Intel Processors (CPU) Explained - Super Easy Guide

What is the difference between Intel Pentium vs Core i3 vs Core i5 vs Core i7 vs Core i9 processors? Find out which Intel chip is right for you and which ones you should avoid. This is a super easy guide that covers all the basics.

Remember not all CPU Generations are the same, I have a video that helps clarify this concept as well:

Other useful guides:

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[SoulOfTech]

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A reminder THE GENERATION OF YOUR INTEL PROCESSOR MATTERS! See the video below to learn the what a CPU generation is and which one is right for you:

AMD Processor Guide below in case you want to learn about that one too, made as per your request 😊

[lewairsgaming]

Same thing with graphics cards will be awesome

[alobeat]

I bought the i7-12700k, Im really happy with that CPU, I use it for college work like 3-modeling in a CAD program and running simulations. It handles games also really well and Im pretty confident that I dont have to upgrade for the next 8-10 years

[exstasis]

This is why I always consult a CPU hierarchy chart and CPU performance/price ratio chart before buying. I pick a budget, representing the quality I'm looking for, and the follow down from the top to find the first CPU that meets that budget on the performance/price ratio chart. Then I use the hierarchy chart to compare CPUs.

Same thing for GPUs.

[shridharsable]

Today my search is over!! The most simplest explanation I could ever find! Incredible!!

[Grosvenor]

The reason for the complexity, is there are quite a few important metrics, that aren’t always easy to fit into specific needs without offering a large variety of options to cover the various needs. Cores, clock speed, cache, power needs, hyperthreading, and etc, are all the most metrics that you don’t always need every metric to be high. Some people need more cores but slower cores are more than sufficient. Or maybe vice versa. Someone only has a workload that can use a single core, so they would benefit from the speed of that core instead of extra cores. Because of this, their model# looks like a weird combo of digits and #s but if you learn how to decode it, it starts to make a lot of sense. I honestly don’t think there is any best way to do this, I think it’s ok.

[kgdepapas]

my first laptop was an aspire with a pentium n3700 (acquired in 2015), it lasted 7 years with real rough use, i had to change the battery, ram, hdd, keyboard and the touchscreen before worrying of the processor.
it still works btw

[rtdzign]

I think the one thing you could have mentioned is breaking down what the model # means like how a 12600k, the 12 indicates generation 600 is the relative performance and the k means if it can be overclocked and if it has onboard video capabilities.

[thomas]

Nicely done. Clearly explained. Well said! Cheers!

[monifarr]

Thank you for this video. It's quite informative and you've presented the material in an easy-to-understand manner.

[akin]

Never get anything below i5 CPUs. Quality > random consumption.

Also, check if it is a "U" series. That series is focused on battery life efficiency. "H" series is all about max performance. HX for performance on steroids.

[osm]

the i5 is actually insane. i used to use an i5 3rd gen in 2022 and it worked surprisingly well. i used it for gaming, and it worked pretty great

[Demian]

Thank you for how simple this tutorial was!

[wbrowningify]

I've built my own systems for many years. I've always gone with the i7 or i9 of the series. I've also always maxed out the ram. These systems are always good for 7 to 9 years of use.

If you use good quality parts, they last.

[IamDoQtorNo]

Great breakdown. What chip size would u recommend for a box thats sole use case is to be a sql / mysql server ?

[TrinispaceTT]

The up to date i3s in 12th and 13th gen are just as powerful as some (if not few) yesteryear i5s and i7s and competes with some Ryzen 5 CPUs. So they could handle a little more multitasking and run more games better than the standard or older gen i3s. I know this for a fact especially since my current laptop has the Core i3-1215U inside it.

[andriussarapinas]

Yup, we need another video about the numbers after iX :)

[emoneygaming]

What i looking for is a CPU and MB that i can host VMware on.. i have an old full server in my home and want to move to hosting my VMware on on a desktop (have 6 VMs (storage server, media server and backup data (veeam) server). Would the i7 i9 be able to do the job?

[aussernllc]

I'm looking for the right processor for video editing and DAW (Davinci, OBS, Reaper). Could also use a recommendation on GPU.

[Zxanonblade]

Very informative video but I feel like it might be useful to mention the prices of the cpus on their own as well as in prebuilt systems. For example, you said an i3's price range varies between 300 and 450 but you can purchase the newest i3, the 13100/F for 118-140 USD when not in a prebuild. Other than that, this was a very useful video, especially for people who don't know as much about processors.