) the most popular processors for gaming systems are 4-core solutions, and with a frequency above 3000-3300 MHz. Users are sure that for optimal performance in modern projects (and to unlock the potential of top-end video cards), exactly this number of active cores (or computational threads) is needed.
Do not forget about the existence of budget Pentium processors for Socket LGA 1151, which also have 2 cores and 4 computational threads.
This is true; game developers optimize games to the maximum extent just for 4-core configurations. Often, a processor with a large number of threads (6, 8 and higher) is of no use, the frame rate does not increase from extra CPU power, this is a fact. Intel Core i7 with an unlocked multiplier in a "game situation" is a waste that does not justify itself in action.
It is known that only dual-core products are presented in the Intel Core i3 line, but with active Hyper-Threading technology (it provides 4 computing threads). Is such a device sufficient for a gaming system with a powerful middle-end or high-end graphics card? In short, yes.
On the example of available stone Intel Core i3-7100 we will try to prove that such a CPU is enough for gaming (especially in high resolution); wherein circumcised the cache will not become an obstacle for complex calculations in specialized rendering programs, etc.
Technical features
The Intel Core i3-7100 has two physical cores, four processing threads and a high clock speed (3900 MHz, Intel Turbo Boost technology is not used here). It has 3 MB of L3 cache, and not 4 MB, like older devices in the model range of the same name, which, again, does not prevent the Core i3-7100 from demonstrating decent performance both in system applications and in games (all attention to test graphics ).
| Intel Pentium G4620 | Intel Core i3-7350K | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Process technology | 14 nm | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Socket | LGA 1151 | LGA 1151 | LGA 1151 |
| Cores/Threads | 2/4 | 2/4 | 2/4 |
| Clock frequency | 3700 MHz | 3900 MHz | 4200 MB |
| Cache | 3 MB | 3 MB | 4 MB |
| TDP | 51 W | 51 W | 60 W |
| Memory | DDR4-2133/2400 DDR3L-1333/1600 | DDR4-2133/2400 DDR3L-1333/1600 | DDR4-2133/2400 DDR3L-1333/1600 |
| Integrated graphics | Intel HD Graphics 630 | Intel HD Graphics 630 | Intel HD Graphics 630 |
| PCI-E lanes | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Intel Optane Memory | Not | Yes | Yes |
| Intel Hyper Threading | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Price | 90$ | 117$ | 173$ |
The Intel Core i3-7100 is designed using 14 nm technology, the name of the microarchitecture is Kaby Lake. The processor, despite the relatively high clock speed, is extremely energy efficient. TDP does not exceed 51 W (although at the peak we observed 65 and even 100 W, judging by the data of monitoring programs).
Rated voltage Intel Core i3-7100 jumps around the mark of 1.136 V, the maximum temperature under the modest aluminum Box cooler does not go beyond 55 degrees.
3900 MHz 
4000 MHz
The Intel Core i3-7100 supports dual-channel DDR4-2133/2400 memory (it makes sense to use higher-frequency kits), there are also 16 PCI-E lanes for buildup top graphics accelerators.
Intel Core i3-7100 and DDR4-2800
The processor under review has an integrated Intel HD Graphics 630, but it is intended only for displaying images on the display (including in 4K resolution) and watching videos. So far, the “video cards” integrated into the CPU are not capable of pull modern games at medium quality settings, even at 1080p.
Test stand:
Motherboard - ASUS Maximus IX Extreme
RAM -
Video card -
Storage device -
Power Supply -
Performance, test results and overclocking
For the Intel Core i3-7100 processor, it is not necessary to select motherboard on a top-end chipset (Intel Z170 or Z270), the option on the Intel H170 (for example,) is quite suitable, because we have a blocked CPU that does not involve overclocking experiments.
The Intel Core i3-7100 is quite a gaming processor.
But it is desirable to purchase high-frequency memory (at least the DDR4-2400-2800 standard). The high bandwidth provided by the Intel Core i3-7100 has a positive effect on the overall performance of the computer.
