Should I buy an i5 or i7 for gaming in 2024? - The [best] processors for gaming (2024)

What is the difference between an i5 and i7 processor?

i5 vs i7: Cores & Hyper Threads

The main difference between an i5 and i7 processor is that an i7 processor has more cores and Hyper Threads. This allows the i7 to be better at multitasking. The i5 however is normally just as fast in games as most rely on core speed.

i5 vs i7: Speed

There will be a small difference between an i5 and i7 processor in speed. The i7 is faster than the i5, and can handle more intensive tasks. If you are a power user who often uses demanding applications, or if you plan to use your computer for high end gaming or other resource-intensive activities, an i7 processor would be a better choice.

i5 vs i7: Cache

The biggest difference between an i5 and i7 processor is the cache size. An i5 processor has a smaller cache than an i7 processor. This means that a Core i5 Gaming PC will be slower than a Core i7 Gaming PC when performing tasks that require a lot of data to be processed.

i5 vs i7: Power Consumption

The i5 and i7 processors are two of the most popular choices for CPUs. Both offer great performance, but there are some key differences between them.

One of the biggest differences is power consumption. The i5 processor has a lower power consumption than the i7, making it a more efficient choice. This can be important for people who want to save on their energy bill, especially in todays climate of ever increasing energy costs.

i5 vs i7: Cost

Finally, the price is also a consideration. The i7 processors tend to be more expensive than i5 processors, so people need to decide if the extra features are worth the extra cost.

What are the best processors for gaming in 2024?

Intel Core i5 11600K

The Intel Core i5 11600K is one of the best i5 processors for gaming in 2024. It has a base clock speed of 3.9 GHz and a maximum turbo frequency of 4.9 GHz. It has six cores and twelve threads. It also has a maximum memory capacity of 64 GB and a maximum memory bandwidth of 25.6 GB/s.

Intel Core i7 11700K

One of the best processors for gaming in 2024 are the Intel Core i7 11700K. It has a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock speed of 5 GHz. It has eight cores and sixteen threads. These processors offer the best performance for gaming. These processors are also very power efficient, so they will not cause your computer to use too much power.

Intel Core i5 12600K

The Intel Core i5 12600K is a great processor for gaming in 2024. It has a base clock speed of 3.8 GHz and can boost up to 4.9 GHz, making it one of the fastest processors on the market. It also has six cores and twelve threads, making it ideal for gaming and other demanding tasks.

Intel Core i7 12700K

The Intel Core i7 12700K is a great processor for, gaming in 2024. It has a base clock speed of 3.6 GHz and a boost clock speed of 5 GHz. It has eight cores and sixteen threads, making it a very powerful CPU. It also has a thermal design power (TDP) of 125 watts. The 12700K is compatible with the LGA 1200 socket and supports DDR4-3200+ memory.

What are the benefits of an i5 processor?

Better Value for Money

The i5 processor is a pretty powerful processor and is suited for tasks that require more processing power, such as video editing or gaming. However the i5 processor is reasonably cheaper than an i7 CPU, so you can get just as much performance in games,at a cheaper cost.

Performance close to an i7 in most games

An i5 processor will offer performance close to an i7 in most games. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when considering an i5 processor. First, the i5 is a mid-range processor, so it won't always offer the same level of performance as an i7. Second, the i5 is not as power efficient as the i7, so it will use more power and generate more heat. Third, the i5 does not have as many cores as the i7, so you won't be able to get as much out of it if you're looking to push your system to its limits. However the i5 does still have 6 cores and 12 Hyper Threads, which make it an extremely powerful CPU in its own rights. Overall, an i5 processor is a good choice for gamers who want good performance without spending too much mone.

What are the benefits of an i7 processor?

Faster processing speed

An i7 processor is faster than an i5 processor. It has more cache memory, which helps the processor to access data quickly. It also has a higher clock speed and cores, which means that it can process more instructions per second.

Increased multitasking ability

One of the benefits of an i7 processor is that it can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. This is because it has more cores than i5 processors. This means that you can run multiple programs at the same time without experiencing any lag.

