Laptop CPU Differences

[NoLoMo]

Hello I am shopping around for a new  laptop, I just want to learn for myself what the differences between the CPU that there are. For example the current laptop that own has a i7-4500U, which because of the i7 I thought it was a strong CPU. I now know that it is a fairly weak CPU, or so I have been told. So I just what to know the type of workload expected from which chip and where it would be better suited. If there is a guide on this already, if you could be as kind to link it, it would be appreciated.

[LienusLateTips]

The i7 is a dual core CPU. It is more suited to light gaming and light editing. Also web browsing. The i7 Desktop is a strong CPU. 

 

 

Here are 2 models: i7 6500U and i7 6700K. They are both based on the Skylake chip. the i7 6500U I would compare to the i3 6100. This chip uses very little power while the i7 uses 65W from what I can remember.

[NoLoMo]

Just now, Wedsea040 said:

CPU's with HQ or HK are going to be more powerful and more suited to gaming and heavy workloads.

 

CPU's with U or M are going to be more for power savings and portability, and are geared more for web browsing.

 

Pentium is worst, then it goes i3, i5, and i7 usually being the best.

Say I want to run OBS while recording say SMITE at 720p, at medium to high settings. Should i go for a i7 or would an i5 work as well?

 

[NoLoMo]

Just now, Wedsea040 said:

I'd say a newer i5, paired with a capable graphics card, could handle that.

Alright, thanks

[Not_Sean]

Just now, Wedsea040 said:

CPU's with HQ or HK are going to be more powerful and more suited to gaming and heavy workloads.

 

CPU's with U or M are going to be more for power savings and portability, and are geared more for web browsing.

 

Pentium is worst, then it goes i3, i5, and i7 usually being the best.

Agree Pentium is the worst, but if you look at not the Mhz but the core/Threads and the Caches it gets a way closer race.  

Most of your laptop CPU with a U or M
i3's are 2 core 4 thread 3mb cache - Desktop 2 Core 4 Threads 4mb cache
i5's are 2 Core 4 Thread 3mb Cache - Desktop 4 Core 4 Threads 6mb Cache

i7's are 2 Core 4 Thread 3mb Cache  - Desktop 4 Core 8 Threads 8mb cache

 

Think you starting to see the picture here, The current range of laptop CPU's are designed to separate you with as much money as possible with as little performance difference. Yes the speeds are different but 100-300Mhz really isn't making as big a difference as the price states. Its pretty sad

Rather go for a i5 with the best GPU you can instead of a i7 with a bottom GPU, if you can't fork out for the HQ/HK CPU's 

[Shiv78]

COmparable chips (U-series i5 and i7) the i7 will be a bit better. BUT a i5-xxxxHQ will be much better than an i7-xxxxU or i7-xYxx

[NoLoMo]

1 minute ago, Wedsea040 said:

Any laptop you are looking at in particular?

So far these two are the ones I looked at: the Inspiron 15 7000 i7-7700HQ, 8GM DDR4 w/ 1TB HDD, GTX 150Ti, and MSI GL62M 7RD-056 i7-7700HQ, 16GB DDR4 1TB HDD.

[Shiv78]

Just now, NoLoMo said:

So far these two are the ones I looked at: the Inspiron 15 7000 i7-7700HQ, 8GM DDR4 w/ 1TB HDD, GTX 150Ti, and MSI GL62M 7RD-056 i7-7700HQ, 16GB DDR4 1TB HDD.

Get the Dell, it has the better GPU. Although it has less RAM, that is easily upgradeable later, and you can pop in an M.2 SSD later as well.

[Not_Sean]

5 minutes ago, Wedsea040 said:

I see, but if OP wants power they really shouldn't be looking at U or M CPU's. HQ and HK CPU's are going to be the powerful quad cores that get stuff done.

Yip completely agree. But in truth if he wants to stream buy a gaming laptop and than get a USB streaming box that will take all the load off the CPU, the AVerMedia Game Capture HD II could be a option. 

Mainly if you want a laptop and to stream you'll need to find a way to get as much load off the CPU as possible since you don't have a ton to split between both. 

Agree Dell is the better option in this case, BUT dont forget with great power comes great noise. My MSI Apache gets loud with prolonged heavy use. Could be a pain if you trying to stream and the mic is just picking up fan

[Not_Sean]

Just now, Wedsea040 said:

Go with the Dell. They make a quality product and I love my Dell laptop. Super easy to upgrade, graphics are good, and the price is hard to beat.

