Number of Cores versus core speed

[Adam Hodgins]

Rather than asking a question vaguely, I will just post the links to the cores:

http://ark.intel.com/products/85475/Intel-Atom-x7-Z8700-Processor-2M-Cache-up-to-2_40-GHz
http://ark.intel.com/products/76308/Intel-Core-i5-4300U-Processor-3M-Cache-up-to-2_90-GHz

And ask a few questions based on them.

For multitasking with simple applications such as word processing and the like, which core is better and why?

For things such as light gaming, League of Legends on medium to low, which core is better and why?

Which is generally more worth the money that I will be putting into it?


*NOTE all of the rest of the components are more or less the same for the computer (8GB of Ram and 256GB SSD), It has just come down to these two processors.*

 

[americanbrian]

The i5 because it quite simply is better in every way than an atom. Every single way. No contest.

 

[guanyu210379]

processor performance is effected in a more complex way than a simple numbers of cores and clocking speed.
X7-Z8700 is way weaker than i5 4300U.
Both single and multi core performance of an i5 4300U is simply a lot better than X7-Z8700. (there are plenty comparisons in internet between those 2, just ask Mr. Google, he will show your those stuffs)
Look! X7-Z8700 is not suppose to be strong but it is designed to have the most battery stamina.
Or let me put this differently, those 2 processors have different purposes.

The iGPU performance for both X7-Z8700 and i5 4300U should however not be too far from each other.

Which one is worth more for the money, I can not answer that for you, only you can answer.
Which one do you value more? Battery stamina or performance/gaming.
If you really aim for gaming, i5 4300U is definitely the better option.

 

[Adam Hodgins]

Im more so aiming for just general use with the potential for light gaming,not gaming in particular. I guess my actual question is which is the most bang for my buck, would I be severely hurting myself by going with the atom over the i5? I don't have a clear dollar limit however where I can save money I would like too. If it wasn't clear already I'm trying to determine between the surface 3 and the surface pro 3 but I dont quite know if for general school work such as taking notes and such as well as the odd amount of gaming/netflix if the i5 is worth it. as Its around $600 more. any insight on that front?

 

[guanyu210379]

1. Atom like X7-Z8700 is not something you would want for all-rounder laptop. i5 suits a lot better.
2. Do you really want Surface 3 badly? Surface 3 is quite overpriced in my opinion.

 

[Adam Hodgins]

1. Atom like X7-Z8700 is not something you would want for all-rounder laptop. i5 suits a lot better.
2. Do you really want Surface 3 badly? Surface 3 is quite overpriced in my opinion.

Im looking for a very good supplementary component for my current laptop (about a year and a half old, not a replacement but a supplement for note taking etc.)

which other windows tablet would fill this void without being overly to limited (such as the slew of snapdragon ones that I've seen)

 

[guanyu210379]

Ah..you want a tablet..I thought you just want a laptop
well..surface is definitely one of the best Windows tablets you can find today.
The criteria of buying a tablet is slightly different than buying a laptop.
Built quality for example is quite important on buying tablet and Surface 3 is definitely excellent.
There are other tablets from other brands using i5 and they are quite a lot below Surface 3 pro's price with the same spec but I would say, Surface 3 pro is still worth the price.

The main problem is, if you need performance, Surface 3 pro is definitive better but if you need only a tablet to note things down, etc. and if you need battery stamina, Surface 3 is better.
The purpose of Surface 3 and Surface 3 pro is quite different.
Surface 3 pro with i5 is definitely the better all-rounder than Surface 3.
If you plan to game on it once in a while, I would simply grab the Surface 3 pro with i5, if you can afford it.
BTW: League of Legends is already playable on X7-Z8700 Surface 3. I tried it.

 

[Adam Hodgins]

Ah..you want a tablet..I thought you just want a laptop
well..surface is definitely one of the best Windows tablets you can find today.
The criteria of buying a tablet is slightly different than buying a laptop.
Built quality for example is quite important on buying tablet and Surface 3 is definitely excellent.
There are other tablets from other brands using i5 and they are quite a lot below Surface 3 pro's price with the same spec but I would say, Surface 3 pro is still worth the price.

The main problem is, if you need performance, Surface 3 pro is definitive better but if you need only a tablet to note things down, etc. and if you need battery stamina, Surface 3 is better.
The purpose of Surface 3 and Surface 3 pro is quite different.
Surface 3 pro with i5 is definitely the better all-rounder than Surface 3.
If you plan to game on it once in a while, I would simply grab the Surface 3 pro with i5, if you can afford it.
BTW: League of Legends is already playable on X7-Z8700 Surface 3. I tried it.

thanks for the input! i will definitely compare the two in person in the next couple of days when i go to pick one up! The i5 pro 3 is currently on sale at best buy for $300 off so that may just sway my decision in that direction! THANK YOU!