Intel i3 or i5?

mrecuk

I'm about to purchase a new laptop but I can't decide whether to get the i3 processor or the i5. I have two laptops that I have shortlisted.

One laptop is a Lenovo G50 and has an Intel i5-5200U processor and 8GB of memory (RAM). The other is a HP Pavilion 17-G102na and has an Intel i3-5020U processor with Intel HD Graphics 5500 and also 8GB Memory (RAM).

Is there a huge amount of difference between the processors? The laptop will be used mainly for work, watching films, the odd Sims game and basic photo editing. I would prefer the HP as it has a bigger screen and because a lot of people are saying that the Lenovo has a cheap plastic feel to it. Having said that, if the Lenovo is going to out perform the HP enough then i can put up with the cheap feel of the Lenovo.

Thanks

kwikbreaks

You should be able to compare the CPU performances here

They won't be the be all and end all of it though. I'd accept a slower processor if the screen were better. To really compare you'd need to try each hands on but I'm guessing that isn't going to be possible.

==

I just checked and there really isn't a great deal between them with the benchmark used ~ 3500 : 3200

stator

The i5 is better because it supports Intel Turboboost. That means it can increase the speed by 20% when under heavy demand.
All the other CPU specs seem to be the same, so there is very little difference.
If you like the look of the HP one, go with that.

forgotmyname

What will you be using it for? Does your software support lots of cores?

Benchmarks can be mixed depending on the software, some programs may eek out every last mhz on a single core yet not take advantage of more cores. Other software may run much faster with more cores despite a slower CPU.

securityguy

There are still a few low-end i3 processors which don't support AES-NI, which is hardware instructions for accelerating AES encryption. Without that, if you want to use full disk encryption (and everyone should, really) then it's slow and kills the battery.

You can check here:

http://ark.intel.com/search/advanced/?s=t&FamilyText=4th%20Generation%20Intel®%20Core™%20i3%20Processors&AESTech=true

mrecuk

UPDATE

I decided to buy the HP with an i3 processor. I couldn't really justify the extra expense for an i5 for what I'll be using the laptop for.

Lastly, my last laptop had a second generation i3 processor. Will the new 5th generation i3 be much of an improvement?

pappa_golf

goto this website and scroll down to the first , click on compare , then 2nd /compare then your old one and compare , then check the values


http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php

kwikbreaks

Ah yes - good to see you keeping up with the thread. I posted that exact same link in post #2

Fightsback

mrecuk wrote: »

UPDATE

I decided to buy the HP with an i3 processor. I couldn't really justify the extra expense for an i5 for what I'll be using the laptop for.

Lastly, my last laptop had a second generation i3 processor. Will the new 5th generation i3 be much of an improvement?

How much are you paying ?

One thing I will suggest about the HP is that it may only be a single stick of RAM so it won't get the best out of the integrated graphics, you need dual sticks for that.

oliviarose

I can let you know that I went from a laptop with an i7 to a laptop with an i3 and while I don't have any problems as such, I certainly noticed a difference in speed, longer delays especially when multitasking.

pappa_golf

kwikbreaks wrote: »

Ah yes - good to see you keeping up with the thread. I posted that exact same link in post #2

yup I spotted it cunningly hidden under a different coloured word entitled "here" , but only after a re read , as the OP was still asking further down the thread , I presumed that they had missed it at first glance.


perhaps >click here< would have been easier for the OP


however , its a good informative link , as quite often intels numbering system can leave you worrying