Turbo boost processors: lower base frequency and higher max frequency or higher base frequency and lower max frequency?

[Bryan_92]

Hi all,

I am about to buy a new Macbook Pro and am a bit puzzled as per the processor choice: I am thinking of these two options: (1) i5 at 3.3 gHZ, turbo boost to 3.7 gHZ or (2) i7 at 2.5 gHZ, turbo boost at 4 gHZ

There is a huge gap on the turbo boost range, with the i7 "turbo boosting" on a 1.5 gHZ range...

Most of the time I would use the computer for office applications (web browsing, text editing, etc.), with a heavy emphasis on multitasking (tens of tabs open at the same time, tens of documents). And some of the time I would do a bit of gaming, when plugged to an outlet (so power consumption a non-issue).

I am more concerned with the gaming bit (I know very well: this is a not a gaming rig, but I may still be interested in using it this way some of time): am I right to assume to that the 4 gHZ on the i7 will not be available all the time and that I may therefore be better off with the i5, even though it only goes up to 3.7?

Any other take on my issue ?

 

[TerryLaze]

If they are from the same generation then look up the all core boost,that's the clock they will use when all cores are loaded,the i7 with hyperthreading will be able to run more stuff at once and will handle background tasks easier while you are gaming but if it has much lower all core boost it will be running games slower.

The single core boost is important for office work and the likes but it's only 300Mhz so it's not much.

 

[Bryan_92]

Thanks for the answer.

They are indeed the same generation (7th, comparison here).

How can I see all core boost? It does not seem to appear in Intel's comparison table.

the only noticeable difference I see between the two processors is the integrated GPU (Iris Plus Graphics 640 for the i7 and 650 for the i5) and the TDP: 15W for the i7 and 28W for the i5...