The Intel Core i3-7100 is capable of pump the most powerful video card (including GeForce GTX 1080 Ti) in all modern games is no worse than , or , which have more physical cores and higher clock speeds.
There is, however, one "but". Frames per second equal to those specified by the CPU, the Core i3-7100 demonstrates exclusively in high resolution (1440p and 2160p), where the main load rests on the shoulders video cards.
We honestly declare that at 1080p the Intel Core i3-7100 is not able to use the full hardware potential of a top-end video card. But is there a big difference between 80 and 120 fps? Monitored CPU does not sag(such as which is bottleneck in drawing a three-dimensional scene) and properly (that is, promptly) processes incoming commands. So the Intel Core i3-7100 is quite a gaming processor.
In professional programs that can use more than four physical cores and threads, the Intel Core i3-7100 is clearly inferior to the Core i5 and Core i7 devices. But that's a completely different story. profile house our guest - a home multimedia system.
There is an Intel Core i3-7100 in the arsenal and a nice bonus, which is available to owners of motherboards based on top chipsets (with the ability to adjust the BCLK bus). We are talking about lung CPU overclocking up to 4 GHz.
For the Intel Core i3-7100, it is not necessary to choose a motherboard based on a top-end chipset; the option on the Intel H170 is quite suitable.
ASUS Maximus IX Extreme in the automatic overclocking mode (TPU module) increased the clock speed of the Intel Core i3-7100 to just 4000 MHz (manually, we were unable to fix a stable 110 MHz on BCLK). Although this bonus did not particularly affect the performance.
Conclusion
The Intel Core i3 processor line is your entry ticket to the world of computer entertainment and multimedia capabilities. For general tasks and household needs, more is not needed.
However, do not forget about the existence of budget Pentium processors for the same Socket LGA 1151 (for example, G4620), which also have 2 cores and 4 computational threads (plus 3 MB L3 cache). In fact, these are the same Core i3, but cheaper. Recommended.
Intel processors have been conquering the world for a long time. Every year there are more and more of them on the market. More powerful models replace already obsolete ones. There are new microarchitectures, updated processor sockets and technological processes.
Today, the corporation is considered the world's largest in terms of microprocessor performance. She has been doing this since 2008 and fills three-quarters of the entire market. Interestingly, the main and devoted fan of this manufacturer's products is Dell, followed by Hewlett-Packard and Lenovo.
Back to the past
In 2010, the public got acquainted with the new microprocessor technology Intel Core i3-530. The characteristics of the chip are quite good, as for the middle price segment. This model was one of many that entered the market that year. The corporation wanted to completely flood the entire market, often neglecting the quality of products.
The release of the crystal on the updated technical process was caused by its main principle of Tick-Tock. This progressive strategy involved changing the process technology and microarchitecture once a year.
Base
The release of the Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale was announced in tandem with the older Core i5-650 chip. Both crystals were based on the updated Westmere microarchitecture, which received a thin 32 nm process technology. Despite the rather noticeable difference in this parameter in comparison with previous models, something else has become a "chip". The products carried an integrated feature of this innovation was that before these processors such options did not exist on the market, and the combined crystal in desktop systems became something revolutionary and a pretty good alternative for medium PCs.
Innovations
Processors have gone through standard testing, which is usually created specifically to unleash the potential of the model. As a result, this chip is inferior on all fronts, since serious competitors have been chosen. Albeit slightly, it lagged behind in graphics tests, gaming and synthetic applications. If we take a weaker Intel model, then in this case the hero of our review was able to get ahead by 15%, which is not so much. This raises the question: is it not easier to pay extra to get a more productive crystal, or not to overpay at all and purchase a budget model?
Overclocking
Checking the characteristics of the Intel Core i3-530 (2.93 GHz), we must not forget about the overclocking potential. The clock frequency was raised to 2.4 GHz, while it was necessary to raise the voltage and provide the crystal with an improved cooling system. Despite its thin 32 nm case, the processor overheats under load, and this undoubtedly affects the overclocking efficiency.
