Which intel core i7 is better for gaming. The best processor for gaming

Today I will tell you maybe not new information but definitely useful! Processor is key part of the computer, performing calculations and executing commands received from programs. Now there are two most popular manufacturers of processors - these are Amd and Intel. In order not to be mistaken, I will tell you how to choose the right processor for a computer in 2014-2015, you need to know the main technical characteristics and do not forget about tests that show real possibilities, but read in more detail below or you can immediately watch the video that is at the end of the article.

How many cores do you need for 2015 games?

The number of cores should not be overlooked. The current stage of development does not allow increasing the frequency, so manufacturers are forced to develop a direction capable of parallel computing. That is, increase the number of cores, at the moment they are from 2 to 8. This parameter indicates how many programs can be run simultaneously without losing performance in games and programs. For the most popular games, you need from 4 cores to comfortably play the coolest toys like World of Tanks, Crysis, STALKER, NFS and so on.

What is the optimal frequency?

Clock frequency is a parameter measured in gigahertz. For example, 2.21 GHz informs the buyer that the processor can perform as many as 2 billion operations in one second. That is, the higher the frequency, the faster the information is processed, 1.6 GHz is enough for the office, and 2.5 for games. The clock frequency is the most important parameter, so you need to pay attention to it first of all!

AMD Models

Cache and bus frequency

The speed of outgoing and incoming information is shown by the bus frequency. The higher this indicator, the faster the exchange of information. The bus frequency is measured in gigahertz. But a high-speed block of memory or a processor cache is of great importance. It sits right on the core and performs performance enhancing features. Compared to RAM, the cache processes data much faster.

There are three levels of cache memory:

• L1 is the smallest level in terms of volume, the size of which is from 8 to 128 KB. But he is the fastest;
• L2 - slightly slower than the first, but larger than the level. It has parameters from 128 to 12288 KB;
• L3 - the third level, losing in speed to the previous ones. But its volume is much larger. The third level may be completely absent, as it is intended for northern solutions and special editions of processes. Its size reaches the limit of 16384 KB.

Other options

Less significant, but still relevant when buying a processor, such parameters as heat dissipation and socket.

socket- this is the socket where the processor should be installed on the motherboard. For example, if the marking points to an AMZ or Intel S1155 socket, then, accordingly, the motherboard is needed with an identical socket. The heat dissipation parameter shows the degree of heating during operation. This indicator must be considered first of all when choosing a cooling system. Heat dissipation is measured in watts and ranges from 50 to 300 watts.

An important characteristic is the support of various technologies. The parameter specifies a set of commands that are intended to improve performance, for example, SSE4 technology. This is a specific set of fifty-four commands that are designed to increase processor performance while working with media content and gaming applications.

The basis of the internal circuit are semiconductor elements. The scale of technology that is determined by such semiconductor elements is called the technical process. The elements consist of transistors connected to each other. Technology is improving every year, transistors are proportionally reduced in size, and therefore the performance of processors is increasing. For example, the Willamette core is made according to the 0.18 µm process. It has 42 million transistors. At the same time, another Prescott core matches technical process 0.09 microns, and the number of available transistors is 125 million.

What is better to choose Intel or AMD?

If we apply the acquired knowledge in practice and compare two modern processors, we get the following picture. For example, the AMD FX-8150 Zambezi has a clock speed of 3600MHz, while the Intel Core i5-3570K Ivy Bridge limited to a clock frequency of 3400 GHz. That is, the first is characterized quick action. Comparing these models further, it becomes clear that AMD is the leader in terms of the number of cores - 8, while Intel has only four. But this is a rather controversial point, since most applications may not be optimized to work with four cores, not that with eight. In terms of cache size, Intel also loses. It has a third level cache of 6144 KB, while AMD has 8192 KB. AMD's second-level cache is also larger - 8192 KB, while Intel's is 1024 KB.

Based on these key parameters, you need to choose the processor that is faster in games or those tasks in which you will use it, so in order to make a 100% choice, you should first of all look at comparative tests!

