Intel is confusing.

[Real_ThatGuy123]

So I want to buy an Intel CPU, but I'm VERY confused. If the i3-10100f is $100 and has 3.6GHz, why is the i7-10700 $250 and have 2.9GHz? Also I need to get a motherboard, but the number are confusing. I know what the letters are, but not the numbers. Can someone tell me what the CPU and motherboard numbers mean?

 

Edit: I mean the numbers on the motherboard.

Edited April 14, 2021 by LEGOGuy123

[mahyar]

when was the last time you bought a cpu?

and why intel?

 

[mahyar]

in 10th gen

i3 has 4 hyperthreaded cores

i5 6 hyperthreaded cores

i7 8 hyperthreaded cores

i9 10 hyperthreaded cores

clock speed is different with models 

 

[Zmimgo]

This will only apply to the desktop Intel Core i-series CPUs.

 

The number after the i, which are i3, i5, i7 and i9, is what the tier of the CPU. Rocket Lake (11th gen) has i3 as 4 cores, i5 as 6 cores and i7 & i9 as 8 cores. On Comet Lake (10th gen) i9 means 10 cores.

 

The numbers after the hyphen is the generation and the model number. The numbers that we would call worth thousand and more is the generation. 11xxx means 11th gen, 10xxx means 10th gen and 9xxx means 9th gen, etc. The first generation Core i-series CPUs don't have a number worth a thousand.

 

The last 3 numbers signify the model number. That is one part where I would normally skip.

 

On some SKUs, there will be letters after the numbers.

 

K = Unlocked, can be overclocked

 

F = No integrated graphics

[Zmimgo]

There is more to choosing a CPU than the clock speed. You will have to find the balance between budget, core count, clock speed and TDP.

 

For example, the i3-10100F has no integrated graphics, and only 4 cores. It isn't unlocked (no K) and because it only has 4 cores it has a lower usage of power, lower heat output and higher clock speed PER CORE.

 

The i7-10700 is also a locked CPU (no K), but it has integrated graphics (doesn't have the F letter). SInce it has 8 cores, it will draw more power and output more heat, and will have a lower clock speed PER CORE.

 

The clock speed is per core, not the whole CPU.

[Zmimgo]

1 hour ago, LEGOGuy123 said:

Edit: I mean the numbers on the motherboard.

bruh

When you shop for motherboards, the main thing that will set them apart is the chipset. With Intels Current Gen Core i-series compatible motherboards, they will start with either H, B or Z.

The First and last number is the generation. A Z490 motherboard is newer than a Z390 motherboard. A Z170 motherboard is newer than a Z97 motherboard. It's confusing, but you'll get it eventually.

The middle second number from the left and the letter make up the tier of the chipset, H and 1 as the lowest end, B and 5 or 6 for mid tier, H and 7 as a little higher tier and Z an 7 or 9 as high end. The Z-series feature overclocking support and most PCI-e lanes, H and 7-series with a little bit more PCI-e lanes, B-series offer a little bit more features and the H and 1-series as the lowest end with the least features.

Important note is that the newest B560 and H570 motherboard are the only non Z-series motherboards that support memory overclocking (XMP). The B-series will continue to be my recommendation, as most people won't overclock their CPUs but don't want the worst chipset.

Also important is that the chipset is only the part with a letter and 2 or 3 numbers after the letter. Things like Z490M mean Z490 chipset, with the M meaning the microATX form factor. Z490-I or simular means Z490 chipset in an ITX form factor. ASUS has some really confusing naming, such as Z490-F. The F is just the model number, not the chipset.

This is only for Intels Core i-series, from 1st gen Core i to 11th gen Core i.

[SupaKomputa]

5 hours ago, LEGOGuy123 said:

Intel CPU, but I'm VERY confused

Their mission is to confuse you, so mission successful.

[Mister Woof]

Baseclock is pretty much meaningless