Experts say that 4.4 GHz is not the limit, in general, the system can be accelerated more, but with the use of aggressive voltage, which is not always safe and is always a risk, especially for inexperienced overclockers.
This overclocking potential answers the question of whether it was worth buying this model. With such overclocking, it looks very profitable. A performance increase of more than 50% is a good indicator.
The processor is the brain of the computer, but it takes a lot of your own brains to understand the difference between processors! Intel hasn't made it easy on consumers with its weird naming schemes, and the question that often comes up is: what's the difference between i3, i5, or i7 processors? Which one should I buy?
It's time to demystify this. In this article, I will not touch on other Intel processors such as the Pentium series or the new M series Core laptop. They are good on their own, but the Core series is the most popular and confusing, so let's just focus on that.
Understanding Model Numbers
To be honest, it's very simple. The Intel Core i7 is better than the Core i5, which in turn is better than the Core i3. The problem is knowing what to expect from each processor.
First, i7 does not mean seven-core processor! These are only names indicating relative performance.
Typically, the Core i3 series uses only dual-core processors, while the Core i5 and Core i7 processors use dual-core, quad-core, and six-core processors. Quad-core processors are usually better than dual-core processors, but don't worry about that for now.
Intel releases chipset families such as the new generation of Skylake processors for the 6th generation Skylake family. Each family, in turn, has its own line of Core i3, Core i5 and Core i7 processors.
You can determine which generation of the processor belongs to first digit in four-digit model name. For example, Intel Core i3- 5 200 refers to 5 -th generation. Remember that new Generations of Intel will not support Windows 7, but since Windows 10 is a free upgrade anyway, use the latest generation.
Advice. Here's a helpful rule of thumb. The other three numbers are Intel's assessment of how the processor compares to others in its own line. For example, the Intel Core i3-5350 outperforms the Core i3-5200 because 350 is more than 200.
Last letters: U, Q, H, K
Things have changed since we last looked at the list of Intel processors. Processor list decoding. The model number is usually followed by one or a combination of the following letters: U, Y, T, Q, H, and K. Here's what they mean:
- U: Extra low power. U rating is for laptop processors only. They use less power and are better suited to the battery.
- Y: Low power. Typically used for laptops and older mobile processors.
- T:Power Optimized for desktop processors.
- Q: Quad-core processor. The Q rating is only for processors with four physical cores.
- H: High performance graphics. The chipset has one of the best Intel graphics units.
- K: Unlocked. This means that you can overclock the processor yourself.
Understanding these letters and the above numbering system will help you know what a processor offers just by looking at the model number, without having to read the actual specifications.
You can find the meaning of other letters in Intel's processor number guides.
Hyper Threading: i7 > i3 > i5
As you can see above, Intel specifically writes U and Q for the number of physical cores. Well, what are the other cores, you ask? The answer is virtual cores activated using Hyper-Threading technology.
In layman's terms, hyper-threading allows one physical core to act as two virtual cores, thereby running many tasks simultaneously without activating the second physical core (which will require more power from the system).
If both processors are active and using hyperthreading, these four virtual cores will compute faster. Note, however, that physical cores are faster than virtual cores. A quad-core CPU will perform much better than a dual-core hyperthreaded CPU!
The Intel Core i3 series has hyper-threading. The Intel Core i7 series also supports hyper-threading. The Intel Core i5 series does not support it.
Turbo Boost: i7 > i5 > i3
On the other hand, the Intel Core i3 series does not support Turbo Boost. The Core i5 series uses Turbo Boost to speed up your tasks, just like the Core i7.
Turbo Boost is a patented technology to intelligently increase the processor's clock speed if the application requires it. For example, if you're playing a game and your system needs some extra power, Turbo Boost will kick in to compensate.
Turbo Boost is useful for those who use resource-intensive software such as video editors or video games, but it's not a big deal if you're just going to surf the web and use Microsoft Office.