Top best processors for PC

At the time of buying good processor, you need to focus not only on the characteristics, but also on public opinion (reviews, forums, expert opinions). You can consult with familiar programmers who know exactly what is better to buy or rely on the opinion of friends who have recently bought a processor. We also made a rating of the best processors for a computer for 2014-2015 so that you do not sit a lot of hours on the forum, or read about paid reviews. The models that are most often bought are definitely of good quality and reasonable price. The list of the best models will help you navigate the countless variety of modern Intel devices and AMD. It is also worth considering individual preferences. Some models are better suited for games and home use, while other models are more intended for office work but not for gaming.

Budget processor up to 3000 rubles

• Celeron G1820
• Intel Pentium Dual-Core G2130 (if you are building a simple computer on intel, then this is the best choice)
• Celeron G1620
• Trinity A4-5300
• AMD A6 6400K
• AMD A6 5400K
(the best processor entry level)

The best processors for 4000 rubles

• Intel Pentium Dual-Core G3420 (optimal for Intel)
• AMD Athlon X4 860K
• Trinity A8-5600K
• AMDFX4300 (best for the money for an entry level gaming pc)
• Core i3-2120 (if you find it good replacement hemp)
• Pentium Processor G3220

The best processors for 5000 rubles

• AMD Athlon X4 860K
• FX-4300
• FX-6300 Best buy for your money
• FX-8320
• Core i3-3220
• AMD Richland A8-6600K
• AMD Trinity A8-5600K 3.6GHz/4MB
• Core i3-4130

Best Processor for Gaming 2015

• Intel Core i5-4440
• AMD FX-9590
• Core i5-4670K
• Core i7-3770K
(the best processor for gaming today)(a good choice if you can find it and if you are building an amd system unit)
• AMD FX-6350
• AMD Richland A10-6800K
• AMD FX-4350

Well, if you have an unlimited amount of money, then these three models are exactly what you need for the most powerful system block, but finding such devices will not be so easy, just believe me, it's worth it!

• Intel Core i7-4960X Extreme Edition
• Xeon E5-2650 v2

Comparison of intel and amd processors 2015 table

Updated: 13.02.2018 12:18:37

The Intel Core i5 series includes mid-range processors that are suitable for most users (even for non-demanding gamers).

Which i5 processor to choose: what to look for?

When choosing a processor Intel series Core i5 should pay attention to the following device parameters:

Generation (defines socket and performance);

Basic clock frequency and heat dissipation;

Complete set (BOX or OEM).

Almost all processor parameters can be found directly from its name. More precisely, from the alphanumeric code, which is indicated immediately after the series and looks like "8350U".

For example, the Intel Core i5-8350U belongs to the eighth generation, provides a fairly average peak performance and is designed for use in ultrabooks. This is clear from the model code. The first digit in the entry - in this case "8" - indicates the generation of the model. The second is performance. The higher it is, the higher the base clock frequency of the processor. The last character - in this case "U" - indicates the type of processor.

Intel updates its processors annually. Therefore, for the fourth quarter of 2017, the eighth generation of chips is relevant - coffee lake.

The generation of chips determines not only the performance and other performance characteristics, but also the compatibility of the processor with the motherboard. The fact is that the socket (connector for connecting) updates about once every two to three years. Thus, processors of the Haswell and Broadwell generations (fourth and fifth, respectively) are designed for installation in the LGA1150 socket, while Skylake, Kabu Lake and Coffee Lake (sixth, seventh and eighth) - in LGA1151.

Since cross compatibility between Intel sockets no, you need to choose a processor based on which socket is installed in the existing motherboard. So, if it is equipped with an LGA1150, then an upgrade or replacement of the processor is available only within the Haswell and Broadwell generations.

If you want to buy a more recent processor, you will need to replace the motherboard with one equipped with the most current version socket (at the end of 2017, this is Intel LGA1151-v2, designed specifically for Coffee Lake).

Processor type

Intel Core i5 processors are available in various configurations. So, today on the market you can find the following versions of chips:

Y - for laptops and subnotebooks. Have the least power consumption;

U - for ultrabooks. Have low power consumption, but optimal performance, especially in multi-threaded mode;

Q - quad-core versions;

K - versions with an unlocked multiplier. Provide the highest performance, suitable for gamers. They can be overclocked directly through the BIOS of the computer.

It is worth considering that many Intel models Core i5, which are sold in BOX and OEM packages in the retail market, simply do not have a letter extension in their name. This means that these processors are designed for use in desktop systems and correspond in their capabilities and characteristics to Q-configurations.

