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What i5 Gen is Good for Gaming in 2023?

What range i5 processors do we currently offer?


10th Generation CPU

We currently offer the following 10th Generation i5 Gaming CPU options:

Intel Core i5 10400 CPU

  • 6 Cores - 12 Hyper Threads
  • 2.9GHz Frequency (4.34GHz Turbo Frequency)
  • 1.5mb L2 Cache - 12mb L3 Cache

Intel Core i5 10600K CPU

  • 6 Cores - 12 Hyper Threads
  • 4.1GHz Frequency (4.8GHz Turbo Frequency)
  • 1.5mb L2 Cache - 12mb L3 Cache
  • Overclockable

 

11th Generation CPU

We currently offer the following 11th Generation CPU options:

Intel Core i5 11400 CPU

  • 6 Cores - 12 Hyper Threads
  • 2.6GHz Frequency (4.4GHz Turbo Frequency)
  • 3mb L2 Cache - 12mb L3 Cache

Intel Core i5 11600K CPU

  • 6 Cores - 12 Hyper Threads
  • 3.9GHz Frequency (4.9GHz Turbo Frequency)
  • 3mb L2 Cache - 12mb L3 Cache
  • Overclockable

 

12th Generation CPU

We currently offer the following 12th Generation i5 CPU options:

Intel Core i5 12400 CPU

  • 6 Cores - 12 Hyper Threads
  • 2.5GHz Frequency (4.4GHz Turbo Frequency)
  • 7.5mb L2 Cache - 18mb L3 Cache

Intel Core i5 12600K CPU

  • 6 Cores - 12 Hyper Threads
  • 3.7GHz Frequency (4.9GHz Turbo Frequency)
  • 7.5mb L2 Cache - 20mb L3 Cache
  • Overclockable

 

What is the latest generation of Intel i5 available?


12th Generation Intel

The latest generation of Intel i5 is the 12th Generation. This generation was released in 2020 and includes a number of new features and improvements over previous generations. Some of the new features in the 12th Generation include:

- A new microarchitecture called "Sunny Cove"

- Support for DDR4-3200 memory

- Intel Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0

- Intel Optane Memory support

- Intel Ultra HD Graphics 630


What are the differences between the latest generations of Intel i5?


10th Generation vs 11th Generation Intel

The 10th Generation offers the best value for money, because they are now a couple of years old, and newer generations have been released, they have dropped in price,so make an attractive option if your budget is tight. The 11th generation of Intel processors are a later release and offer significant performance improvements over the previous 10th generation. Some of the key differences between the two generations include:

- The 11th generation uses a new microarchitecture called Willow Cove while the 10th generation used Skylake.

- The 11th generation has higher clock speeds than the 10th generation, meaning that it can perform tasks more quickly.

- The 11th generation has a new feature called Turbo Boost Max 3.0 which allows the processor to reach even higher clock speeds for short periods of time when needed.

- The 11th generation supports PCI Express 4.0 while the 10th generation only supported PCI Express 3.0. This means that data can be transferred more quickly between the processor and other components in your computer. It allows for the use of faster SSD drives.

In general, the 11th generation of Intel processors is faster and more powerful than the previous 10th generation. If you are looking to buy a new computer, you should look for one with an 11th generation processor for the best price/performance balance.


11th Generation vs 12th Generation Intel

The 11th Generation Intel® Core™ processors deliver significant performance improvements over the previous generation. The 12th Generation Intel® Core™ processors build upon that success with even more performance gains.

Some of the key differences between the 11th and 12th Generation Intel® Core™ processors include:

- The 12th Generation Intel® Core™ processors offer up to a 19% increase in multi-core performance over the previous generation.

- The 12th Generation Intel® Core™ processors offer up to a 2.7 GHz clock speed, which is the fastest of any Intel processor.

- The 12th Generation Intel® Core™ processors offer a new power management architecture that delivers better power efficiency and increased battery life.

 


What year were the different generations of i5 released?

1st generation – 2006

2nd generation – 2009

3rd generation – 2012

4th generation – 2013

5th generation – 2014

6th generation – 2015

7th generation – 2017

8th generation – 2017

9th generation – 2018

10th generation – 2020

11th generation – 2021

12th generation – 2021

 


What are the drawbacks of choosing an older generation i5?


Less Cores

There are a few drawbacks to choosing an older generation i5 for gaming in 2023. One is that older generations may have less cores than newer generations of processors, so you may not be able to run the latest games on highest settings. I5 CPU before the 8th generation only run 4 cores and 4 threads. 8th and 9th Generation run 6 cores and 6 threads, 10th, 11thand 12th all run 6 cores and 12 threads.. Those cores and threads can make a huge difference tooverallperformance.


Lower clock speeds

One of the key drawbacks of opting for an older generation i5 processor is that its clock speeds are lower compared to the latest models. This can have a significant impact on overall performance, particularly if you are running resource-intensive applications or games. Another downside is that you may not be able to take advantage of the latest features and technologies available on newer processors. Finally, older i5 processors may not be compatible with the latest motherboards and other components, which can limit your upgrade options down the line.


More heat generation

Drawbacks of choosing an older generation i5 can include more heat generation. More heat is generated because the processor is working harder to complete tasks. This can cause the processor to throttle, or slow down, to prevent damaging itself. Older generation i5 processors may also have lower clock speeds than newer models, meaning they may not be able to keep up with demanding tasks as well as their newer counterparts.


Lower resale value

There are a few drawbacks to choosing an older generation i5 over a newer one. One is that the resale value may be lower. Newer generations of processors tend to be more in demand, so if you're looking to upgrade or sell your processor in the future, you may get less money for an older generation i5. So if you're looking for the best possible performance, you'll want to choose a newer generation i5.


So what i5 gen is good for gaming in 2023?

Any of the newer generations from the 10th, 11th or 12th Intel i5 CPU are good for gaming, which one will depend mainly on your budget and what level you want to play games.

If you're looking for a processor that can handle 4K gaming or virtual reality, you'll want to look at the newest 12th generation of processors. The i5 10th gen is also a good choice if you're looking for a processor that's more affordable, and the 11th is a good middle ground between the value for money 10th, and the expensive but faster 12th generation..

Because the 12th Generation are the newest of the Intel CPU, they are also priced at a premium, also they work on newer motherboards, and are capable of working with DDR5 memory if you pair them with a Z690 motherboard. ALL of this comes a a cost, so unless you need the newest and fastest, then your money would be better spent on the 10th or 11th generation i5.

 

Check out our Intel Core i5 Gaming PCs

 

Still not sure what i5 Gen is good for gaming in 2023, an other option is whether you should buy an i5 or i7 for gaming in 2023.