Intel has released 9th-generation parts for desktops and laptops. Still, they’re the parts you should be considering for new machines. They offer a small improvement over 8th-generation chips, but not a sea-change. They use an architecture called Coffee Lake, which was also used for 8th-generation chips.įor this new range, Intel has improved clock speeds and reconfigured the arrangement of cores across the range. Intel’s latest chips are form its 9th-generation of modern CPUs. And then, at the top of the stack, are Core i7 processors – chips suited to high-end work and gaming. Core i5 parts are more capable, with the power to handle a broader range of situations. The general rule is easy: Core i3 chips are cheaper but weaker, Core i5 parts are mid-range, and Core i7 products are the most powerful mainstream options – but also the most expensive.ĭon’t fret if your budget won’t stretch beyond Core i3: those chips are still ample for day-to-day computing tasks. You might also wonder which Core i chip to get in a new laptop. That’s great, but it’s confusing too – Intel produces dozens of processors with different prices and specifications.
It’s always tempting to upgrade your PC with shiny new silicon, and buying a new processor is a sure-fire way to give your system a boost.
