advise several models in your opinion suitable for our family. Thank you very much in advance!
Hello.
I am looking for a laptop for work. I do accounting and look at the screen a lot. Budget around $ 850. I wanted to choose a laptop with good screen 15.6 inches and the ability to occasionally play games (at medium and low settings, but modern games). Of all the models for this money, I liked the Acer Aspire 7 A715-72G-513X NH.GXBEU.010 Black Laptop and the Lenovo IdeaPad 330-5ICH 81FK00FMRA Onyx Black laptop (https://ktc.ua/goods/noutbuk_lenovo_ideapad_330_15ichra_81fk00fk /ktc.ua/goods/noutbuk_acer_aspire_7_a715_72g_513x_nh_gxbeu_010_black.html). The filling seems to be the same. I can not decide. Help me make a choice. Maybe I missed something? Maybe the model is more interesting? I'll put the OS myself. Can the SSD be delivered to any laptop, or does there have to be a special connector for this?
Hello! Could you recommend a reliable laptop in the region of up to 40,000. Needed for watching movies, listening to music, internet. I don't play games. Previously, I considered the HP 15-bw065ur 2BT82EA Laptop, but it is very embarrassing that this company does not have very good reviews. (cooling problem). Now I am considering the ASUS R542UF-DM536T laptop. But now it is confusing that the Core i3-8130U processor is 2.2 GHz. I understand that if the letter is U, then you should not take it. In general, I am confused about the characteristics and do not know which one to choose. Please advise.
Hello from Kyrgyzstan, and I would like to know if I have a choice between an i5 8265U with 8 GB of RAM, a 4GB mx130 video card and an i5 7300HQ with 8 GB of RAM, a GTX 1050 Ti video card. What to choose (the purpose of the purchase is programming and maybe in the future to play toys), despite the fact that the second option is sold used? The price of the first is 43.5k, and the second is paid for 45k soms (at the rate of soms and rubles, almost 1 to 1). I would be grateful for the answer)
Good afternoon!
Please consult on budget RAM.
I bought a laptop with 4GB RAM soldered on board. I checked the availability of a free slot for an additional bar.
In terms of volume and frequency, I will buy DDR4 2133 8GB.
Search found the following brands:
1. Apacer
2. Goodram
3. Foxline
Which manufacturer. is it better to give preference? The price for everyone is in the region of 3300-3700 rubles. Or maybe there are some other manufacturers?
Thanks in advance!
Hello. Tell me which laptop to choose for work and watching movies. I need not expensive, I have looked after two options so far: ASUS F540BA-GQ193T laptop (AMD A6 2.6GHz / 15.6 "/ 1366x768 / 4GB / 500GB HDD / AMD Radeon R4 / DVD no / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Win10 Home x64) and Laptop Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15AST (81D600FQRU) (AMD A4-9125 2.3GHz / 15.6 "/ 1366x768 / 4GB / 500GB HDD / AMD Radeon 530 / No DVD / Wi-Fi / Bluetooth / Win10 Home x64). And yet, what is the difference in two almost identical laptop models, but only different letters: Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15AST (81D6002GRU) and Lenovo IdeaPad 330-15AST laptop (81D600FQRU). The designation in brackets. Info from the sites of two well-known retail chains. I would be very grateful for your answer. Thanks.

ARM processor- mobile processor for smartphones and tablets.

This table lists all currently known ARM processors. The ARM processor table will be updated and updated as new models become available. This table uses a conditional system for evaluating the performance of the CPU and GPU. ARM performance data has been taken from a wide variety of sources, mainly based on benchmarks such as: PassMark, Antutu, GFXBench.

We do not claim absolute accuracy. Absolutely accurate to rank and evaluate the performance of ARM processors impossible, for the simple reason that each of them, in some way has advantages, and in some way lags behind other ARM processors. The ARM processor table allows you to see, evaluate and, most importantly, compare different SoCs (System-On-Chip) solutions. Using our table, you can compare mobile processors and find out exactly how the ARM heart of your future (or present) smartphone or tablet is positioned.

Here's a comparison of ARM processors. We looked and compared the performance of the CPU and GPU in various SoCs (System-on-Chip). But the reader may have several questions: Where are ARM processors used? What is an ARM processor? How does ARM architecture differ from x86 processors? Let's try to figure it all out without going too deep into the details.

First, let's define the terminology. ARM is the name of the architecture and at the same time the name of the company that develops it. The abbreviation ARM stands for (Advanced RISC Machine or Acorn RISC Machine), which can be translated as: advanced RISC machine. ARM architecture brings together a family of both 32 and 64-bit microprocessor cores developed and licensed by ARM Limited. I would like to note right away that ARM Limited is solely engaged in the development of kernels and tools for them (debugging tools, compilers, etc.), but not in the production of the processors themselves. Company ARM Limited sells licenses to manufacture ARM processors to third parties. Here is a partial list of companies licensed to manufacture ARM processors today: AMD, Atmel, Altera, Cirrus Logic, Intel, Marvell, NXP, Samsung, LG, MediaTek, Qualcomm, Sony Ericsson, Texas Instruments, nVidia, Freescale ... and many more other.

