system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: What is physically different between a high-end CPU (e.g. Intel i7) and a low-end one (Intel i3)? What makes the low-end one cheaper?
gpt
The process to make computer chips isn't perfect. Certain sections of the chip may not function properly.

They make dozens of chips on a single "wafer", and then test them individually.

Chips that have defects or issues, like 1/8 cores not functioning, or a Cache that doesn't work, don't go to waste. They get re-configured into a lower tier chip.

In other words, a 6-core i5 is basically an 8-core i7 that has 2 defective cores.

(Just for reference, these defects and imperfections are why some chips overclock better than others. Every chip is slightly different.)