Choosing the Right CPU

Introduction

Often referred to as the “brain” of a computer, the Central Processing Unit (CPU) plays a critical role in any computer’s performance. CPUs manage data processing, perform complex calculations, and coordinate the flow of information between system components.

Given the CPU’s importance, buyers may instinctively opt for the most powerful processor available, assuming that more power equals better performance. However, choosing a CPU that aligns with the specific needs of your project can result in a leaner, more cost-effective system that is still perfectly capable of handling the task at hand.

In this article we will take a look at Core i3, i5, and i7 processors from Intel, highlighting the benefits of choosing a CPU that matches your needs without wasting money and energy on an over-powered device.

Key Considerations

Before we get into the specifics of different processor models, let’s talk about some key considerations that can make an over-powered system a less attractive proposition.

1. Cost of Ownership

Beyond the initial purchase price, consider the total cost of ownership. High-end CPUs not only cost more upfront but also tend to consume more power and generate more heat, leading to higher operating costs. For many industrial applications, a low or mid-range CPU may offer the best balance of performance and cost, delivering sufficient power without excessive waste.

2. Energy Efficiency

Selecting a CPU that matches the demands of your system can minimize power consumption, reducing both energy costs and the environmental footprint of your operations. CPUs designed for industrial use often include features that optimize power usage, especially during idle or low-demand periods.

3. Cooling Requirements

Heat management is essential to ensure reliable operation in industrial environments. High-performance CPUs generate more heat, requiring robust cooling solutions that can add complexity and cost to your system. Anyone who has had to manage heat dispersion for a cramped enclosure in a high-temp environment knows how problematic this can be. Selecting a CPU with lower heat output simplifies cooling requirements, enhances system reliability, and can extend the lifespan of your equipment.

4. Diminishing Returns

As you move up the CPU performance ladder, the returns in processing power diminish relative to the increase in cost. Understanding where additional performance no longer provides meaningful benefits can help you find a good balance and avoid over-investing in unnecessary processing power.

System Requirements

Choosing the right CPU requires a thorough understanding the specific demands of your control system. CPUs come in a range of performance levels, from entry-level models to high-end processors capable of handling complex computations. To make the best choice, you must thoroughly assess the role the CPU will play in your system.

Basic Control and Monitoring

For simple tasks like monitoring sensor data, controlling basic processes, or running user interfaces, an entry-level CPU such as an Intel® i3 may be sufficient. These processors offer enough power for light workloads while keeping power consumption and heat generation low.

Intermediate Control and Data Processing

For systems that require advanced control logic, real-time data processing, or complex automation tasks, a mid-range CPU like the Intel® i5 provides a good balance of performance and efficiency. These processors can handle moderate to heavy workloads without the need for excessive power or cooling solutions.

Advanced Control and Extreme Performance

For extremely heavy computation for advanced robotics or machine learning, a higher-end CPU like the Intel® i7 may be necessary. These processors offer the highest levels of performance but come with increased costs, power consumption, and heat output.

Comparison

So how exactly do these chips stack up next to each other? The following table highlights some of the specific differences between select 8th gen Intel® Core™ Series CPUs:

A few things stand out in the table above. Incremental improvements are made to the CPU components moving from the basic i3 series up to the more advanced i7 models, but you may notice that these performance improvements become less pronounced when comparing the i5 processors to the i7s, while the cost goes up significantly between them.

Benchmark Scores

Note that the i3 processor has the best benchmark score for single threaded processes in this group, due to its higher base frequency. For multithreaded processes, the i5 benchmark shows a significant improvement over the i3, while the i7 offers a relatively small upgrade over the i5.

For detailed information on CPU benchmark scores and more, please visit the Passmark Software CPU Benchmarks page.

Price to Performance Ratio

The recommended customer pricing shown in the table reveals more about the relationship between CPU price and performance. Between the i3 and i5 models, a moderate price increase corresponds with twice as many cores and threads, and a 50% increase in cache size. This results in a massive improvement to performance for a reasonable increase in cost.