Several companies licensed to manufacture ARM processors are creating their own versions of the cores based on the ARM architecture. Examples include: DEC StrongARM, Freescale i.MX, Intel XScale, NVIDIA Tegra, ST-Ericsson Nomadik, Qualcomm Snapdragon, Texas Instruments OMAP, Samsung Hummingbird, LG H13, Apple A4 / A5 / A6 and HiSilicon K3.

ARM-based processors are currently running virtually any electronics: PDA, mobile phones and smartphones, digital players, handheld game consoles, calculators, external hard drives and routers. They all contain an ARM core, so we can say that ARM - mobile processors for smartphones and tablets.

ARM processor represents a SoC, or "system on a chip". SoC system, or "system on a chip", can contain in one crystal, in addition to the CPU itself, and other parts of a full-fledged computer. This is a memory controller, and a controller for I / O ports, and a graphics core, and a geolocation system (GPS). It can contain a 3G module, as well as many other things.

If we consider a separate family of ARM processors, say Cortex-A9 (or any other), we cannot say that all processors of the same family have the same performance or all are equipped with a GPS module. All these parameters are highly dependent on the chip manufacturer and what and how he decided to implement in his product.

How ARM differs from X86 processors? The RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture itself implies a reduced instruction set. Which accordingly leads to very moderate energy consumption. Indeed, inside any ARM chip there are much fewer transistors than its counterpart from the x86 line. Do not forget that in an SoC system, all peripheral devices are located inside one microcircuit, which allows the ARM processor to be even more economical in terms of power consumption. ARM architecture was originally designed to compute only integer operations, in contrast to x86, which can work with floating point or FPU calculations. It is impossible to unambiguously compare these two architectures. In some ways, ARM will have an advantage. And somewhere else, and vice versa. If you try to answer the question in one phrase: what is the difference between ARM and X86 processors, then the answer will be: ARM processor does not know the number of instructions that an x86 processor knows. And those that know look much shorter. This is both its pros and cons. Be that as it may, lately everything says that ARM processors are starting to slowly but surely catch up, and in some ways even surpass the usual x86. Many are openly claiming that ARM processors will soon replace the x86 platform in the home PC segment. As we have already, in 2013, several world-famous companies have completely abandoned the further release of netbooks in favor of tablet PCs. Well, what will actually happen, time will tell.

We will keep track of the ARM processors already on the market.

The holidays and vacations are in full swing, but the weather outside the window is not very good. What to do like that? I propose to spend time with pleasure: to play computer games. Does your "old man" can't handle modern toys? Perhaps, . But which one?

Today's article is intended to help you decide on the choice of "gem" for a gaming PC. The ranking of the best processors for mid-summer 2017 includes models that have shown the optimal balance in terms of performance and price. For your convenience, we have divided them into 3 groups: costing approximately $ 100, approximately $ 200 and approximately $ 300. So that no one feels left out, each group consists of a pair of processors - one Intel and one AMD.

About $ 100: Intel Core i3-7100 and AMD FX-8320

Intel Core i3-7100

The Intel Core i3-7100 desktop processor is the most balanced in terms of cost and performance in the $ 100-120 price segment. In combination with a top-end video card from 2016-2017 and a motherboard based on H270 or Z270 chipsets, it allows you to play comfortably in the absolute majority modern games... Except, perhaps, the most demanding ones.

Yes, it has only 2 cores, but this drawback is compensated for by the high clock frequency (3900 Mhz), support for DDR4-2400 memory and, to some extent, Hyper Threading technology, which allows the operating system to use each physical core as 2 logical ones. In addition, the "pebble" has good built-in graphics with support for 4k resolution at 60 Hz. Due to it, you can do without a discrete video card if for some reason postponed its purchase.

Specifications

Microarchitecture: Kaby Lake (7th generation).
Number of cores: 2.
Clock frequency: 3900 Mhz.
Socket: LGA1151.
Process technology: 14 nm.
Multiplier: 34, unlocked.
L1 cache: 64 Kb (instructions + data).
L2 cache: 512 Kb.
L3 cache: 3072 Kb.
PCI Express controller: yes.
Technologies: Hyper Threading (hyper-threading), EM64T (x64 support), Virtualization Technology (virtualization), Enhanced SpeedStep (power saving), hardware encryption, XD Bit, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSSE3, VT-x, MMX.
Thermal Power (TDP): 51 W.
: 100 ° C

The most attractive qualities of the Core i3-7100: high performance, reasonable price, integrated graphics and low TDP - the included small cooler is enough to cool the processor even at maximum load.