More Future Proof

An i7 processor is more future proof than an i5 processor because it has a higher clock speed and more cores. This means that it can handle more tasks at once and can handle them faster. It also has hyper-threading, which means that each core can handle two threads at once.

Should I buy an i5 or i7 for gaming in 2024?

What is Your Budget

The i5 and i7 are both great options for gaming in 2024. If you have a limited budget, an i5 Gaming PC may be the better option for you. However, if you have a larger budget, an i7 Gaming PC will provide you with better performance.

What else are you going to use the PC for?

Other than gaming, what else are you going to use the PC for?

The answer to this question will help determine whether you need an i5 or i7 processor.

If you only plan on using the PC for gaming, then an i5 processor will be just fine. However, if you also plan on using the PC for other things like video editing or streaming, then an i7 processor would be a better choice.

The reason being is that the i7 processors are better at handling more strenuous tasks. So if you plan on doing anything that requires a lot of processing power, then an i7 would be the way to go.

As for which one to buy in 2024, that really depends on what kinds of games you want to play and how much money you're willing to spend. If you're only interested in playing older games, then an i5 processor will do just fine. However, if you want to play the latest and greatest games out there, then you'll need an i7 processor. Of course, this will also depend on the type of graphics card you have as well.

In short, it really all comes down to what kind of games you want to play and what you plan on using the PC for outside of gaming. If you only need it for gaming, then an i5 will suffice. But if you plan on doing other things as well, then an i7 would be a better choice.

What level of gaming do you want to experience?

The answer to this question depends on what level of gaming you want to experience. If you are looking for a top-of-the-line gaming experience, then you will want to consider an i7 processor. However, if you are looking for a more affordable option that will still provide a good gaming experience, then an i5 processor may be a better option for you.

Is an i7 processor worth the extra money?

The i5 processor offer great value for money if you're looking to game in 2024. However you'll need an i7 to be able to handle more demanding taks. Plus, with an i7 you'll be future-proofed for a few years down the line. So if you can afford it, go for the i7!

Check out our Intel i5 Gaming PCs

Check out our Intel i7 Gaming PCs

  • Intel Core i7 12700K Nvidia RTX 4080 SUPER Gaming PC - G6 Galactic U2

    £2,339.99

    £2,149.99

    Configure from:£903.20

    £2,339.99 £2,149.99 Configure from:£903.20

    Intel Core i7 12700K Nvidia RTX 4080 SUPER Gaming PC - G6 Galactic U2

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  • Intel Core i7 12700K Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Gaming PC - G6 Genesis U2

    £2,019.99

    £1,899.99

    Configure from:£739.60

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    Intel Core i7 12700K Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Gaming PC - G6 Genesis U2

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  • Intel i7 14700K - RTX 4070 Ti SUPER Flight Sim Gaming PC - G6 Sonic FSX4

    £2,099.99 Configure from:£939.60

    £2,099.99 Configure from:£939.60

    Intel i7 14700K - RTX 4070 Ti SUPER Flight Sim Gaming PC - G6 Sonic FSX4

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  • Intel Core i7 12700F Nvidia RTX 3050 Gaming PC - G6 Storm X1

    £979.99

    £919.99

    Configure from:£155.60

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    Intel Core i7 12700F Nvidia RTX 3050 Gaming PC - G6 Storm X1

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So should you buy an i5 or i7 for gaming in 2024? Not sure yet then why not check out what i5 Gen is better for gaming in 2024, or is an i5 better than an i9 for gaming in 2024.

Should I buy an i5 or i7 for gaming in 2024? - The [best] processors for gaming (2024)

FAQs

Should I buy an i5 or i7 for gaming in 2024? - The [best] processors for gaming? ›

The i5 and i7 are both great options for gaming in 2024. If you have a limited budget, an i5 Gaming PC may be the better option for you. However, if you have a larger budget, an i7 Gaming PC will provide you with better performance.

When to choose i5 or i7? ›

i5: i5 processors are well-suited for mainstream users, light gamers, and those engaged in moderate multitasking and content creation. i7: i7 processors are designed for power users and professionals involved in resource-intensive tasks like video editing, 3D modeling and heavy multitasking.