Base clock and heat dissipation

The base clock frequency is a parameter that indirectly determines the performance of the processor. In fact, it is not worth chasing its maximum value within the Intel Core i5 line. If you replace the seventh generation processor with a base clock speed of 2.5 GHz with a processor of the same generation, only with 3.0 GHz, there will be no noticeable increase in performance.

But the heat dissipation and power consumption will increase. And these parameters also have to be taken into account. You may need a new cooler and power supply.

Thus, the appropriate methodology for choosing a processor when upgrading is:

First try to find a more "fresh" model (of the next generation);

If not possible, purchase a model with a higher clock speed.

However, this is only true when upgrading within the Intel Core i5 family. If an update is required to improve the performance of the computer, it is advisable to replace the chip with a different family (i7).

Processor performance is determined by 2-4 digits in the model number. The higher the three-digit number formed by them, the faster the chip works.

Equipment

In the retail market, Intel Core i5 processors are available in two configurations - BOX and OEM.

The first one is really focused on the retail market. The BOX package, in addition to the processor itself, includes numerous instructions for it, a cooler with a mount, as well as a three-year warranty.

In the second option - OEM - the buyer gets only the processor. And it has a 1 year warranty.

However, buying a BOX package is not advisable. It is more expensive than OEM, and the cooler included in it is usually not very productive and very noisy. Therefore, many professional assemblers immediately change it to some other one. The only advantage of the BOX configuration is a three-year warranty on the processor. But if the chip works the first year without any complaints, it will function normally in the rest.

Summary

Thus, when choosing a processor, it is worth starting from the characteristics of an existing one, and the selection procedure itself for upgrading is as follows:

Try to "raise" a generation. Sandy Bridge can be upgraded to Ivy Bridge, Haswell to Broadwell, Skylake to Kabu Lake or Coffee Lake, Kabu Lake to Coffee Lake;

If the computer already has Ivy Bridge or Broadwell generation processors installed, then you can choose a more productive chip configuration (with a higher clock speed) or purchase a model from the i7 family;

If your computer already has top processor generations of Ivy Bridge or Broadwell, then the only way out is to replace the motherboard with a more “fresh” one.

If we are talking about buying a processor for the first assembly of a computer, it is advisable to look at models of Lake-families.

The first quad-core processor was released in autumn 2006. They became the Intel Core 2 Quad model, based on the Kentsfield core. At that time, bestsellers such as The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion and Half-Life 2: Episode One. The "killer of all gaming computers" Crysis has not appeared yet. And the DirectX 9 API with shader model 3.0 was in use.

How to choose a processor for a gaming PC. We study the effect of processor dependence in practice

But it's the end of 2015. On the market, in the desktop segment, there are 6- and 8-core central processors, but 2- and 4-core models are still considered popular. Gamers are raving about PC versions of GTA V and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt that don't exist yet gaming video card, capable of delivering a comfortable FPS level in 4K resolution at maximum graphics quality settings in Assassin's Creed Unity. In addition, there was a release operating system Windows 10, which means the era of DirectX 12 has officially arrived. As you can see, a lot of water has flowed under the bridge in nine years. Therefore, the question of choosing a central processor for a gaming computer is more relevant than ever.

The essence of the problem

There is such a thing as the effect of processor dependence. It can appear in absolutely any computer game. If the performance of the video card rests on the capabilities of the central chip, then they say that the system is processor-dependent. It must be understood that there is no single scheme by which the strength of this effect can be determined. It all depends on the features of a particular application, as well as the selected graphics quality settings. However, in absolutely any game, tasks such as the organization of polygons, lighting and physics calculations, artificial intelligence modeling, and many other actions fall on the “shoulders” of the central processor. Agree, there is plenty of work.

The most difficult thing is to choose a central processor for several graphics adapters at once

In processor-dependent games, the number of frames per second can depend on several parameters of the "stone": architecture, clock speed, number of cores and threads, as well as cache size. The main purpose of this material is to identify the main criteria that affect performance graphics subsystem, as well as to form an understanding of which central processor is suitable for a particular discrete video card.

Frequency

How to identify processor dependence? The most effective way is empirically. Since the CPU has several parameters, let's analyze them one by one. The first characteristic, which most often pay close attention to, is the clock frequency.