Disadvantage - only works on Windows 10 (as well as Linux and Mac OS). Those who cannot part with the G7 and G8 will have to choose - either a system or a new processor. By the way, this drawback applies not only to Intel Core i3-7100, but to the entire Kaby Lake and AMD Ryzen line.

AMD FX-8320

A MD FX-8320, though old, is an extremely successful model of a gaming "stone". In mid-2017, the balance of its performance and price reached optimal indicators, which gave us a reason to include it in today's rating and put it on a par with Intel Core i3-7100.

8 cores, 4000 Mhz frequency with the ability to increase up to 4600 Mhz and more due to overclocking by a multiplier (here, unlike its competitor Intel, it is free), as well as support for DDR3-1866 memory perfectly show themselves in multi-threaded games like Battlefield.

Specifications

Microarchitecture: Vishera.
Number of cores: 8.
Clock frequency: 3500-4000
Socket: AM3 +.
Process technology: 32 nm.
Multiplier: 17.5, free.
Integrated graphics: no.
L1 cache: 96 Kb.
L2 cache: 2048 Kb.
L3 cache: 8192 Kb.
PCI Express controller: no.
Maximum supported memory capacity: 128 Gb.
Supported memory standards: DDR3-800 / 1066/1333/1600/1866. There is ECC support.
Technologies: AMD64 (x64 support), Virtualization Technology, AMD PowerNow (noise reduction), Turbo Core 3.0 (overclocking at peak loads), NX Bit, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4, SSE1, SSE4.2, SSSE3, MMX, VT, XOP, TBM.
Thermal power (TDP): 125 W.

Advantages of AMD FX-8320: high performance, nice price ($ 115-120), multiplier makes it possible to assemble an inexpensive gaming computer that will remain relevant for the next 3-4 years.

Disadvantages: very hot - requires a powerful cooling system, consumes a lot of power, does not have a graphics core.

Around $ 200: Intel Core i5-7500 and AMD Ryzen 5 1600

Intel Core i5-7500

I ntel Core i5-7500 sold in retail stores at a price of $ 200-210, that is, about a hundred more expensive than the i3-7100. However, for this money, you will get 4 full-fledged physical cores, which in gaming systems is much preferable to virtual ones, as well as as many as 6 Mb of L3 cache.

The clock speed of this processor reaches 3800 Mhz (or a little more) during dynamic overclocking, there is an integrated video - the same as in the i3-7100, and support for DDR4-2400 memory.

Specifications

Microarchitecture: Kaby Lake.
Number of cores: 4.
Clock frequency: 3400-3800
Socket: LGA1151.
Process technology: 14 nm.
Multiplier: 39, unlocked.
Integrated graphics: HD Graphics 630.
Graphics core frequency: 1100 Mhz.
L2 cache: 1024 Kb.
L3 cache: 6144 Kb.
PCI Express controller: yes.
The number of PCI Express 3.0 lanes: 16.
Maximum supported memory capacity: 64 Gb.
Supported memory standards: DDR3L-1333/1600, DDR4-2133 / 2400.
Technologies: Turbo Boost0 (overclocking at peak loads), EM64T, Virtualization Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep, Intel vPro (remote computer control outside the OS), hardware encryption, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4a , SSSE3, MMX, TBT 2.0, VT-x, XD Bit.
Maximum temperature: 80 ° C

Intel Core i5-7500 advantages: fast, cold (TDP 65 W), supports dynamic overclocking (Turbo Boost 2.0), integrated graphics, Intel vPro function is implemented. The latter allows you to remotely edit the BIOS and run diagnostic tests outside the operating system by connecting to a computer over a network.

Disadvantages - there is no support for the popularly beloved Windows 7, no hyperthreading, a locked multiplier (for this price, as many believe, they could implement Hyper Threading and make multiplication free).

AMD Ryzen 5 1600

R yzen 5 1600 is another AMD representative, this time modern and also very successful. Onboard 6 physical and 12 virtual cores (supports multithreading), free multiplier and 16 Mb L3 cache. A bonus is support for DDR4-2666 memory (Intel's competitor has a maximum DDR4 frequency of 2400 MHz). Standard core clock rates are 3200 MHz, with dynamic overclocking - 3600 MHz, after overclocking by a multiplier - up to 4200 MHz.

Processors based on the Zen microarchitecture, one of which is the Ryzen 5 1600, are characterized by low power consumption and TDP (which is unusual for the bulk of AMD products). In addition, the boxed package of the model includes a compact, efficient and quiet cooler, the power of which is sufficient even with some overclocking.

