Question Cpu understanding help

[Hornnumb2]

I am looking to get a new used pc but i don’t understand the cpu numbers. Is a i5 13600k going to be a lot faster than a i5 4590? Thanks Michael

 

[Lafong]

Yes; more than twice as fast. Maybe triple.

Intel desktop CPUs in the last few years begin with a generational number...7, 8......up to 13. A new number roughly once a year.

14 is about to hit the market.

But an upper level CPU from the 11th generation might be faster than a mid level CPU from the 13th generation.

So you have to look at a benchmark to judge.

Look at Passmark.com for that.

You have to get a motherboard that is known to be compatible with the CPU. You can't put a 13th generation CPU on a motherboard from 2017.

 

[Hornnumb2]

So are you saying that a i3 at a later generation might be faster that a i5 or i7 at a earlier generation

 

[Lafong]

So are you saying that a i3 at a later generation might be faster that a i5 or i7 at a earlier generation

Yes.

Don't get caught up in the i3, i5, i7 thing.

Some CPUs are intended for laptops and those would generally be weaker than desktop CPUs. There are some i7s that are relatively weak.

Some CPUs have built-in graphics; some don't.

Some have 4 cores; some have 6; some have 24.

Some have "performance and "efficient" cores; some don't.

Some are more difficult to cool than others.

Some PC jobs can take advantage of many cores; some jobs rely mostly on a single core.

Etc, etc, etc.

Passmark benchmark comparisons can give you a rough idea of "CPU horsepower"......although other hardware components have to be considered in your overall satisfaction.