Choosing your Intel Processor

Identify your requirement

A processor may not be the flashiest component of your PC, but it certainly is one of the most important. Your PC will simply not run without a processor. One of the main considerations when you intend to buy an Intel processor is the speed. And when it comes to speed you need to know what you need the speed for. Is it gaming? Or is it office work? It is the clock speed that matters here. For instance, a 3 GHz CPU pulses 3 billion times a second and a 2 GHz CPU pulses 2 billion times a second. And this determines the speed of your PC. We recommend you to check on forums, specifying the name of the game and asking for the minimum speed you can work with. Most programs and games also mention that in their instructions.

The core count

When comparing Intel processors, the core count should be taken into account. The norm today is to use more than one core. Intel has this feature called hyper-threading where a chip supports an additional thread on each core. This means that the number of cores is doubled. However, if you are considering a multi-thread processor, you should be working on applications that use more than one core. You may be surprised to know that even the most advanced games work on a single core at a time. This is a point to be kept in mind.

Consider the Motherboard

It is common knowledge that not every Intel processor works with every Motherboard. When you buy a new PC, you don’t need to worry about the type of processor because you get it pre-packaged with the PC. However, if you are planning to assemble a PC or upgrading your current one, you should make a list of the processors that are compatible with your PC motherboard and then go for the purchase. At the end of the day what matters is the motherboard socket in which the processor will fit into.

Think about the integrated graphics

Intel has recently started releasing processors with real video technology integrated into the processor die. This means that you don’t need to use discrete cards and yet get some of the most amazing graphics and video quality. This would be the perfect choice for graphic designers.

Look at the price

The price you need to pay for a processor depends on two elements – which version of Intel processor you are planning to buy and your requirement. The latest processors are bound to cost more than the previous versions. If you think you can do with the previous versions, then where is the need to spend more on a processor whose full utility you will not explore?

Other considerations

If you really want to research Intel processors and buy the best one for your PC, then take into consideration some of the other elements like boost potential, cache, 64-bit support, overclockability and TDP (Thermal Design Power, it says about power consumption of the CPU on maximum loading).

Which Intel processor for which use?

If you are planning to use your processor on servers and high performance workstations, Intel Xeon is the processor you need. Most of the microprocessors from Intel are compatible with the x86 instruction set and it is no different with the Xeon. This processor supports mainstream software applications like the Oracle DB Manager and Microsoft Windows. Xeon has multiple cores and uses hyper-threading so that it can serve several processes that are running at the same time. It also contains other performance enhancements including a pair of 64 KB cache memory units for instructions and data.

If you want to use your computer at home or for managing your small business, you can choose either Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 microprocessors. These processors have enough performance features for standard desktop and laptop computers. Like the Intel Xeon processor, most of the processors in this series feature more than one core and include Intel hyper-threading so that up to two processes can be run on each core. The clocks of these chips range from 1.2 GHz to 3.6 GHz. The speeds vary depending on which processor in the series you choose. The i7 is the fastest of all these processors and the i5 is faster than the i3 processor. All these three processors are 64-bit and include VT-x virtualization technology so that you can run multiple operating systems on a single processor.