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Easiest way to compare CPUs?

Gangster

Gangster

Gangster

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Mainly an intel question but if there is something for amd too that would be great.

I've not been following tech for a while now, but i'm looking to build a new pc soon. I keep hearing things like ''the new i5 is faster than x gen i9''. What's the easiest way of me being able to compare this?

Obviously I am being drawn in by i7 etc, but then when I hear that a x gen i3 is equivalent (etc) it makes it a bit confusing.

Hope that makes sense.
 
Google for reviews of a recently released processor like the 14900K or whatever, from sites like TechPowerUp who include loads of CPUs as a reference i.e.

www.techpowerup.com

Intel Core i7-14700K Review - Catching the 13900K

Intel Core i7-14700K is the only processor released today with an upgraded core configuration. Thanks to an additional four E-Cores, more cache and a 200 MHz frequency bump, the 14700K reaches performance quite close to the 13900K, at much better pricing.
www.techpowerup.com www.techpowerup.com
 
I think you first need to be open to recognising what it is you are expecting to be doing with your computer as some tasks are more suited to some processors.

Some lower core cps can work at very fast top speeds, in some cases faster than high core models. If you have a game that only uses a few cores, then top speed matters, and so an i5 might outperform an i7. Conversely, some workloads hugely benefit from high core counts, so a high count working at a slower speed than a low core count will still win out in that situation.

So it’s not possible to state x is better than y … such a statement needs a qualifier : x is better than y in workload z.

You need to find / define your z , and from that you’ll find x by looking at reviews of CPUs where they are testing x as the metric.
 
Rough comparisons can be made with PassMark and Cinebench, both of which have single and multi core/thread scores, though such simple comparisons are often complicated by benchmark versions and instruction sets.

The best way is to look at benchmarks for your specific usage (e.g. games, Photoshop, whatever).

As said above, it is very hard to compare different generations without knowing your workload.

With production workloads, you'd often want to know: "how much time will save this me?", with gaming: "how much FPS will it get me?" and it is easier to make that comparison between two CPUs, though in both cases there are other variables that you can't discount.

If you want general advice: a current gen i3 is enough for basic desktop usage and games for "right now", but with a lifespan of a few years. A current gen i5 is a capable multitasker and plenty good enough for games with a midrange graphics card. A lifespan of 4-5 years is typical. A current gen i7 or i9 is best for productivity and a high-end graphics card, but lifespan is not usually better than the i5, because power users demand more performance, sooner.
 
Gangster said:
Mainly an intel question but if there is something for amd too that would be great.

I've not been following tech for a while now, but i'm looking to build a new pc soon. I keep hearing things like ''the new i5 is faster than x gen i9''. What's the easiest way of me being able to compare this?

Obviously I am being drawn in by i7 etc, but then when I hear that a x gen i3 is equivalent (etc) it makes it a bit confusing.

Hope that makes sense.
Click to expand...
As others have said, you can’t say an i7 is better than an i3 (or vice versa) because it depends.

The i7 will be far more expensive and run hotter.

Are you gaming? Rendering? Video editing? What’s your budget?

Read reviews, do some research and don’t look at synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench for answers.

You should also consider AMD as their processors run cooler and the AM5 socket is still expecting another CPU refresh compared to Intels 14th CPU lineup.
 
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Gangster said:
Mainly an intel question but if there is something for amd too that would be great.

I've not been following tech for a while now, but i'm looking to build a new pc soon. I keep hearing things like ''the new i5 is faster than x gen i9''. What's the easiest way of me being able to compare this?

Obviously I am being drawn in by i7 etc, but then when I hear that a x gen i3 is equivalent (etc) it makes it a bit confusing.

Hope that makes sense.
Click to expand...
I find toms hardware best builds is a good place to start
 
Donnie Fisher said:
I think you first need to be open to recognising what it is you are expecting to be doing with your computer as some tasks are more suited to some processors.

Some lower core cps can work at very fast top speeds, in some cases faster than high core models. If you have a game that only uses a few cores, then top speed matters, and so an i5 might outperform an i7. Conversely, some workloads hugely benefit from high core counts, so a high count working at a slower speed than a low core count will still win out in that situation.

So it’s not possible to state x is better than y … such a statement needs a qualifier : x is better than y in workload z.

You need to find / define your z , and from that you’ll find x by looking at reviews of CPUs where they are testing x as the metric.
Click to expand...

X + (Y/Z) = ?
 
Gamer Nexus is pretty good for wide ranging multi-generational comparisons as are Hardware Unboxed. The nice thing about both is they do written content aswell so you don't necessarily need to watch a video to get this information. Hardware Unboxed is https://www.techspot.com/ and Gamer's Nexus is just that https://gamersnexus.net/

GN have actually done some CPU comparisons lately https://gamersnexus.net/cpus/amd-ry...evisit-vs-5800x3d-7800x3d-more-cpu-benchmarks ...it's not just what the headline says it includes a load of Intel chips going back to 12th gen. If you dig you could find older Intel's like 10th and 11th gen but you're not going to be buying those now so probably not a lot of point.
 
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