I'm confused, where how good is an i3 processor compared to i5 and i7?

[Computer newb]

Every time I browse gaming computers or see some, I always get a bit confused. I'll see 600-800 dollar computers come with i5 processors, and I'll see more expensive ones come with an i7 processor. Yet I've also seen some pretty expensive gaming computers come with an i3 processor, where exactly does it fall in line with the others? Are i7 processors are better than i5 IIRC so why are i3 processors more expensive than i7 in some cases. If someone could please clear this up for me it would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[smorizio]

the i3 are two core cpu...i5 are 4 core...i7 have 4 main cores and 4 hyper threaded cores. the exrta cores in the i7 help it in games and programs that can run muilt core. not single threaded. with intel there been a few rev of these chips the old sandy bridge 1155 cpu. intel newest cpu will be brodwell 1150 cpu. intel skylake is a new cpu core and pin out for latter this year or next year.

 

[DarkSable]

Alright, lemme put it this way:

1) FOR GAMING, there is an infinitesimally small difference between an i7 and an i5, so if you're building a computer, the i5 is $100 cheaper and just as good. This is talking about the flagship "k" models, not the locked, cheaper options.

2) The i3s are good, and have basically the same single threaded performance, but don't have as good performance in the very high end games that can make good use of having four cores available to them.

As for expense, you have to make sure you're comparing desktop parts to other desktop parts, not mobile parts... and that you're comparing processors of the same or very similar generations, since that can make a big difference in price.

 

[slyu9213]

Every time I browse gaming computers or see some, I always get a bit confused. I'll see 600-800 dollar computers come with i5 processors, and I'll see more expensive ones come with an i7 processor. Yet I've also seen some pretty expensive gaming computers come with an i3 processor, where exactly does it fall in line with the others? Are i7 processors are better than i5 IIRC so why are i3 processors more expensive than i7 in some cases. If someone could please clear this up for me it would be appreciated. Thanks.

Some of the prices may not make any logical sense. If it's on eBay it's some loser trying to make a huge profit by preying on people with little knowledge. On the other hand it could be an i3 right paired with a high-end video card. The cheaper i5/i7s could be paired with a fairly low video card. Sometimes on craigslist I see a Desktop on sale for $1200 and laugh at what is described. Nothing can make a FX 6300+R7 240 $1200. If you provide links to where you're seeing these computer we can tell what the difference is and if there is a reason why they are priced differently

i3 = Dual-Core with Hyperthreading (2 Cores/4 Threads)
i5 = Quad-Core
i7 = Quad-Core with Hyperthreading (4 Cores/8Threads)

Gaming wise i5 and i7 is very similar unless you plan on doing a lot of things in the background while gaming. Things like video work might also use the extra threads of the i7s.

 

[NexusDota]

Let me put it this way, there is almost no difference in he i5 to the i7 as they have said, an i3 is for cheaper builds where you want to focus loads into the GPU, now if you have a moderate budget you would go for a i5 because that's middle of the range and fits almost everyones needs. The i7 is for extreme builds where you can get both a good CPU and GPU, the i7 is for extreme multitasking and video editing etc. the price ranges also are from different retailers so keep that in mind as well. Sorry this wasn't a direct answer however but hope you understand the differences and price ratios.

 

[Computer newb]

Thanks for the answers guys. Cleared things up for me. I know some people were asking where I got these prices from, pretty sure it was mostly Fry's.com and Amazon. I think that I got some from Newegg too but I'm not sure.

 

[tendoboy1984]

How do AMD's A6 and A8 laptop processors compare?