Specifications

Number of cores: 6.
Clock frequency: 3200-3600 Mhz.
Socket: AM4.
Process technology: 14 nm.
Multiplier: 32, free.
Integrated graphics: no.
L1 cache: 96 Kb.
L2 cache: 3072 Kb.
L3 cache: 16384 Kb.
PCI Express controller: yes.
The number of PCI Express 3.0 lanes: 16.
Maximum supported memory capacity: 64 Gb.
Supported memory standards: DDR4-1866 / 2666.
Technology support: multithreading, AMD64, virtualization, hardware encryption, Precision Boost, Pure Power, SSE instructions, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4a, SSSE3, MMX ...
Thermal power (TDP): 65 W.

Pros of AMD Ryzen 5 1600: excellent performance at a reasonable price ($ 200-210), low heating, low power consumption, overclocking by a multiplier, the ability to unleash the potential of any modern video card.

Cons: no integrated graphics, no Windows 7 support.

Around $ 300: Intel Core i7-7700K and AMD Ryzen 7 1700

Intel Core i7-7700K

The Intel Core i7-7700K is the best price / performance ratio among the top processors today. Here's what it has: 4 physical and 8 virtual cores, a free multiplier, 8 Mb L3, the frequency of each core is 4500 MHz in Turbo Boost mode and 5000 MHz in overclocked mode. To my mind, great opportunities for the most demanding toys. Also in the presence of another gentleman's kit - support for DDR4-2400 and an integrated graphics core HD Graphics 630 with higher clock rates than the younger brothers of the Kaby Lake family.

Specifications

Microarchitecture: Kaby Lake.
Number of cores: 4.
Clock frequency: 4200-4500
Socket: LGA1151.
Process technology: 14 nm.
Multiplier: 42, free.
Integrated graphics: HD Graphics 630.
Graphics core frequency: 1150 Mhz.
L1 cache: 128 Kb (instructions + data).
L2 cache: 1024 Kb.
L3 cache: 8192 Kb.
PCI Express controller: yes.
The number of PCI Express 3.0 lanes: 16.
Maximum supported memory capacity: 64 Gb.
Supported memory standards: DDR3L-1333-1600, DDR4-2133-2400.
Technology support: Hyper-Threading, Turbo Boost0, EM64T, Virtualization Technology, Enhanced SpeedStep, hardware encryption, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSSE3, MMX, XD Bit.
Thermal Power (TDP): 91 W.
Maximum temperature: 100 ° C

Intel Core i7-7700K Strengths: best ratio performance in games and purchase costs ($ 300-315), unlocked multiplier, powerful video core. In a word, a good start for the future.

Weaknesses: in case of overclocking requires a powerful expensive cooling system, does not support Windows 7.

AMD Ryzen 7 1700

A MD Ryzen 7 1700 is the best of the best for multi-threaded games and a wide variety of resource-intensive non-gaming tasks, in particular, rendering 3D graphics, video editing, etc. An excellent investment for the future.

"Under the hood" of this processor: 8 physical and 16 virtual cores, free multiplier, 16 Mb L3, DDR4-2933 support, 24 PCI Express lanes (competitors have 16), the frequency of each core in dynamic overclocking is 3700 MHz, in overclocking by a multiplier - up to about 4100 MHz. There is no built-in graphics card, but systems for which the Ryzen 7 1700 is designed do not need one. And besides, it's cold. Even under intense load (by the way, it is extremely difficult to load it to 100%) it does not heat up above 50 ° C.

The cost of the model is comparable to the Core i7-7700K.

Specifications

Microarchitecture: Summit Ridge (Zen).
Number of cores: 8.
Clock frequency: 3000-3700 MHz.
Socket: AM4.
Process technology: 14 nm.
Multiplier: 30, free.
Integrated graphics: no.
L1 cache: 256 Kb (instructions + data).
L2 cache: 4096 Kb.
L3 cache: 16384 Kb.
PCI Express controller: yes.
PCI Express 3.0 lanes: 24.
Maximum supported memory capacity: 64 Gb.
Supported memory standards: DDR4-1866 / 2933.
Technology support: multithreading, AMD64, virtualization, hardware encryption, Precision Boost, Pure Power, SSE instructions, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, SSE4a, SSSE3, MMX.
Thermal power (TDP): 65 W.
Maximum temperature: 90 ° C

AMD Ryzen 7 1700 Pros: Amazing Power, Multitasking, Versatility, Energy Efficiency. The disadvantage is that there is no support for older versions of Windows.

According to many owners and experts, the Ryzen 7 1700 is a huge leap forward for AMD. The release of this processor showed that the "reds" are not as hopelessly backward as they think they are, and are still able to set the heat on the "blues". As they say, they harness for a long time, but they go fast.