In the framework of this material, on the example of microprocessor models with indices 8600K and 8700K, a comparison of the CPU will be carried out and an answer will be given to how i5 differs from i7. Also, technological features will be considered and recommendations regarding their application will be given. In addition to this, reviews of PC owners based on the chip models data and their real cost today are given.
Specialization. Appointment
Before we figure out how i5 differs from i7, we will find out the scope of use of the families of these microprocessors. Both the i5 - 8600K and the i7 - 8700K are designed to build high-performance modern computing systems. These include gaming PCs, and work or graphic stations, and computers for transcoding multimedia content, and even entry-level servers. The performance level of these chips is sufficient and allows you to run any software, including the most demanding ones, without any problems.
CPU Specifications
Now we will consider the technical characteristics of these two microprocessors and based on them we will find key differences in how i5 differs from i7. The i5-8600K and i7-8700K CPUs belong to the 8th generation of Intel chips based on the Core microarchitecture, code-named CoffeeLake. They are manufactured according to technological standards of 14 nm and are equipped with 6 computing units. The clock frequency of the first of them can vary from 3.6 to 4.3 GHz, and the second - from 3.7 to 4.7 GHz. They also have an unlocked multiplier, and due to this they can be dispersed.
An important difference between the i5 - 8600K and the i7 - 8700K is the cache organization. The first CPU has a third level of fast volatile memory equal to 9 MB, and the second - 12 MB. From the RAM perspective, these two CPU models are identical. They can address 64 GB of memory and are designed to work in conjunction with DDR4 modules. The recommended frequency of the latter is 2666 MHz. The chips also have an identical thermal package, which is equal to 95 watts.
Technological features of microprocessors
A comparison of i5 and i7 indicates that the first of them do not support NT technology, and in the second, the CPU can be activated. Due to this, on the i7 - 8700K microprocessor, it is possible to process twelve logical flows of program code on six real cores. This allows in some cases to obtain a productivity increase of 10-12 percent. The only important nuance is software optimization. That is, he must use all twelve threads in the process. Such software today includes various packages for transcoding multimedia information.
Regarding the technology for automatically increasing the clock frequency of the TurboBoost microprocessor, it can be noted that both the i5-8600K and i7-8700K support it. Only in the second case, the algorithm of its operation is more "tough". That is, the first model of the CPU can automatically increase its frequency to 4.3 GHz, and the second to 4.7 GHz. Therefore, the i7-8700K has initially higher speed. Moreover, this difference in some applications can be a solid 15%.
Stand configuration
Comparing the performance of the i7-8700K and i5-8600K is most correct with the i7-7700K, i5-7600K and Ryzen 1700X CPUs. Cost and performance are comparable.
The test bench configuration includes the following components:
- Motherboards Z270 (for 7th generation chips ), Z370 (for 8th generation CPUs) and B350 (for AMD solutions).
- Company cooler Thermalright Archon.
- Graphics accelerator GTX 1080 8Gb GDDR5.
- RAM standard DDR4 with a nominal frequency of 2666 MHz 2 modules of 8 GB.
- SSD with a capacity of 960 GB.
- 1.2 kW power supply.
Synthetic tests. Analysis of the results
The i5 and i7 synthetic tests show a slight advantage over the second family of CPUs. Moreover, the difference can reach a very substantial 30 percent.
In the CineBench R15 utility in multithreaded mode, the following results were obtained in conditional points:
- 1700X - 1534.
- 8700K - 1392.
- 8600K - 1021.
- 7700K - 969.
- 7600K - 664.
The presence of 8 cores and 16 threads allows AMD's flagship to easily beat competitors from Intel. The difference between 8700K and 8600K is due to NT technology, increased frequencies and an increased size of level 3 cache memory. For the same reason, the heroes of this review are inferior to the flagship processor devices of the previous generation. They have four physical cores and, as a result, lower performance.,
But in the single-threaded CineBench R15 test, the situation changes as follows:
- 8700K - 198.
- 7700K - 194.
- 8600K - 184.
- 7600K - 173.
- 1700X - 155.
In this case, only one computing core is used, and the higher its frequency, the higher the level of performance. Therefore, the leader becomes 8700K, which can operate at 4.7 GHz. Then comes the 7700K, operating at 4.5 GHz, and the 8600K with 4.3 GHz. Next is 7600K, operating at 4.2 GHz. The outsiders in this test were 1700X from AMD. Its frequency is 4.2 GHz.
The advantage of i7 over i5 in multithreaded software can reach 30%, and in single-threaded software this gap is reduced to 15%.
Gaming applications. Results Analysis
The performance of i5 and i7 is even less different in gaming applications than in synthetic tests. As a rule, such programs are optimized for one computing core. In rare cases, they can already use two such blocks. Therefore, the difference becomes even smaller.
The game Dirt Rally turned out such a number of fps with FullHD resolution and average image quality:
- 8700K - 161 - 245.
- 8600K - 149 - 230.
- 7700K - 136 - 215.
- 7600K - 134 - 206.
- 1700X - 106 - 164.
The advantage of i7 chips over an i5 CPU is 10-15 frames per second. In percentage terms, this difference will be equal to 6-8%. AMD's flagship in this case is again far behind. It has a low clock speed and this is the main deterrent that it does not yet allow it to compete on equal terms with Intel microprocessors.
CPU cost
Currently, the recommended price for Intel Core i5 with an index of 8600K is $ 257. The flagship of the manufacturer is valued at $ 359. But the choice in this case must be made, not starting from the cost, but from those tasks that are planned to be implemented in the future on the assembled computing system.
Reviews
Both Intel Core i5 and i7 have a number of advantages. These include speed, energy efficiency, productivity and, of course, reliability. Their only significant drawback is the high cost. But a premium microprocessor product cannot have an initially low price.
Recommendations regarding the choice. The main differences
The i5 and i7 processors have a lot in common. But there are also significant differences. These include:
- The number of computing cores is the same and equal to 6 pieces. The presence of support for NT technology in devices of the i7 series allows software to process in 12 streams, but i5 does not allow it to be done.
- Both i5 and i7 are equipped with a third-level cache. But in the first case, its size is reduced by 25% (9 MB versus 12 MB).
- Both i5 and i7 support TurboBoost technology. But in the second case, its algorithm is more “aggressive” and allows you to automatically increase the frequency by an additional 400 MHz.
When assembling a gaming PC, workstation or graphic station, it is better to use solutions of the younger i5 line. They have sufficient speed and a more democratic cost. At the same time, the difference with flagships in solving such problems is minimal.
But for an entry-level server or a transcoding multimedia station, it is preferable to choose i7. In this case, the performance will increase significantly.
Conclusion
As part of this material, not only an answer was given to how i5 differs from i7, but their technical specifications are considered, test results are given and recommendations are given regarding possible use cases. In addition to this, a comparison was made with the flagship of AMD. Each Intel CPU family has its own recommended list of tasks for the implementation of which it is most optimally used.