The brain of the computer, the processor is the most important factor to consider if you are looking for better performance. The right processor can have a huge impact on what applications you can run, how smoothly you can carry out the tasks, as well as how many applications you can run simultaneously.
If you are looking for some serious gaming out there, you know just how important choosing the right processor is.
Understanding How Intel CPU Processors Work
Your processor is equipped with the capability to save energy and to extend battery life.
A better processor uses fewer resources, which in turn eat up a smaller amount of power. As a result, you don’t have to worry about your device heating up.
However, enabling the energy saving feature while working isn’t always a good idea. Though advantageous to achieve the optimum use of the laptop, it contributes to the weaker performances.
Intel and AMD are the leading creators of laptop processors in 2018.
For your best options when it comes to laptop processors, proper consideration of the battery saving features and speed are necessary – especially if you are choosing it for gaming. Because upgrading the system of a laptop computer is more complicated as opposed to desktop units, you have to make sure that you will be choosing a processor that will be suited to your requirements.
Intel i5 Vs. i7 For Gaming – Which Is Better?
In short, it depends on how you are gaming.
However, to better answer that question, we will take a look at a few other factors.
Since the Sandy Bridge update in 2011, it was only in October 2017 that Intel made the real update to the Core i5 and Core i7.
Sure, the i7 processors have better capabilities than the i5 but they aren’t necessarily your best bet when it comes to gaming.
The primary difference between the i5 family and the i7 one has that the former has four cores without hyperthreading while the latter offers four cores with hyperthreading. Hyperthreading is what allows two virtual cores to share the workload between them, helping in better utilization of power.
How Does it Matter for Gamers?
Here is the thing – if you are running Windows for playing games, owning an i5 and an i7 wouldn’t matter as much. i5 costs less and here is why it may be the better choice for you:
1. DirectX 11 Doesn’t Support Multiple Cores
i7 primarily works better than an i5 since it can utilize multiple cores together. For gaming though, Microsoft uses DirextX, and the DirectX 11, as of now, cannot take advantage of the multiple cores of the CPU.
As a result, as a gamer, you would still have to take the single threaded approach – just what the i5 offers by default. This doesn’t just apply to playing only the game, but everything from the audio to the data loading to the AI itself.
2. i5 Makes the Process a Seamless One
Since you have a single threaded approach here, you will have a six core i5 processor being better suited to gaming than say a 7th generation one or those with earlier generations. Remember both the i5 and the i7 use turbo boosts but you wouldn’t really need those extra fast clock speeds when it comes to gaming because of the restricted capabilities of DirectX 11.
3. Better integrated Graphics on the i7
The i7 takes the cake when it comes to integrated graphics. You need high-end Intel processors to be able to play 3D games or play games in 4k resolutions. Intel i7 core processors make that easier. Additionally, many of them sport Intel Iris graphics as well which make for much better displays.
If you are looking for gaming laptops or computers in the market, you would see that many of the Core i7 CPU’s sport the higher end Intel HD/UHD graphics while those with the i5 processors have to be content with the other range of Intel HD graphics.
It is this major advantage of the i7 over the i5 that makes it a great splurge for many gamers. The i7 handles resolutions better too with improved graphics, which means that games in 4k resolutions might just seem more life-like. That being said, if you are not that concerned with graphics, and focus is only on the gameplay, the expensive i7 isn’t going to make you feel better.
What’s Next in the Offing?
Intel has announced that it will launch it’s 8th generation of CPU soon, which will offer more core counts. Both the i5 and i7 is expected to run faster as a result with the new processors. We will have to take a look at how the 8th generation fares compared to the i5 and i7.
The 8th generation of CPUs, according to Intel, will also increase the number of cores and threads in each of the Core i5 and i7 families by around 50 percent. There will be an increase in the clock speed as well which means that games can run faster and more seamlessly without any throttling.
Should You Go for i7 Processors?
If you are looking at a laptop solely for gaming, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to go in for i7 processors. Sure, i7 processors are great when it comes to performance, but they are meant for high-end users who need graphic intensive tasks. Remember, your games will not be able to take advantage of all the capabilities that i7 offers.
On the other hand, i5 processors offer a much more balanced option, and are ideal for everything from gaming to other everyday tasks. Intel i5 processors also sport the 7 series nomenclature and are comparable to the i7 X core processors in most ways, with the only exception being that they are a bit slower when it comes to launching and using intensive multimedia creation apps like Handbrake and Photoshop.
In short, i5 isn’t exactly better than i7 for gaming, but if you are looking for a more affordable choice, it sure comes across as a winner.
