The difference between Intel Core i7 and Intel Core M can be explained under various aspects, such as the performance, power consumption, usage, etc. Intel recently introduced the fifth generation of core processor, and the first fifth-generation processor they unveiled was the core M series processor. These M series processors consume a very less amount of power where the heat dissipation is so low that it can work even fanless. So, this is targeted for mobile devices. Core i7, on the other hand, is much more powerful than the M series, but the cost and the power dissipation is also high. Core i7 appeared from the first generation of core processors and now the fifth generation also has come. In core i7, there are desktop editions as well as mobile editions.
Intel Core M Review – Features of Intel Core M Processors
Intel Core M is a latest processor series introduced by Intel just a few months ago. Few months ago Intel introduced fifth-generation processors that comprise the 14nm Broadwell architecture and the first processor they introduced under fifth generation was a core M series processor. Core M is so new that this series is not available under previous generations such as 3rd and 4th generations. Core M is targeted to be used in mobile devices where the power consumption is expected to be minimal for better battery life and heat dissipation minimal to easily cool. The thermal design power of Core M processors are about 4.5W. This is a so small value that these processors would work even without fans. Also, the processor die is very small and thin that the devices that make use of the core M processors can be made very slimmer. When the performance is considered core M does not have that much performance as a core i series processors, but when compared with an Intel Atom processor this is better. Also, the price of a core M series processor lies in between where it is less costly than an i series processor but more costly than an Atom processor. All current Core M series processors have a cache memory of 4 MB. The turbo boost maximum attainable speed is from 2 GHz to 2.9 GHz. The specific value depends on the exact model. The number of cores is two and each core has two threads. The instruction set is 64 bit, and a maximum of 16 GB of memory is supported.
Intel Core M is targeted to be used in mobile devices
Intel Core i7 Review – Features of Intel Core i7 Processors
Intel Core i7 is the most powerful processor in the core i series processors designed by Intel. Core i7 processors were introduced several years ago in the first-generation core processors. From then on it was the most powerful Intel desktop processor. Now fifth-generation i7 processors also have come. Intel i7 processors have several models where some are targeted for laptops and some are for desktops. All i7 processors under the fifth generation are mobile processors and the desktop processors for 5th generation have not been released yet. These fifth-generation i7 mobile processors have two cores where there are two threads per each. The cache memory is 4 MB and the maximum frequency of certain processor models can go as high as 3.40 GHz. The power dissipation is high where the thermal design power of most models are at 15W while some are high as 28W. When 4th generation is considered, there are much powerful desktop processors. For example, i7 -5960X Processor Extreme Edition is one of the most powerful desktop processors out there in the current market. Its cache memory is 20 MB. The processor frequency can go up to 3.5 GHz and if necessary can be overclocked as well. The number of cores is eight and, with two threads per each, there is a total of 16 threads. A maximum of 64 GB memory is supported. But, the power dissipation is high where the thermal design power is 140W.
What is the difference between Intel Core i7 and Intel Core M?
• Core M series processors consume less power that are targeted for mobile devices. Core i7 processors consume more power and there are different editions for desktops and laptops as well.
• Core i7 processors are more powerful than core M processors. i7 processors can go to a higher frequency and may have high number of cores and cache.
• Core M series appeared in the fifth-generation of core processors. But i7 processors are coming from the first generation of processors, and now, fifth -generation i7 processors also are there.
• In core M series, there is no desktop edition processor. But, in i7, there is a desktop edition as well as a mobile edition.
• The price of an i7 processor is higher than the price of a core M processor.
• Core M series processors may not need a fan for cooling. But, for i7 processors, a proper fan is mandatory for cooling.
• Core M series processors have just two cores with two threads per each. But certain higher editions of i7 processors have even eight cores with two threads per each.
• The maximum memory supported by core M series is 16 GB. But certain higher models of i7 support even 64 GB of memory.
Summary:
Intel Core i7 vs Intel Core M
Core M series is designed to be used in mobile devices. It is a very small processor with very less power dissipation as low as 4.5W. Even fans are not necessary to cool the M series processors. Core i7, on the other hand, is much powerful than the core M series. But its power dissipation is high and hence a fan is mandatory for cooling. When the cost is considered, core i7 processors are much high. In core i7, there are several editions where certain are designed to be used on laptops while others are for desktops. So if battery life and the portability are the important factors, one should select core M series processors. If the performance is the important factor core i7 must be selected.
Images Courtesy:
- Intel Core M via Intel
- Intel Core i7-920 by Alan Lorenzo (CC BY-SA 3.0)