What is better core i3 8GB RAM or core i5 4GB RAM? Intel processors all follow a naming process; it’s either a core i3, core i5, core i7, and now, the company has also introduced a core i9. Now, when you go to buy a computer or a laptop, you are going to find several models in the market with different specifications. There are certain models that have a bigger processor, while others have more RAM. The problem is that unless you have a very high budget, you simply can’t buy one that gives you the best of both worlds.
Thankfully, the chances are high that you don’t even need the best of both worlds. Most people buy computers or laptops for specific purposes, and they want to use them for particular applications. So, which one is better, core i3 with 8 GB of RAM, or a core i5 with 4 GB RAM? While it may seem like a pretty simple question, it’s actually not. Before answering the question, it’s important to note the difference between RAM and processing power.
What Is RAM?
The random access memory (RAM) in your computer is designed to improve the computer’s ability to multitask. If you run multiple programs on your computer simultaneously, you will need more RAM. Taxing and heavy programs are often difficult to use freely because of limited RAM. The RAM stores information temporarily to keep the program running smoothly. Once the program has been closed completely, the information is removed from the computer altogether.
The biggest benefit that you get for upgrading the RAM in your computer is that it will not bog down the memory when you run several heavy-duty programs at once. For instance, Google Chrome, the browser, consumes quite a bit of RAM. Other programming tools, and Photoshop as well, are going to take up a considerable amount of RAM. If you have lots of RAM, you can simply keep a check on its usage. More importantly, it will allow you to move back and forth with minimal hassle.
For example, if a program is using 1 GB of RAM, it’s not going to matter much for you if you have around 4 or even 8 GB of RAM. But, if you are using around 8 to 10 applications that use 1 GB each, you are going to have to boost your RAM to at least 16 or 32 GB for smooth performance. Keep in mind that these programs must be running simultaneously to use up the RAM if you close one program and start another, the RAM will be cleaned out and you will have space available as well.
So, What About Cores?
Intel’s branding team uses the Core name because it indicates the number of cores in each of their processors. The Core i3 processors all have two cores, whereas the core i5 series has four cores. The core i7 processors then, as you can guess, have 6 cores. Now, having a core i5 processor, which has four cores, gives you a considerable processing boost over two cores when using heavy applications, such as software for 3D rendering.
Dual core processors are often clocked faster than quad core processors, primarily because the more cores there are, the more power the system will consume, and ultimately, the more heat it is going to release. But, there are certain other elements that you need to know about.
Hyper Threading – What Is it?
One of the words that you might hear every now and then is hyper threading. Hyper threading, for those who don’t know, is a process that uses the resources of your processor much more efficiently. It’s a performance feature that greatly improves overall performance and is best applied to applications and heavy-duty programs. Simply put, hyper threading can be used to push lighter tasks running in the background on one core, whereas heavy programs and procedures can be pushed onto other cores.
At the end of the day, one core can only serve one thread, so, if you have a dual core processor, it’s only capable of serving two threads at once. But, with hyper threading, a single core is capable of serving multiple cores at once. However, you need to understand that quad core processors do not support hyper threading, so they are able to serve just as many threads as a core i3 processor.
Cache
Another important thing that you need to know is the cache. The core i3 processors have a 4b MB cache memory, whereas the i5 has 6 MB. If the CPU finds that it’s using the same information again and again, it stores that information on the cache for quicker access. It’s just like RAM, but it’s considerably faster. Without the cache, the CPU will just have to read the information again and again. A bigger cache obviously means that the computer is able to store more information, which ultimately means faster performance in the long run.
Turbo Boost
Lastly, there’s the turbo boost. Core i3 processors don’t really have turbo boost, whereas the core i5 processors do have it. This allows for a boost in the clock speed of the processor and makes it punch well above its weight.
What Is Better Core i3 8GB RAM Or Core i5 4GB RAM?
Now that you know all of the different technological elements that go into a CPU, which one of these do you think is a better choice? The answer: it depends. If you want to run heavy-duty programs that are going to draw up a lot of processing power, like 3D rendering applications or video editing tools, a core i5/4GB configuration might be the best choice for you.
But, if you want to run multiple programs at once and want to streamline multitasking as much as you can, then you should consider going for a core i3 with 8 GB of RAM. The greater RAM will make it easy for you to multitask without any issue whatsoever, though you won’t be able to run heavy-duty programs with the same efficiency.