The clock frequency of the central processors has not been growing for quite a long time. At first (in the 80s and 90s), it was the increase in megahertz that led to a frenzied growth general level performance. Now the frequency of AMD and Intel CPUs is frozen in the delta of 2.5-4 GHz. Everything below is too budget and not quite suitable for a gaming computer; anything above is already overclocking. This is how processor lines are formed. For example, there is an Intel Core i5-6400 running at 2.7GHz ($182) and there is a Core i5-6500 running at 3.2GHz ($192). These processors have the same absolutely all characteristics, except for the clock frequency and price.

Overclocking has long become a "weapon" of marketers. For example, only a lazy producer motherboards does not brag about the excellent overclocking potential of its products

On sale you can find chips with an unlocked multiplier. It allows you to independently overclock the processor. At Intel, such "stones" have the letters "K" and "X" in the name. For example, Core i7-4770K and Core i7-5690X. Plus, there are separate models with an unlocked multiplier: Pentium G3258, Core i5-5675C and Core i7-5775C. AMD processors are marked in a similar way. So, hybrid chips in the name have the letter "K". There is a line of FX processors (AM3+ platform). All "stones" included in it have a free multiplier.

Modern AMD and Intel processors support automatic overclocking. In the first case, it is called Turbo Core, in the second - Turbo Boost. The essence of its work is simple: with proper cooling, the processor during operation increases its clock frequency by several hundred megahertz. For example, the Core i5-6400 operates at 2.7 GHz, but at active technology Turbo Boost this parameter can be permanently increased up to 3.3 GHz. That is exactly 600 MHz.

It is important to remember: the higher the clock speed, the hotter the processor! So you need to take care of high-quality cooling of the “stone”

I'll take the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X video card - the most powerful single-chip gaming solution of our time. And the Intel Core i5-6600K processor is a mainstream model equipped with an unlocked multiplier. Then I'll fire up Metro: Last Light, one of the most CPU-intensive games of our day. The graphics quality settings in the application are selected in such a way that the number of frames per second each time rests on the performance of the processor, but not the video card. In case of GeForce GTX TITAN X and Metro: Last Light - maximum graphics quality, but without anti-aliasing. Next I will measure average level FPS in the range from 2 GHz to 4.5 GHz in Full HD, WQHD and Ultra HD resolutions.

Processor dependency effect

The most noticeable effect of processor dependence, which is logical, is manifested in light modes. So, in 1080p, as the frequency increases, the average FPS also steadily increases. The results were very impressive: when the speed of the Core i5-6600K increased from 2 GHz to 3 GHz, the number of frames per second in Full HD resolution increased from 70 FPS to 92 FPS, that is, by 22 frames per second. With an increase in frequency from 3 GHz to 4 GHz - another 13 FPS. Thus, it turns out that the processor used at preset settings graphics quality was able to "pump" the GeForce GTX TITAN X in Full HD only from 4 GHz - it was from this mark that the number of frames per second with an increase in the CPU frequency stopped growing.

As the resolution increases, the effect of processor dependence becomes less noticeable. Namely, the number of frames stops growing, starting from 3.7 GHz. Finally, in Ultra HD resolution, we almost immediately ran into the potential of the graphics adapter.

There are many discrete graphics cards. It is customary in the market to catalog these devices in three segments: Low-end, Middle-end and High-end. Captain Evidence suggests that graphics adapters of different performance are suitable different processors with different frequencies.

The dependence of performance in games on the frequency of the central processor

Now I’ll take the GeForce GTX 950 video card - a representative of the upper Low-end segment (or lower Middle-end), that is, the absolute opposite of the GeForce GTX TITAN X. The device belongs to the entry level, however, it is able to provide a decent level of performance in modern games in Full HD resolution. As can be seen from the graphs below, the processor, operating at a frequency of 3 GHz, "pumps" the GeForce GTX 950 in both Full HD and WQHD. The difference with the GeForce GTX TITAN X is visible to the naked eye.

It is important to understand that the less load falls on the “shoulders” of the video card, the higher the frequency of the central processor should be. It is irrational to purchase, for example, an adapter of the GeForce GTX TITAN X level and use it in games at a resolution of 1600x900 pixels.

