Comparing the Intel i3 6th generation (Skylake) and Intel i5 4th generation (Haswell) involves looking at various aspects such as core count, clock speed, architecture improvements, and power efficiency. Here’s a breakdown of the differences:
1. Architecture
- i3 6th Gen (Skylake):
- Built on the Skylake architecture (14nm process).
- Offers improved power efficiency and performance compared to Haswell.
- Supports DDR4 RAM (in addition to DDR3), which provides better memory bandwidth.
- i5 4th Gen (Haswell):
- Based on the older Haswell architecture (22nm process).
- Generally uses DDR3 memory.
2. Cores and Threads
- i3 6th Gen:
- Typically dual-core with Hyper-Threading (2 cores, 4 threads).
- Hyper-Threading improves multitasking capabilities, though it doesn’t offer the same performance as more physical cores.
- i5 4th Gen:
- Quad-core without Hyper-Threading (4 cores, 4 threads).
- More physical cores, which generally results in better multi-core performance for tasks like gaming and productivity applications that can take advantage of them.
3. Clock Speed
- i3 6th Gen:
- Typically slightly higher base clock speeds.
- However, it lacks Turbo Boost technology, meaning it won’t dynamically overclock under load.
- i5 4th Gen:
- Usually has slightly lower base clock speeds but includes Turbo Boost, allowing the CPU to temporarily overclock to higher frequencies when needed.
4. Integrated Graphics
- i3 6th Gen:
- Equipped with Intel HD Graphics 520, which is a more modern and slightly better-performing integrated GPU compared to the i5 4th gen’s iGPU.
- i5 4th Gen:
- Has Intel HD Graphics 4600, which is older and slightly less powerful than the i3 6th gen’s integrated GPU.
5. Power Consumption
- i3 6th Gen:
- Built on a more power-efficient 14nm process, meaning it generally consumes less power and produces less heat.
- i5 4th Gen:
- Built on a 22nm process, meaning it may be slightly less power-efficient compared to the i3 6th gen.
6. Performance Considerations
- i3 6th Gen:
- Better for tasks that benefit from higher single-core performance or when power efficiency is a priority.
- Adequate for lighter multitasking, basic computing tasks, and light gaming.
- i5 4th Gen:
- Better for multi-core workloads like gaming, video editing, and applications that can utilize all four physical cores.
- Overall, this would be the better choice for more demanding tasks that need more cores, even if it is on an older architecture.
Conclusion:
- i3 6th Gen is more efficient and modern but lacks the raw multi-core power of the i5 4th gen.
- i5 4th Gen is generally better for multi-core-intensive tasks (gaming, content creation), but the i3 6th gen might be better for basic computing and energy efficiency.
The choice depends on your specific workload: if you need multi-core power, go with the i5; for better efficiency and modern features, the i3 6th Gen is a good option.