Posted on 05 April 2011 by Bo
It is hard to believe that another month has already passed and it is time for another installment of Bo Knows. In this months installment we will be helping you to decide which processor is right for your application.
Intel has three types of processors to choose from within the Core i series 1st Generation processors (I will cover the 2nd Generation in a later article). The choices are the Core i3, Core i5 and the Core i7, but which one should you use in that 2808188 Mini-ITX motherboard you just purchased? To get an answer for this, we first need to know what the actual differences are between the processor families.
Lets start with the Core i3. This processor is considered to be the low end, budget processor of the group, but this in no way implies that it is lacking the power needed to get the job done. The Core i3 is only available with dual cores, on both the mobile and desktop versions, but does take advantage of Intels Hyper-Threading technology, that improves the performance in multi-threaded applications and is seen by supported operating systems as each physical core with two virtual processors. The Core i3 is lacking Intels Turbo Boost Technology, the feature that allows for the processor to dynamically increase CPU clock speed in increments of 133MHz up to the processors maximum frequency when that extra processing power is required. All processors in the Core i3 family, both desktop and mobile, have integrated Intel HD Graphics. If your application does not need four physical cores or Intels Turbo Boost and you need to keep costs low, then this is the processor for you.
Next up is the Core i5 processor. This is considered the mid-range and mainstream processor in the group. The Core i5 Desktop processors feature both dual and quad core versions, Intels Turbo Boost Technology, Hyper-Threading and Intel HD Graphics on the two core versions only; the four core versions do not have the last two features on the 1st Generation Core i series processors.
The Core i5 Mobile processors feature two cores only, Hyperthreading, Intels Turbo Boost Technology and all have integrated Intel HD graphics. These processors provide that extra boost of power that you need for CPU and graphic intensive applications. They may cost a little more than their Core i3 counterparts, but can still be kept well within a budget considering their processing power.
As Global American Inc. does not carry any boards that support the LGA1366 socket, the Core i7 processors that we will be discussing will be focused on the i7-8xx series desktop and all of the 1st generation mobile processors.
The Core i7 processors are considered to be the powerhouse of the family. The desktop versions feature four cores with Hyper-threading, Intel Turbo Boost Technology, but do not have the integrated Intel HD graphics.
The mobile Core i7 processors feature, dual core and quad core options with Hyper-Threading along with Intel Turbo Boost Technology. The dual core versions have integrated Intel HD graphics, but the quad core versions do not. The Core i7 processors are the priciest in the group, but they pack a lot of power for those power hungry applications that need it.
Hopefully this latest installment of Bo Knows helps clear up the differences in the selections that are available within the Core i series of processors, but if you are still unclear as to which option you require, our top notch sales and tech support teams can always be of more assistance.
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Bo HarronTechnical Director/Director of EngineeringGlobal American, Inc.www.globalamericaninc.com