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Is Intel core i5 worth it?

Is Intel core i5 worth it? Let's find out

Updated: Mar 2, 2023 2:37 pm
Is Intel core i5 worth it?

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Intel Core i5 is a family of mid-range desktop and laptop processors designed to deliver a powerful and practical level of performance at a price point accessible to the masses. Today, we’re discussing: Is the Intel Core i5 worth it?

Now read: Best CPU for gaming 2023


Are Intel Core i5 processors worth it?

Intel Core i5 processors have a lot going for them. These processors offer just the right amount of performance for most consumers. They aren’t overkill, but they also aren’t underpowered. 

Whether or not a processor is worth the purchase depends somewhat on your use case. If you’re interested in gaming, you want a processor with a high clock speed and a decent cache size, but only a moderate amount of cores and threads (8 to 16).

High clock speed is particularly important because the resulting boost in single-thread performance allows you to game at higher framerates. 

Core i5 processors are excellent options for gamers because of their high clock speeds and medium core counts. The much more expensive Core i7 and Core i9 processors deliver only slightly better gaming performance but are much more expensive. 

If you’re interested in a processor for productivity in demanding workloads such as video editing, 3D rendering, and data analysis, or simply want to have a healthy capacity for general multitasking, a CPU with a high core and thread count is most suitable. The more cores and threads, the better. 

Core i5 processors still offer you a great bang for your buck here because of their mid-range price point, but if you’re looking for raw multithreaded performance, you would find a Core i7 or i9 processor more suitable. 

The extra cores and threads possessed by Core i7 and i9 processors pitch in to help out with heavy multithreaded workloads, so you see faster processing times and more productivity. 


Is an Intel Core i5 processor right for me?

If you’re looking for a gaming processor built around offering you the most performance for the price you pay, the Core i5 lineup has some of the best options available in the market right now.

Core i5 processors generation 10 and above are excellent gaming processors and are affordably priced. Generation 10 and below lack hyperthreading, so it’s hard to recommend them in 2024.

Going for a more expensive Core i7 and Core i9 won’t be a good option for most people as you barely see noticeable performance gains in most titles. 

If you’re looking for a workstation processor, consider options from the modern Core i7 and Core i9 lineup, such as the 13700K and the 13900K. The Ryzen 9 lineup also has some competitive options, with the R9 7900 being one of the most power-efficient high-end chips currently available. 

The latest 13th gen Core i5 processors have more cores than their predecessors, so they offer decent multithreaded performance too. The i5-13600K, in particular, is a 14-core, 20-thread CPU that makes for a decent workstation processor. 


Best value Core i5 

The Core i5 processor offering the best value to buyers right now is inarguably the i5-13400F. 

Intel Core i5-13400F

The Intel Core i5-13400F is a 10-core, 16-thread CPU with a maximum clock speed of 4.6GHz. It’s built on Intel’s hybrid core architecture – the processor die houses 6 hyperthreaded performance cores and 4 efficiency cores. The performance cores are heavy-duty processing units, whereas the efficiency cores help the processor consume minimal power while idling.

Intel Core i5-13400F

Intel Core i5 13400F

Brand

Intel

CPU Model

Core i5

CPU Speed

4.6 GHz

Platform

Windows

10 cores and 16 threads offer you plenty of versatility. This CPU is best used for gaming and streaming, although it is fairly competent in tackling multithreaded workloads as well. At a ~$200 price point, the Core i5-13400F is one of the best value processors you can get in 2024. 


Jack is a Tech and News Writer who has a vast and proficient knowledge of CPUs, Motherboards, and Computer technology.

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