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Intel Core i3 vs i5 vs i7 for your Lenovo Laptop: Which One to Buy?



If you are on the hunt for the best portable laptop for your needs, there are many things to look out for. One of the main choices is which processor to go with. As the processor ( or CPU) is the main heart of any laptop, this is a choice that should not be made lightly.

If you are planning to go on the Intel route instead of AMD, then there are three main choices you will come across: the Intel Core i3, Intel Core I5, and the Intel Core i7. But, which processor should you get for your laptop? And what is the main difference between i3, i5, and i7? Let's dig further to help our decision.

Type of use

To start things off, we should consider the type of use you want out of your laptop. The number 3,5 and 7 mainly indicates the processing power of the Intel chips. They have nothing to do with the number of cores. They are just used as a reference.

You want to choose the processor you want depending on your personal uses and interests. For example:

  • Intel Core i3 is perfect for average performance on all kinds of basic tasks (school work, Microsoft office, watching and listening to content)
  • Intel Core i5 is perfect for greater performance on more heavy tasks (basic content creation, casual gaming, office multitasking)
  • Intel Core i7 is perfect for the best performance on demanding tasks (hard-core gaming, professional content creation, engineering and IT tasks)

Even though the older generation of i7 will not perform as well as the latest i5, but if you are looking at the same generations, the number associated will serve you well.

What is the number of Cores?

Even though the number of cores on a CPU is not everything, having more cores never hurt. But the more cores you have, the more threads you will get. That means the CPU will be able to perform more tasks simultaneously. Multi-threading allows you to surf through the web, play a game and do various productive tasks seamlessly.

Most modern-day software is designed to average the power of more cores. Some of the most common examples will be the popular Adobe creative suite, Unity Engine, Etc. So, once you have decided the number of cores you might want to have, and whether you want a core i3, core i5, or Core i7, make sure to get your hands on a laptop that offers the latest generation of processor. Currently the 11th generation processors are the most current for Intel.


Is more clock speed better?

You might wonder what are the clock speed and how important they are for your laptop. And the answer to that question is: very important. In general cases, you would want more clock speed on your laptop for greater performance. But on the other hand, the CPU that has more cores sometimes seems to run at a lower clock speed.

That means there is a trade-off, and you should get something that offers the best of both worlds. And a good example of that would be the affordable Lenovo v14-iil 82c401jhus 14" notebook from compvana.

This Lenovo V14 model runs on the core i5 1035G1 quad-core processor with a clock speed of 1GHZ. But with maximum turbo enabled, it can go up to 3.6 GHz which is quite impressive for a laptop in this budget.


Why does cache memory matter?

Another component to look at while you are choosing the best Laptop in 2021 for your specific need is the cache size. In a laptop, your CPU tends to use several data over and over again reputedly. This sort of data is usually stored in the fastest memory on your laptop called cache.

The latest processors of Intel feature a smart cache system. This improves the performance of the system and reduces latency by a ton.

In the Intel 10th generation of processors, Core i3 is maxed out on an 8MB smart cache. For core i5, you will get up to 12MB. And the core i7 can go up to an impressive 16MB cache. Cache size is vital if you want your laptop to use for gaming purposes. 

So which intel CPU is the best for you?

If you are looking for an affordable laptop, then core i3 is the way to go. It can take care of regular modern-day tasks and casual gaming needs, web browsing. Checking mail or watching movies. 

The IdeaPad Flex 5 Notebook is a sleek-looking laptop that offers a core i3 process capable of handling all your regular basic tasks. It also extremely lights weight and has an impressive battery life of up to 10 hours.

If you want to do more in-demand tasks then core i5 should be your answer. They have the highest base clock speed perfect for running demanding tasks. The ThinkBook 13S 13.3" Notebook is one of the best laptops that features the latest 11th gen core i5 processor with a maximum turbo speed up to 4.20 GHz. This will enhance your productivity and offer you the reliability you need for your use.

But if budget is not a concern and you want nothing but the best, then Core i7 is the best choice for you. The Lenovo ThinkPad t14 gen 2 20w0001fus 14" touchscreen notebook carries the latest 11th generation of core i7 processor with a base speed of 3GHZ. This quad-core process is capable of getting any job done seamlessly.

So, now that you know all about the intel’s core i3, i5, and i7 laptops, get your hands on the one that suits you the most. If you are looking for the best Lenovo laptops that offer value of money, are affordable, and provides fast delivery, check out compvana.