Aside from Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost, one of the main differences in the Core lineup is cache size. The cache is the processor's own memory and acts like its personal RAM - and it's one of the little-known features that can slow down your PC.
Just like with RAM than larger size cache, the better. Therefore, if the processor performs one task over and over again, it will store that task in its cache. If the processor can store more tasks in its private memory, it can make them faster if they come up again.
The Core i3 series typically contains up to 3 MB of cache. The Core i5 series has 3MB to 6MB cache. The Core i7 series has 4MB to 8MB cache.
Since graphics have been integrated into the processor chip, it has become important point when buying processors. But like everything else, Intel has made the system a bit confusing.
There are now generally three tiers of graphics devices: Intel HD, Intel Iris, and Intel Iris Pro. You will see the model name like Intel HD 520 or Intel Iris Pro 580... and that's where the confusion starts.
Here's a brief example of how overwhelming it can be. The Intel HD 520 is the main graphics chipset. The Intel Iris 550 is better than the Intel HD 520, but also basic. But Intel HD 530 is a high performance graphics unit and better than Intel Iris 550. However, Intel Iris Pro 580 is also a high performance graphics unit and better than Intel HD 530.
The best advice is how to interpret them? Just don't. Instead, rely on the Intel naming system. If the processor model ends with H, you know it is a high performance module.
Comparison of cores i3, i5, i7
|
CPU |
Number of Cores |
Cache size |
Hyper Threading |
turbo boost |
Graphic arts |
Price |
| 2 | 3MB | There is | Not | Low | Low | |
| 2-4 | 3MB-6MB | No | There is | Medium | Medium | |
| 2-6 | 4MB-12MB | There is | There is | The best | Expensive |
Simply put, here's who each processor type is best suited for:
- Core i3: main users. economic choice. Convenient for web browsing, Microsoft Office use, video calls and social networks. Not for gamers or professionals.
- Core i5: intermediate users. Those who want a balance between performance and price. Good for gaming if you buy an HQ processor or a Q processor with a dedicated GPU.
- Core i7: Professionals. This is the best thing Intel can do right now.
How did you choose?
This article is a basic guide for those who want to buy a new Intel processor but are confused between Core i3, i5 and i7. But even after understanding all this, when it's time to make a decision, you may need to choose between two processors of different generations.
What else can you advise to those who are similarly stuck buying a PCU and have to make a choice?
Two fast cores versus four slow ones
Test Methodology
In this case, processor dependence is already noticeable, and the game is “interesting” in physical cores, but it does not disdain additional threads either. But at the level of Core i5, in fact, we again “rest” on the video card.
The only one who seriously “failed” is the Core i5-6400. The suggestion made last time that the L3 frequency is very important for the game seems to have turned out to be correct. Multi-core processors for LGA2011-3 just "saved" the number of running computation threads that the game engine "knows" how to correctly utilize, but in the younger model for LGA1151 it is, in fact, the minimum allowable for it.
An example of a game that still needs a couple of cores without any Hyper-Threading, so the high-frequency Core i3s look their best. Rare today :)
Because it happens. In principle, four high-frequency cores are enough for the application - but of today's subjects, this is the Ryzen 3 1300X. The Ryzen 5 1400 trails it only marginally thanks to SMT. Both Core i5s are already noticeable: four single-threaded cores and low frequency. All Core i3s are even slower. From a practical point of view, however, the performance can be considered sufficient, but... Paired with some processors, a video card based on the GTX 1070 already produces a hundred frames per second, against which 60 fps is really bad. You can get by with a slower discreet. Note that this applies to all subjects.
In this game, the gap from the "best" is not so great, but it also exists. Thus, the times when older Core i3 or younger Core i5 were great for gaming computer practically independent of the video card, are a thing of the past. So from this point of view, it's time to change something in these families :)
Another case when almost rested on the video card, but exactly what almost. That is, already now it is desirable to get a little more from the processors. Which, however, is logical and fits into the old empirical formula of "price ratio 1:2". In the sense that a similar video card we use in retail costs an average of 35 thousand rubles, which means that a processor in a pair with it should be selected at least for 15 thousand (if not modern, then with performance at the modern level for this money). And this, after all, is the level of the older, and not the younger Core i5 or Ryzen 5, not to mention the more budget lines. However, their representatives, generally speaking, provide a good level of performance - but often they themselves limit it.