Video cards of the Low-end level (GeForce GTX 950, Radeon R7 370) will have enough of a central processor operating at a frequency of 3 GHz. Middle-end adapters (Radeon R9 280X, GeForce GTX 770) - 3.4-3.6 GHz. High-end flagship video cards (Radeon R9 Fury, GeForce GTX 980 Ti) - 3.7-4 GHz. Productive bundles SLI/CrossFire - 4-4.5 GHz

Architecture

In reviews devoted to the release of one or another generation of central processors, the authors continually state that the difference in performance in x86 calculations is a meager 5-10% year after year. This is a kind of tradition. Neither AMD nor Intel have seen any serious progress for a long time, and phrases like " keep sitting on my Sandy Bridge, wait for next year»become winged. As I said, in games, the processor also has to process a large number of data. In this case, a reasonable question arises: to what extent is the effect of processor dependence observed in systems with different architectures?

For both AMD and Intel chips, you can define a list of modern architectures that are still popular. They are relevant in global scale the difference in performance between them is not so big.

Let's take a couple of chips - Core i7-4790K and Core i7-6700K - and make them work at the same frequency. Processors based on the Haswell architecture are known to have appeared in the summer of 2013, and Skylake solutions in the summer of 2015. That is, exactly two years have passed since the update of the “so” processor line (this is how Intel calls crystals based on completely different architectures).

Impact of architecture on game performance

As you can see, there is no difference between the Core i7-4790K and Core i7-6700K running at the same frequencies. Skylake is only ahead of Haswell in three games out of ten: in Far Cry 4 (by 12%), in GTA V (by 6%) and in Metro: Last Light (by 6%) - that is, in all the same processor-dependent applications. However, 6% is mere trifles.

Comparison of processor architectures in games ( NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980)

A few platitudes: it is obvious that gaming computer it is better to assemble on the basis of the most modern platform. After all, not only the performance of the chips themselves is important, but also the functionality of the platform as a whole.

Modern architectures with a few exceptions have the same performance in computer games. Owners of processor families Sandy Bridge, Ivy Bridge and Haswell can feel quite calm. With AMD, the situation is similar: various variations of the modular architecture (Bulldozer, Piledriver, Steamroller) in games have approximately the same level of performance

Cores and Threads

The third and perhaps the determining factor that limits the performance of a video card in games is the number of CPU cores. It's no coincidence that a growing number of games have a quad-core CPU in their minimum system requirements. Vivid examples include such modern hits as GTA V, Far Cry 4, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Assassin's Creed Unity.

As I said at the very beginning, the first quad-core processor appeared nine years ago. Now there are 6- and 8-core solutions on sale, but 2- and 4-core models are still in use. I will give a table of markings for some popular AMD and Intel lines, dividing them depending on the number of "heads".

AMD hybrid processors (A4, A6, A8 and A10) are sometimes referred to as 8-, 10- and even 12-core. It's just that the company's marketers add elements of the built-in graphic module to the computing units. Indeed, there are applications that can use heterogeneous computing (when x86 cores and embedded video process the same information together), but this scheme is not used in computer games. The computational part performs its task, the graphic - its own.

Some Intel processors (Core i3 and Core i7) have a certain number of cores but double the number of threads. Hyper-Threading technology is responsible for this, which was first used in Pentium 4 chips. Threads and cores are slightly different things, but we'll talk about this a little later. In 2016, AMD will release processors based on the Zen architecture. For the first time, the "red" chips will acquire technology similar to Hyper-Threading.

In fact, the Core 2 Quad on the Kentsfield core is not a full-fledged quad-core. It is based on two Conroe crystals, divorced in one package under the LGA775

Let's do a little experiment. I took 10 popular games. I agree that such an insignificant number of applications is not enough to state with 100% certainty that the effect of processor dependence has been fully studied. However, the list included only hits that clearly demonstrate the trends in modern game development. The graphics quality settings were selected in such a way that the final results did not rest against the capabilities of the video card. For the GeForce GTX TITAN X, this is the maximum quality (without anti-aliasing) and Full HD resolution. The choice of such an adapter is obvious. If the processor can "pump" the GeForce GTX TITAN X, then it will cope with any other video card. The stand used top Core i7-5960X for LGA2011-v3 platform. Testing was carried out in four modes: when activating only 2 cores, only 4 cores, only 6 cores and 8 cores. Hyper-Threading multithreading technology was not involved. Plus, testing was carried out with two frequencies: at nominal 3.3 GHz and overclocked to 4.3 GHz.