Are newer i5 better than older i7? ›

You will get better performance by purchasing a newer i5. Older i7's were 4 cores with 8 threads. Newer i5's are either 6 cores and 6 threads or 6 cores with 12 threads.

Should I upgrade from i5 to i7? ›

Generally, for standard tasks and some gaming, the i5 should be enough. You can test your computer for performance and battery life to assess how your processor is coping with tasks. If your computer is lagging or you use it for more demanding tasks, upgrading to the i7 can boost productivity and functionality.

Is i5 i7 or i9 better for gaming? ›

The Intel i5 processor is a much better value for money compared to the i9. It offers better performance per pound, and is more than enough for most users Gaming PCs.

Does i5 vs i7 matter for gaming? ›

If you only plan on using the PC for gaming, then an i5 processor will be just fine. However, if you also plan on using the PC for other things like video editing or streaming, then an i7 processor would be a better choice. The reason being is that the i7 processors are better at handling more strenuous tasks.

What Intel Core is best for gaming? ›

For ideal results, a machine running an Intel® Core™ i7 processor or better with at least 8GB of RAM is sufficient for playing games and streaming at the same time. If you're hoping for less impact on your gaming performance, an Intel® Core™ i9 processor makes for an even smoother experience. Find out more.

Which is better, the i7 12th gen or the i5 13th gen? ›

A low-power laptop Core i5 13th gen CPU (e.g. i5–1335U) is about the same speed as 12 and 13th gen Core i7s for low-power laptops, and about as fast as 10th gen Core i7s for desktop PCs (e.g. i7–10700).

Is 12th gen i5 better than 11th gen i7? ›

Yes, that performance difference is large. But, it all depends on your use-case. To be clear, the i5-1240p is faster than the i7-1165g7.

Is i7 10 gen better or i5 11 gen? ›

Is a 11 gen Intel i5 better than a 10th gen intel i7? With regards to laptop processors, extra physical cores will generally out perform a per core improvement when the generations are similar. This means that a 10th gen i7 with 8 cores is going to beat out any of the 11th gen i5s which only have 4 cores.

How good is the Intel Core i5 for gaming? ›

For a gaming PC, there's no better value CPU than a Core i5. For most of 2022, we recommended the Core i5 12600K for the best gaming CPU and the Core i5 12400 as the best gaming CPU on a budget.

How much slower is an i5 compared to an i7? ›

Comparison Table: i5 vs i7 Processor
Namei5i7
Cache Size3MB-6MB4MB-8MB
Clock Speed1.2-3.6 GHz1.3-3.5 GHz
PerformanceMid-levelHigh level
Hyper-ThreadingNot PossiblePossible
2 more rows

Which i7 generation is best? ›

The 12700 has Total 12 Cores (8 Performance Cores and 4 Efficient Cores) and 20 Threads. This is the Best processor CPU so Far released by Intel in I7 Range. It is an APU so you donot need a Graphic card necessarily. 🆕Intel Core i7 12700 12th Generation Desktop Processor supports latest LGA1700 Socket.

Is the i7 overkill for gaming? ›

Yes, an i7 processor is excellent for gaming.

Will I notice the difference between the i5 and i7? ›

For the most part, the primary difference between the i5 and i7 comes down to the level of power that the processors can put out, with plugged-in desktop machines naturally able to consume more power. For example, the i7-12700K and i5-12600K, two of the most powerful processors Intel sells, each has a TDP of 125 watts.

Does i7 heat more than i5? ›

An i7 uses more power than an i5, logic dictates that more power = more heat. If the task is CPU intensive it will generate more heat but complete the task is a shorter period of time. Think of the saying many hands make light work. Quicker to complete but requires more horsepower or in this case CPU cycles.

How to choose between i3 i5 and i7? ›

Intel uses these names to help consumers choose the right CPU for their needs and budget, based on the general rule that i3 is for basic tasks, i5 is for mainstream tasks, and i7 is for high-end tasks.

Is i5 or i7 better for students? ›

The i5 and i7 processors are both great options for laptops, but they serve different purposes. If you're a casual user or on a budget, the i5 processor should be sufficient. If you're a power user or need to run demanding applications, the i7 processor is the way to go.

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