In a nutshell, the Difference between an Intel i3, i5 and i7 processor

Here’s the scoop on the Intel® i3, i5, and i7 processors:

Computers were originally based on one CPU (Processor), sort of like one genius engineer working at a desk mounted on a bicycle, to process the data the computer needed.  The computer designers had the engineer pedal faster and faster to keep up (the processor frequency or clock speed) until the engineer on the bike said, “No more!”  The computer designers thought, “what if there are multiple genius engineers working together?” and the multi-core processor was born.  Turbo-boost is like saying, hey, “please work a little faster to make the deadline” and hyper-threading is similar to asking, “since you are a genius please do these 2 jobs at the same time” and so the basic difference in the Intel i3, i5, and i7 processors are;

i3 – Dual core (no turbo boost or hyper-threading)

i5 – one model is Dual Core the rest Quad core (all support turbo boost which is the ability for the clock speed to be increased to handle short periods of extra demand)

i7 – Quad core (supports turbo boost & hyper threading which is the ability to handle 2 threads per core)

For emailing and word processing an i3 is sufficient to do the job.  For photo editing and more advanced photo work an i5 is a useful computer.  For professional or large photo file processing or Auto-Cad and similar intensive processor work an i7 processor is the CPU to choose.  Or, if you can get a good deal, maybe we can help ;), consider one step up to future proof the computer purchase.