Total
It is easy to see that regardless of the presence or absence of intercompany competition (which is still not complete anyway), it was necessary to “shake up” the lines of Intel processors that had developed many years ago. Of all the reasons, in principle, one is enough: in their current form there is nowhere to develop them, since it is impossible to significantly increase the frequencies not only for the top Core i7. It is clear that it would be more logical to carry out this process “in one touch”, timing it with the release of the seventh generation of Core and maintaining compatibility within a single socket (at the same time, at least Pentium and Core i3, which have become almost identical, would not look so strange), however, on In practice, everything turned out quite differently. 
Intel offers a wide range of . Depending on the capabilities, they are divided into families. The simplest in the family is the Celeron, the next Pentium and finally the latest processors - i3, i5 and i7. They are also known as Intel Core.
First i3 processors appeared on the market in 2010 and were an evolution of the Intel Core 2 Duo.
According to Intel's classification, the i3 processor is in the "budget" segment, as it is intended for users with a limited budget. However, the possibilities i3 processor covers the needs of 80 to 90% of PC users.
Core. i3 processor has 2 cores. In addition, there is a "simultaneous multithreading" feature that allows the processor to function and process four threads in parallel. If you have no idea what it is, don't worry, it means that most of your applications will run smoothly with this processor. Applications that require a processor a large number cores, for example, graphic editors, video processing, rendering of three-dimensional images.
Integrated video card. The i3 processor has an integrated graphics card. And the benefits of the new generation of processors are not limited to this. With an i3 processor, you can get a cheaper discrete computer, but in that case you have to use . Which, of course, is not very good, as it will lead to problems with the simultaneous launch of several programs.
Integrated memory controller. i3 processor except for the video card added memory controller. While this innovation has the distinct advantage of faster direct access, with the i3 model you will only be able to use RAM DDR3.
Integrated PCI Express. I3 processors have an integrated PCI Express 2.0 controller. Thus, the graphics card, in case of discrete use, will be connected directly to the processor.
The i3 processor is almost perfect. As said earlier, it covers the basic needs of 80% of users. As a result, it remains for those who use the computer for games or work in professional applications, where the performance of the i3 processor may drop.
Versions of i3 processors.
i3 previous or first generation.
You can find this processor on the Internet by simply typing in the search bar: " previous generation ". Line for personal PCs: i3-5xx and laptops: i3-3xx. In this generation of TDP, the maximum power consumption is 73W. The bus connecting the chipset with DMI has a bandwidth of 1 Gbp/s.
i3 second generation or Sandy Bridge.
In this segment, the i3-21xx line for PCs and i3-23xx for laptops. This processor, with the same speed, is much better than the previous i3. We are talking about a 10% improvement. But it is noticeable, first of all, on the chart.
The i3 comes with an HD 2000 or 3000 graphics card, which is twice as powerful as the previous generation. In addition, the QuickSync system has been added, which allows you to encode and decode video at high speed, DirectX 10.1 is supported. DMI in Sandy Bridge connects the processor to the chipset up to 2GB/s. TDP in desktop processors 65W.
Do not forget that one of the key improvements is the improvement in the instructions supported by the processor. In this case, AVX acceleration of some operations is added, such as signal processing, scientific and financial calculations, and so on.
I3 third generation processor or Ivy Bridge.
Ivy Bridge is a clear improvement in manufacturing technology. With transistors ranging from 32 to 22 nanometers wide, the same area can contain twice as many processors. The improvement is especially noticeable in the increase in power supply and the Intel graphics card. In addition, the i3 Ivy Bridge processor is capable of providing a 10% increase in performance. Directx 11 support. TDP in desktop processors 55W.