However, when comparing the i5 to the i7 the cost-to-performance ratio is notably diminished. Each have the same number of cores and threads, with a modest 30% improvement to cache size and a marginal improvement in base frequency for the i7. For a whopping $116 price increase, this may only make sense for extreme cases that need the highest processing power available.

CPU Properties

To better understand the comparison between these models, it helps to know how features like cache, cores, and threads contribute to processing power. Here is a quick rundown of what these terms mean:

• Clock Speed (Frequency): Measured in gigahertz (GHz), this indicates how many cycles a CPU can execute per second. Higher CPU clock speeds generally improve performance, especially for single-threaded tasks. CPU clock speed is like the tempo of a song—the faster the tempo, the quicker each note is played, but the overall quality of the performance depends on more than just speed.
• Cache: This is the CPU’s memory, which stores frequently used data for quick access. Larger caches can lead to faster data processing, but may have little noticeable impact when performing simple tasks.
• Cores: The number of independent physical processing units within the CPU that read and execute program instructions. Each CPU core can run a thread of it’s own, allowing for multiple tasks to run simultaneously on a multi-core CPU. More cores can mean better multitasking, but single cores are less expensive and may consume less power.
• Threads: Virtual versions of CPU cores, allowing for handling of multiple tasks. Each thread represents a sequence of instructions that can be executed independently by the CPU, allowing for more efficient multitasking and parallel processing.
• Multithreading: Allows the CPU to split tasks into separate threads so that they can be executed in parallel, enhancing processing speed. Multithreading is particularly useful when a computer needs to run several tasks simultaneously, but will have no impact on single-threaded tasks.

CPU Naming Conventions

Finding the perfect CPU to match your needs requires knowledge of processor models and how they compare to each other. The model designations used by CPU manufacturers can provide a basic framework for understanding what a chip is capable of. Ideally, a buyer could look at the model name and number to quickly determine if a chip is right for their needs.

In reality it may be more complicated than that, as an i5 from a newer generation could conceivably outperform an older i7 due to improvements made to the architecture across generations. To cut through some of the confusion, let’s break down the naming convention used for Intel® Core™ Series CPUs, up to and including 14th gen models.

Brand

The brand refers to the overall family of processors. In this case, Intel’s Core™ series, which includes the i3, i5, i7, and i9 lines, represents the most common processors for consumer and industrial PCs.

Brand Modifier

The brand modifier helps differentiate the processors within the same brand family. Intel uses the following series within the Core brand:

• i3 Series: Designed for basic tasks with lower power consumption and sufficient performance for general computing needs.
• i5 Series: Offers a balance between performance and power efficiency, suitable for more complex tasks like real-time data processing and intermediate control applications.
• i7 Series: Targets high-performance computing, suitable for demanding applications such as complex automation tasks, simulations, and extremely high-end systems.

Processor Number

The processor number typically consists of four or five digits, including the suffix, and indicates the product’s generation and performance tier.

Generation

The first digit (or first two digits in more recent models) represents the generation of the processor. For instance, in Intel® Core™ i5-8265U, the number “8” indicates that this is an 8th-generation processor.

SKU

The subsequent digits after the generation indicate the SKU, which helps differentiate between processors within the same generation. Higher numbers generally indicate higher performance within that generation, but the specific features (such as core count and clock speed) must be considered for accurate comparisons.

Suffix

Intel® uses suffixes to indicate special features or capabilities of the processor. Some common suffixes include:

• U: Ultra-low power, typically used in mobile devices or energy-efficient PCs.
• K: Unlocked for overclocking, allowing users to push the CPU beyond its base speed with appropriate cooling and power.
• T: Optimized for lower power consumption, ideal for systems where energy efficiency is critical.
• F: Requires a discrete graphics card, as it lacks integrated graphics.
• H: High-performance graphics, often found in laptops.

Conclusion

Choosing the right CPU requires a careful balance of performance, cost efficiency, power consumption, and heat management. By understanding your project needs and evaluating how CPU models align with them, you can make an informed decision that maximizes performance. Whether you’re designing a basic system or a high-performance application, selecting the right CPU ensures that your system operates efficiently.

Please visit our product pages for more information on Maple Systems’ wide range of Industrial PCs.