Processor dependence in GTA V

GTA V is one of the few modern games that use all eight "crusts" of the processor. Therefore, it can be called the most processor-dependent. On the other hand, the difference between six and eight cores was not so impressive. Judging by the results, the two cores are very far behind other modes of operation. The game slows down, a large number of textures are simply not drawn. The stand with four cores shows noticeably better results. It lags only 6.9% behind the six-core one, and 11% behind the eight-core one. Whether in this case the game is worth the candle - you decide. However, GTA V clearly demonstrates how the number of processor cores affects the performance of the video card in games.

The vast majority of games behave in a similar way. In seven out of ten applications, the system with two cores turned out to be processor-dependent. That is, the FPS level was limited by the central processor. At the same time, in three out of ten games, the six-core bench showed an advantage over the quad-core one. True, the difference cannot be called significant. Far Cry 4 turned out to be the most radical game - it stupidly did not start on a system with two cores.

The increase from the use of six and eight cores in most cases turned out to be either too small, or there was none at all.

Processor dependence in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

The three games loyal to the dual-core system were The Witcher 3, Assassin's Creed Unity and Tomb Raider. In all modes, the same results were demonstrated.

For those who are interested, I will give a table with full results testing.

performance of multi-core systems in games

Four cores is the optimal number for today. At the same time, it is obvious that gaming computers should not be assembled with a dual-core processor. In 2015, just such a “stone” is the bottleneck in the system

We figured out the cores. The test results clearly show that in most cases four "heads" in a processor are better than two. At the same time, some Intel models (Core i3 and Core i7) can boast of supporting Hyper-Threading technology. Without going into details, I note that such chips have a certain number of physical cores and twice the number of virtual ones. IN common applications There is no doubt that there is a sense from Hyper-Threading. But how does this technology fare in games? This issue is especially relevant for the line of Core i3 processors - nominally dual-core solutions.

To determine the effectiveness of multithreading in games, I assembled two test benches: with a Core i3-4130 and a Core i7-6700K. In both cases, we used GeForce graphics card GTX TITAN X.

Core i3 Hyper-Threading Efficiency

In almost all games, Hyper-Threading technology has affected the performance of the graphics subsystem. Naturally, in better side. In some cases, the difference has been enormous. For example, in The Witcher, the number of frames per second increased by 36.4%. True, in this game without Hyper-Threading, disgusting friezes were observed every now and then. I note that the Core i7-5960X did not notice such problems.

As for the quad processor Core i7 with Hyper-Threading, support for these technologies made itself felt only in GTA V and Metro: Last Light. That is, only two games out of ten. They also noticeably increased the minimum FPS. Overall, the Hyper-Threaded Core i7-6700K was 6.6% faster in GTA V and 9.7% faster in Metro: Last Light.

Hyper-Threading in Core i3 is really dragging, especially if the system requirements indicate a quad-core processor model. But in the case of Core i7, the increase in performance in games is not so significant.

Cache

We figured out the main parameters of the central processor. Each processor has a certain amount of cache. To date, in modern integrated solutions up to four levels of this type of memory are used. The cache of the first and second levels, as a rule, is determined by the architectural features of the chip. The cache of the third level from model to model can change. I will give a small table for your reference.

So, the more productive Core i7 processors have 8 MB of cache in the third level, the less fast Core i5 have 6 MB. Will these 2 MB affect performance in games?

The Broadwell family and some Haswell processors use 128 MB of eDRAM (Level 4 cache). In some games, it can seriously speed up the system.

It's very easy to check. To do this, you need to take two processors from the Core i5 and Core i7 lines, set the same frequency for them and disable Hyper-Threading technology. As a result, in the nine games tested, only F1 2015 showed a noticeable difference of 7.4%. The rest of the 3D entertainment did not respond in any way to the 2-MB cache deficit in the third level in the Core i5-6600K.

Impact of L3 cache on gaming performance

The difference in L3 cache between Core i5 and Core i7 processors in most cases does not affect system performance in modern games

AMD or Intel?

