i5 vs i7: Which Intel Processor Is Right for You
Table of content
Core i5 vs i7 is one of the talks among hardware enthusiasts about powering up PCs with good performance. Opting between the i5 and i7 is a collective decision for those looking for optimum performance and cost-effectiveness. I5 and i7 both belong to the famous intel series. For ordinary users looking for the best CPUs, i5 is the best option. For advanced users who have complex tasks to deal with, the i7 is the best option for the high core count, fast clock speed, and a big number of caches. These series are quite suited for video editing, 3D Display, and heavy jobs. Moreover, the i5 cannot be beaten for its excellent performance. To know which series is better out of these i5 vs i7 keep reading to know who won the battle.
i5 vs i7: Overview:
These two Intel series are some of the most popular choices for many users which meet their needs and can easily perform according to their needs from normal tasks to difficult tasks. Both of these processors are best in their own way, but the solution depends on using it and their cost-effectiveness.
Intel core i5:
i5 processor is a middle-range CPU which is developed to offer the strong stability of performance and stability. It is the choice for beginner to normal day users who need the normal speed to perform tasks like browsing, composing documents, minimal image editing, gaming, and streaming. i5’s multiple programming can handle multiple tasks effortlessly which makes it the best option for productive tasks.
Intel core i7:
The i7 processor is designed for users that require more power and fast performance without any connectivity issues as compared to what the i5 offers. Fast working speed, multiple programming, and a large number of caches. It comes with the additional feature of Higher Thermal Design Power (TDP) classification which means that it can handle heavier work and maintain the best performance for a longer period.
Intel core i5 vs i7: What is the difference:
I5 and i7 are no doubt the best processors which makes it hard to choose between them to learn which one is better out of both based on their performance and other factors. We shall look at the table below to get a better understanding of these processors.
Main Differences:
Features | Core i5 | Core i7 |
Clock Speed | Varies, are generally a bit lower than i7 processors. | Varies, are generally a bit higher than i5 processors. |
Cores | 2 – 14 | 2 – 20 |
Threads | 4 – 20 | 4 – 28 |
Cache Size | 3MB – 24MB | 4MB – 33MB |
Max Turbo Frequency | 2.7 GHz – 5.3 GHz | 2.8 GHz – 5.6 GHz |
Max Memory Size | Up to 192GB (relied on memory type) | Up to 192GB (relied on memory type) |
i5 vs i7: Pros and Cons
Intel i5 has continuously updated from the time of its launch till now and it faced a bit of upsides and downs. These processors have changed based on a lot of features out there like price, and performance. Speed, power consumption, and other features. We shall give a visual comparison of these features.

The above bar graph portrays which processors have given the tough competition to the other generation series. Let’s get a better explanation of what the graph is showing to us.
The graph above is comparing i5 vs i7 processors according to the categories:
Performance: The i7 has the high score because of better core count and high speed
Multi-tasking: The i7 exceeds the i5 with its additional features with the benefit of hyperthreading and more threads.
Price: i5 is far more affordable because of which it scores high in this category.
Power Consumption: i5 saves power which makes it power efficient, making it the best processor for users who want an efficient processor.
Gaming and content creation: i7 is higher in this one because of its high performance in complex tasks.
Use Case of i5 vs i7:
Use Cases | Intel core i5 | Intel core i7 |
Office work and web browsing | Ideal for everyday tasks with efficient and fast performance. | Smooth with heavier multitasking. |
Gaming | Great for most of the modem games and handles 1080/1440p | Best for the expensive games and also the 4k games. |
Content creation | Ideal for the normal to moderate photo editing. | Best for professional photo editing, large file memories, and exports. |
3D rendering | Can handle the 3D rendering but cannot handle the difficult projects regarding that. | It’s an excellent choice for extensive and professional 3D rendering and ideal for CAD software. |
Multi-tasking | Handles multiple tasks easily but light to moderate ones. | Can handle multiple tasks and can carry heavy loads with multiple high-demand applications. |
Streaming | A good choice for gaming and can handle the light amount of streaming. | An ideal choice for gamers and can carry heavy and long-duration streaming. |
Virtual machines | It can run virtual machines which are limited with the numerous cases. | Ideal for running multiple virtual machines with robust performance. |
Technical Specification of i5 vs i7:
As discussed above, i5 vs i7 are different from one another on the basis of their working but their specifications are also different from one another. And the table below will guide you better on it.
Total Cores | No. of “P” Cores | No. of “E” Cores | Total Threads | Max Turbo Frequency | Cache | Base Power Usage | Turbo Power Usage | |
Intel core i5 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 20 | 5.2GHz | 24MB | 65W | 154W |
Intel core i7 | 20 | 8 | 12 | 28 | 5.4GHz | 33MB | 65W | 219W |
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Conclusion:
In this battle of i5 vs i7 we provide the key information and the overview of both processors regarding their Performance, Price, Efficiency, gaming & streaming cost-effectiveness, and the technical specifications of their key differences. Where we discussed why these products differ from one another based on their performance and multiple job handling. Also, the bar chart justifies its higher performance to its top tier performance.
FAQs:
Is it worth upgrading from i5 vs i7?
While it’s great that i5 meets your current networking demands, you should consider how it’ll fare in the future especially for gaming. Upgrading to the i7 processor may save you from having to buy a new computer.
Is there a big difference between an i5 vs i7?
I5 processors are well suited for mainstream users, light gamers and those who want to engage in moderate multi-tasking and content creation. I7 processors are designed for power users and professionals involved in resource intensive tasks.
How old is Intel Core i5?
Core i7 was introduced in 2008, followed by i5 by 2009, and i3 in 2010.