Processors
Intel® Processors, Tools, and Utilities
14404 Discussions

Picking the right CPU

idata
Employee
1,791 Views

Hello, I am looking to upgrade to the latest generation of i7 CPU. Having a hard time selecting the right one. In addition to day to day work stuff I will use the PC for gaming and will use a dedicated video card. So how can I tell which CPUs have built in graphics, I am assuming I do not need this feature when using a dedicated video card, is that correct? Are CPUs with graphic capabilities more expensive that those without? Also I am assuming that a CPU without graphics and a dedicated Video card will give me the best graphics perfiormance, is that correct?

Thanks for all the help!

0 Kudos
4 Replies
Adolfo_S_Intel2
Employee
477 Views

In order to determine if an Intel Core i7 3rd generation processor supports embedded graphics or not please check this link:

http://ark.intel.com/products/family/65506/3rd-Generation-Intel-Core-i7-Processors/desktop http://ark.intel.com/products/family/65506/3rd-Generation-Intel-Core-i7-Processors/desktop

from the above link you can even compare multiple processors side by side to determine the one that fits your personal needs.

To find the same information about any other Intel processor, please check the following website:

http://ark.intel.com/ http://ark.intel.com/

I can tell you that the Intel graphics controller will support all the available games in the market, however, if you need a dedicated graphics card or not, that is up to you.

You might want to check with an Authorized Intel® Distributor for further recommendations:

You can find a list of Authorized Intel® Distributors at:

https://www-ssl.intel.com/p/en_US/techprovider/contentns?docid=493983 https://www-ssl.intel.com/p/en_US/techprovider/contentns?docid=493983

Pricing on Intel processors with graphics controller is very similar to the ones with no graphics controller.

0 Kudos
CQuar
Novice
477 Views

Hello, Bernd -

On the Intel site, the 4th Generation Intel Core datasheets vol 1 sections 2.4 and 2.5 will give you a brief description of the features. One aspect is that like the integrated memory controller you cut down on latency with such approach. Depending upon the resolution, frame rate and GPU performance (polygons, texels/s, etc...), your mileage might vary. There have been a number of reviews and comparisons since the Haswell entry, with most typical games.

One mystery for the moment is achievable color depth, as the output stage of the 7.5 graphics engine is described as capable of "deep color" and another guide states "Bit Color Depth 12bpc DisplayPort, DVI, VGA, SDVD = yes", but Kevin_Intel indicated 32bpp earlier in this community, so if you are concerned about accurate color rendition (rather than sky-banding for instance), I have not seen a definite answer yet.

Kevin_M_Intel
Employee
477 Views

Hi cquarksnow

This has been already clarified on this thread:

/message/200618?tstart=0 https://communities.intel.com/message/200618?tstart=0

0 Kudos
CQuar
Novice
477 Views

The thread at stake refers to 3rd Generation Core, that does not directly feed HDMI, DP or TB2 ports like the 4th Generation Core does, and then gfx engine 7.1 vs gfx engine 7.5

Page 28 of this document shows the 3rd Gen core graphics directed to PCH 6/7:

 

http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/datasheets/3rd-gen-core-desktop-vol-1-datasheet.pdf http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/datasheets/3rd-gen-core-desktop-vol-1-datasheet.pdf

Page 32 of this document shows the 4th Gen core graphics integration, besides a "legacy" option to go to PCH

http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/datasheets/4th-gen-core-family-desktop-vol-1-datasheet.pdf http://www.intel.com/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/datasheets/4th-gen-core-family-desktop-vol-1-datasheet.pdf

This is not to say that the deep color question asked in the thread you mentioned was not legitimate, but in my case I waited long for the 4th Gen Core precisely because of the integrated graphics and the direct path to sink.

As I am doing low frame rates like 24Hz, I am not preoccupied with getting GT3E rather than GT2 and I am displaying at 3840x2160, hoping for 10bpc.

What's interesting is that the control panel shows me that I am at 3840x2160p 24Hz 32bpp, and I don't even need as much ; all I need is 3840x2160p 24Hz 30bpp, but the option of RGB @ 10bits (RGB101010) is not in the configuration utility, as opposed to the ARGB @ 8 bits (32bpp)

0 Kudos
Reply