All tests discussed above were carried out with the participation of Intel processors. However, this does not mean at all that we do not consider AMD solutions as the basis for a gaming computer. The following are test results using the FX-6350 chip used in the productive platform AMD AM3+, using four and six cores. Unfortunately, I did not have an 8-core AMD "stone" at my disposal.

Comparison of AMD and Intel in GTA V

GTA V has already established itself as the most processor-intensive game. With the use of four cores in an AMD system, the average FPS level turned out to be higher than, for example, Core i3 (without Hyper-Threading). In addition, in the game itself, the image was rendered smoothly, without slowdowns. But in all other cases Intel cores were consistently faster. The difference between processors is significant.

Below is a table with full testing AMD FX processor.

Processor dependency in AMD system

There is no noticeable difference between AMD and Intel in only two games: The Witcher and Assassin's Creed Unity. In principle, the results lend themselves perfectly to logic. They reflect the real alignment of forces in the market of central processors. Intel cores are noticeably more powerful. Including in games. Four AMD cores compete with two Intel. At the same time, the average FPS is often higher for the latter. Six AMD cores compete with four Core i3 threads. Logically, eight "heads" of the FX-8000/9000 should impose a fight on the Core i5. Yes, AMD cores are absolutely deservedly called "semi-cores". These are the features of modular architecture.

The result is banal. For games, Intel solutions are better suited. However, among budget decisions(Athlon X4, FX-4000, A8, Pentium, Celeron) AMD products are preferred. Testing has shown that the slower four cores perform better in CPU-intensive games than the faster two Intel cores. In the middle and high price ranges (Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, A10, FX-6000, FX-8000, FX-9000), Intel solutions are already preferable

DirectX 12

As already mentioned at the very beginning of the article, with the release of Windows 10, DirectX 12 became available for game developers. You can get acquainted with a detailed overview of this API. The DirectX 12 architecture finally determined the direction of development of modern game development: developers began to need low-level software interfaces. The main task of the new API is to rationally use the hardware capabilities of the system. This includes the use of all computational threads of the processor, and general-purpose calculations on the GPU, and direct access to the resources of the graphics adapter.

Windows 10 has just arrived. However, there are already applications in nature that support DirectX 12. For example, Futuremark has integrated the Overhead subtest into the benchmark. This preset is able to determine the performance computer system, using not only the DirectX 12 API, but also AMD Mantle. The way the Overhead API works is simple. DirectX 11 imposes limits on the number of processor drawing commands. DirectX 12 and Mantle solve this problem by allowing more draw commands to be called. So, during the test, an increasing number of objects are displayed. Until the graphics adapter can no longer cope with their processing, and the FPS does not fall below 30 frames. For testing, I used a stand with a Core i7-5960X processor and Radeon graphics card R9 NANO. The results turned out to be very interesting.

It is noteworthy that in patterns using DirectX 11, changing the number of CPU cores has almost no effect on overall result. But with using DirectX 12 and Mantle the picture changes dramatically. Firstly, the difference between DirectX 11 and low-level APIs turns out to be just cosmic (somewhere by an order of magnitude). Secondly, the number of "heads" of the central processor significantly affects the final result. This is especially noticeable when moving from two cores to four and from four to six. In the first case, the difference reaches almost a two-fold mark. At the same time, there are no special differences between six and eight cores and sixteen threads.

As you can see, the potential of DirectX 12 and Mantle (in the 3DMark benchmark) is simply huge. However, do not forget that we are dealing with synthetics, they do not play it. In reality, it makes sense to evaluate the profit from using the latest low-level APIs only in real computer entertainment.

The first PC games that support DirectX 12 are already on the horizon. These are Ashes of the Singularity and Fable Legends. They are in active beta testing. The other day colleagues from Anandtech

Core i5 and Core i7- two series of processor models from Intel, widely represented today on the market of modern PC assemblies and laptop models. Have computer device on the basis of processors of these series dreams, perhaps, every user who cares about such concepts as performance, speed and stability. What is the difference between Core i5 and Core i7, and which series processor is better - this will be discussed below.

A brief overview of the series of processors from Intel

Before proceeding to the comparative specifics of the Core i5 and Core i7, let's take a brief look at all the popular series of processors manufactured by Intel. In order of increasing performance, these series will look like this:

1.1. Intel Celeron - a series of low-budget processors with x86 architecture.

1.2. Intel Pentium- a series of several generations of processors with different performance, the name of the series has become a trademark.