I've always used Dell at my last job (Was running Servers for Audi) and love them, but did find Lenovo a solid option, they built on the same assembly line and rock solid, just never very good looking but they do come a bit cheaper if OP is grabbing capture cards and other streaming gear. 

[NoLoMo]

Just now, Not_Sean said:

I've always used Dell at my last job (Was running Servers for Audi) and love them, but did find Lenovo a solid option, they built on the same assembly line and rock solid, just never very good looking but they do come a bit cheaper if OP is grabbing capture cards and other streaming gear. 

Which Lenovo option would be best?

 

[Damascus]

20 minutes ago, NoLoMo said:

Say I want to run OBS while recording say SMITE at 720p, at medium to high settings. Should i go for a i7 or would an i5 work as well?

 

You want an HQ i7/i5, avoid the U i7/i5 like the plague

Also, make sure you have a GPU (1050. 1050 ti etc)

[Pendragon]

1 minute ago, NoLoMo said:

Which Lenovo option would be best?

 

 

y520

[Not_Sean]

1 minute ago, NoLoMo said:

Which Lenovo option would be best?

 

What are your options ? all comes down to what you can get in your country and how much you prepared to spend

[Not_Sean]

2 minutes ago, Pendragon said:

y520

that's a great option, and do my eye's deceive me.. lenovo made a decent looking laptop, Praise the Spaghetti monster ! ! 

[Pendragon]

Just now, Not_Sean said:

that's a great option, and do my eye's deceive me.. lenovo made a decent looking laptop, Praise the Spaghetti monster ! ! 

You missed last gen's Y700. I think that looked better. 

[genexis_x]

2 minutes ago, Not_Sean said:

that's a great option, and do my eye's deceive me.. lenovo made a decent looking laptop, Praise the Spaghetti monster ! ! 

I have the Y520 and it is great in almost all aspects! Good display, good keyboard, good sound, good temperatures, good gaming performance etc.

[NoLoMo]

9 minutes ago, Not_Sean said:

What are your options ? all comes down to what you can get in your country and how much you prepared to spend

Well being in California, I get all the perks of being in the US and having so many taxes. I want to set budget at 900, but I am willing to spend 1K if there is a better option at 1K. As far as weight, I am not concerned it will spend most of its time on a desk as a desktop replacement.

[Pendragon]

Just now, NoLoMo said:

Well being in California, I get all the perks of being in the US and having so many taxes. I want to set budget at 900, but I am willing to spend 1K if there is a better option at 1K. As far as weight, I am not concerned it will spend most of its time on a desk as a desktop replacement.

 

This is great then. https://www.amazon.com/Acer-Aspire-Gaming-GeForce-VX5-591G-75RM/dp/B01N12YZ7B/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1490666516&sr=8-2&keywords=dell+7567

[Pendragon]

@NoLoMo https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154446 courtesy of @Galm I think this would be a better option. For pure performance reasons.

[genexis_x]

2 minutes ago, NoLoMo said:

Well being in California, I get all the perks of being in the US and having so many taxes. I want to set budget at 900, but I am willing to spend 1K if there is a better option at 1K. As far as weight, I am not concerned it will spend most of its time on a desk as a desktop replacement.

If you can spend 1k, the MSI GP62MVR gives you the best performance

[Not_Sean]

6 minutes ago, Pendragon said:

@NoLoMo https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834154446 courtesy of @Galm I think this would be a better option. For pure performance reasons.

We Have a winner, That laptop would be perfect, Its same as my MSI Apache and I've had a fantastic time on mine, and mines a 860M not a 1060! I might consider that one for a upgrade  

[ramo55]

On 28/03/2017 at 2:23 AM, Wedsea040 said:

CPU's with HQ or HK are going to be more powerful and more suited to gaming and heavy workloads.

 

CPU's with U or M are going to be more for power savings and portability, and are geared more for web browsing.

 

Pentium is worst, then it goes i3, i5, and i7 usually being the best.

 

How is your dell inspiron getting a long? Any complaints?

[ramo55]

1 minute ago, Wedsea040 said:

Awesome, I have upgraded it alot, and it is still strong. Great cooling and overclocking potential, along with lots of power.

 

The only thing putting me off the dell is the 960m, I don't want to buy it then regret getting it if you know what I mean because you can probably pickup one for the same price that has a 1050ti

[ramo55]

Just now, Wedsea040 said:

They are super cheap now used, what games in particular are you looking at playing?

Right now, I play mostly gta 5, league of legends, overwatch, csgo. I don't need to run these games at max settings, medium/high is good for me if it means I'll save a good amount of money. I'd also like to be able some other casual games such as the division, forza and the crew. Again, I don't need to be running them at full.