Intel Core i3 vs. i5 vs. i7: Which One Do You Really Need?

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The processor is the brain of a computer — but understanding the difference between processors requires a lot of brainpower of your own!

Intel hasn’t made it any easier for customers with their strange naming schemes, and the question we get asked most often is: What’s the difference between an i3, i5, or i7 processor? Which one should I buy?  It’s time to demystify that. In this article, we won’t be touching on Intel’s other processors like the Pentium series or the new laptop-centric Core M series. They’re good in their own right, but the Core series is the most popular and confusing, so let’s just focus on that.