Taking the Core i5 example, your computer could have any of the following, and many beyond that as well: Core i5-7400, Core i5 7600K, Core i5 7300U, Core i5-7500HQ, Core i5-7400T and Core i5 7Y57.
This makes a big difference to how powerful your PC will be.įor example, a computer that’s labelled as having a ‘Core i5’ processor could have any number of different specifications.
When looking at what sort of processor a computer has, be sure to check the full specification sheet to see the precise processor model. This is where things start to get a little bit confusing and is where Intel’s naming convention disguises how powerful a laptop actually is. What do the numbers and letters at the end of Intel processors mean? These machines tend to score very poorly in our tests and negate many of the advantages you get from having bought a desktop in the first place. You can also find Celerons inside some very cheap desktops. They’re perfectly usable for web browsing and basic office work. These chips are power-efficient, meaning they’re great when you want a laptop with a long battery life. Newer Pentium models, such as those launched in 2017 onwards, are becoming more common on laptops costing between £250 and £300. Nowadays, it sits just above Celeron in terms of performance. You might be familiar with the Pentium brand, with the name being a mainstay of more powerful computers of the late 1990s. Intel Celeron and Pentium – cheap laptops and very cheap desktopsĬeleron and Pentium processors are at the very bottom of Intel’s range.
They’re not fast by any means, but they make up for their lack of oomph with impressive battery life figures and their ability to fit into very thin devices.įind out whether one is suitable for you - see our Windows tablet reviews. Nowadays, these chips are generally relegated to very cheap Windows tablets costing under £200. These chips offered four cores for sprightly everyday computing performance. You’ll appreciate more cores if you often have lots of programs running or open lots of web browser tabs.Ītom processors heralded the arrival of ultra-thin, ultra-light laptops in the mid-2000s. The more cores, the better, because it allows your computer to run multiple tasks at the same time without slowing down. Some newer models have six and even eight.
When looking at a processor, there are two main figures you’ll see time and time again.
Intel processors: key terms you need to know Looking for a new computer? Our tough lab tests reveal which are worth your money - see our laptop reviews and our desktop PC reviews. In this guide, we’ll explain what different Intel processor models mean and what sort of user they’re best suited for. If you’re buying a computer, chances are it’ll have an Intel processor on board, although a small number come with AMD chips and newer Macs come with the M1 processor.