Intel 7th generation processors, faster, smaller and less power hungry.

Intel 7th generation processors, faster, smaller and less power hungry.

How can I tell if my processor is any good?

The gain in speed isn't increasing as fast as it use to but what is happening with the newest generation of Intel processors is that you are finding power previously available only in desktops in smaller form factors.  The new processors smaller size and less power consumption mean they run cooler and battery life is longer.

There are differences within the generations?

I have clients who purchase new computers, especially notebooks and then complain that they are not as fast as they expected.  Intel has marketed their premium chips as Core i3/i5 and i7 since the first generation was introduced in 2009.  However there are differences that you need to know to make an informed purchase.

There have been cheap Intel Pentium chips that were faster than Core i7’s! Intel uses BMW-style branding, where the Core i3, i5 and i7 are marketed as good/better/best. 

Did you know that a Core i3-6100 (6th Gen) processor is faster than certain Core i5 chips.  It has become difficult to discern which is the best processor and which gives the most bang for your buck.  This is because of the confusion Intel created when branding their Core i3/i5/i7s in 2009 when first introduced.

Intel introduces variances of the same chip.  The newest, fastest Gen 7 processor use 15 watts of power.  In 2014 Intel introduced a new family of processor called the Core M.  This chip was supposed to bridge the gap between the power Core processors and the Atom processors which were good for battery life.  The Core M processor was not a success in the PC notebook market.  However Apple used it in the MacBook lineup which is the only reason for its survival today.

Unfortunately, with Kaby Lake (7th Gen), Intel changed its naming system by putting a Y in some chip numbers. The Core m5 became the Core i5-7Y54 and the Core m7 became the Core i7-7Y75. People who may think they are getting a full-power 15W Core chip will in fact be getting a slower 4.5W Core M. Caveat emptor.

The second-gen Core i5-2500 in my 2011-vintage desktop PC is still faster than most current Intel chips, but it runs at 95W. It’s slightly slower than a brand new Core i7-7600U, but that runs at only 15W.

The new Intel processor have 20% better performance than the previous generation, but you must choose wisely when making the purchase decision.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/processors/core/core-i7-processor.html

All-New Experiences for Every Customer No matter the need, 7th Gen Intel® Core™ processors have the power to deliver. Content creators can achieve unprecedented levels of productivity with 5.5X faster 4K 360 video creation. Gamers can broadcast and maneuver seamlessly in worlds built by 3X faster graphics performance. Business users can roam freely and productively with 9.5 hours of battery life on new laptops.