1.3. Intel Core i3- A series of low-budget and mid-price processors that have replaced the once popular, but over time, outdated Core 2 Duo processors.

The first three series - Celeron, Pentium and Core i3 - are processors used in simple budget assemblies PC. They are designed for moderate performance: for example, based on these processors, good PC builds are obtained for everyday office work and media entertainment at home: Internet surfing, office applications, software bases data, video, music - the processors of this series will play such content without any problems.

1.4. Intel Core i5 is a series of high-performance processors that represents a middle niche between Core i3 - less powerful and more affordable solutions - and Core i7 - super-performance expensive processors.

1.5. Intel Core i7- this is the most advanced series of processors from Core i7, the advantages and features of which will be mentioned below.

The Core i5 and Core i7 series processors are ideal for gaming, complex programs such as graphics processing or video editing, as they can provide maximum performance, as well as fully unlock the capabilities of the PC graphics card.

1.6. Intel Xeon is a series of server processors. But sometimes they are part of the assembly of conventional computers. For example, on the basis Xeon processor running Mac Pro - professional computer manufactured by Apple.

Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7: which is better to buy?

So, a series of productive Core i5 and Core i7 processors - which is better?

If we regard the criterion "better" as "more productive", then naturally, better processors Core i7, because this is the most advanced series of processors from Intel today, and they do not have very many competitors on the market. If we compare the Core i5 and Core i7 series, then the latest Intel developments are introduced into the processors of the latter, they provide support for higher clock speeds, and also have a larger memory cache.

But everything would be fine if the money fell from the sky, and it would simply be necessary to get up early in the morning and collect it in a basket. Core i7 processors are serious, powerful solution, but for it, as expected, you have to pay, and pay a lot of money. The other side of the question, what is better Core i5 or Core i7 - will the performance of Core i7 be justified? Does the user really need such power? Perhaps it would be much more expedient to invest some of the money in the purchase of a Core i5 processor, and for the rest to buy some kind of powerful video card or afford more RAM.

Five of the best processor models from Intel for each price niche

A short review of the top five Intel processor models, selected for different financial capabilities of users separately in descending order of price, will help you see the difference between Core i5 and Core i7 more clearly.

So, let's start with the most productive solution, at the same time, and, of course, the most costly in terms of finances.

Intel Core i7-3960X Extreme Edition

This is the best processor manufactured by Intel, which has not lost its leadership position in terms of performance since 2012, despite the fact that there are already more powerful solutions on the market today. However, even for this "beast" you will have to pay about $1000. So let's start with this price point.

This processor works with six cores, the frequency of which is 3.3 GHz. The volume indicators of the cache memory of the 1st and 2nd levels, respectively, are as follows: 384 KB and 1.5 MB. The level 3 cache is impressive, as it is as much as 15 MB. The processor performance is enough to cope with any task, and especially pleasant impressions will be with fans of extreme overclocking of the processor.

If the price of the previous processor model from Intel bites a little, but you want advanced performance, you might want to pay attention to this option, and it will cost much less - about $650. This is also a six-core processor, but with a slightly lower clock speed of 3.2 GHz. It has the same level 1 and 2 cache memory as the previous model, and is inferior to this version only in the level 3 cache - 12 MB.

The choice in the middle price niche of any computer product is always complicated by a large number of models that may vary technical specifications both towards a profitable solution for the user, and vice versa - an overpriced price with unjustified performance. So if there is a $350 price limit for buying a processor, then it is better to look at the Intel Core i7-2700K model. It is this processor that can be safely classified as "the best performance in terms of moderate price", because these are 4 computing cores with a frequency of 3.5 GHz. As for the amount of cache memory of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd levels, these figures are as follows: 64 KB, 256 KB and 8 MB, respectively.

This processor will be a more affordable option, its cost ranges from $250. It features four 3.4GHz cores with 256KB L2 cache and 6MB L3 cache.

This is a very good budget option, which will cost around $180. This processor is also equipped with four cores with a frequency of 2.9 GHz. The volume indicators of its cache memory of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd levels, respectively, are as follows: 64 KB, 1 MB and 6 MB.

If you want, I can help you in choosing components and a processor!