The best processors for a laptop. Rating of mobile processors for laptops
ARM processor is a mobile processor for smartphones and tablets.
This table shows all currently known ARM processors. The table of ARM processors will be supplemented and upgraded as new models appear. This table uses a conditional system for evaluating CPU and GPU performance. ARM processor performance data was taken from a variety of sources, mainly based on the results of tests such as: PassMark, Antutu, GFXBench.
We do not claim absolute accuracy. Absolutely accurately rank and evaluate the performance of ARM processors impossible, for the simple reason that each of them has advantages in some ways, but in some ways lags behind other ARM processors. The table of ARM processors allows you to see, evaluate and, most importantly, compare different SoCs (System-On-Chip) solutions. Using our table, you can compare mobile processors and it’s enough to find out exactly how the ARM heart of your future (or present) smartphone or tablet is positioned.
Here we have compared ARM processors. We looked at and compared the performance of CPU and GPU in different SoCs (System-on-Chip). But the reader may have several questions: Where are ARM processors used? What is an ARM processor? How does ARM architecture differ from x86 processors? Let's try to understand all this without going too deep into details.
First, let's define the terminology. ARM is the name of the architecture and at the same time the name of the company leading its development. The abbreviation ARM stands for (Advanced RISC Machine or Acorn RISC Machine), which can be translated as: advanced RISC machine. ARM architecture combines a family of both 32 and 64-bit microprocessor cores developed and licensed by ARM Limited. I would like to note right away that the ARM Limited company is exclusively engaged in the development of kernels and tools for them (debugging tools, compilers, etc.), but not in the production of the processors themselves. Company ARM Limited sells licenses for the production of ARM processors to third parties. Here is a partial list of companies licensed to manufacture ARM processors today: AMD, Atmel, Altera, Cirrus Logic, Intel, Marvell, NXP, Samsung, LG, MediaTek, Qualcomm, Sony Ericsson, Texas Instruments, nVidia, Freescale... and many more other.
Some companies that have received a license to produce ARM processors create their own versions of cores based on ARM architecture. Examples include: DEC StrongARM, Freescale i.MX, Intel XScale, NVIDIA Tegra, ST-Ericsson Nomadik, Qualcomm Snapdragon, Texas Instruments OMAP, Samsung Hummingbird, LG H13, Apple A4/A5/A6 and HiSilicon K3.
Today they work on ARM-based processors virtually any electronics: PDA, mobile phones and smartphones, digital players, portable game consoles, calculators, external hard drives and routers. They all contain an ARM core, so we can say that ARM - mobile processors for smartphones and tablets.
ARM processor represents a SoC, or "system on a chip". An SoC system, or “system on a chip,” can contain in one chip, in addition to the CPU itself, the remaining parts of a full-fledged computer. This includes a memory controller, an I/O port controller, a graphics core, and a geopositioning system (GPS). It may also contain a 3G module, as well as much more.
If we consider a separate family of ARM processors, say Cortex-A9 (or any other), it cannot be said that all processors of the same family have the same performance or are all equipped with a GPS module. All these parameters strongly depend on the chip manufacturer and what and how he decided to implement in his product.
What is the difference between ARM and X86 processors?? The RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture itself implies a reduced set of instructions. Which accordingly leads to very moderate energy consumption. After all, inside any ARM chip there are much fewer transistors than its counterpart from the x86 line. Don't forget that in an SoC system all peripheral devices are located inside a single chip, which allows the ARM processor to be even more energy efficient. The ARM architecture was originally designed to calculate only integer operations, unlike x86, which can work with floating point calculations or FPU. It is impossible to clearly compare these two architectures. In some ways, ARM will have an advantage. And somewhere it’s the other way around. If you try to answer the question in one phrase: what is the difference between ARM and X86 processors, then the answer will be this: the ARM processor does not know the number of commands that the x86 processor knows. And those that do know look much shorter. This has both its pros and cons. Be that as it may, lately everything suggests that ARM processors are beginning to slowly but surely catch up, and in some ways even surpass conventional x86 processors. Many openly declare that ARM processors will soon replace the x86 platform in the home PC segment. As we already know, in 2013 several world-famous companies completely abandoned the further production of netbooks in favor of tablet PCs. Well, what will actually happen, time will tell.
We will monitor the ARM processors already available on the market.
Laptops are mobile versions of computers and, in most cases, they have weaker technical characteristics. But that doesn't mean a laptop can't be powerful. Supporters of productive hardware, when buying a laptop, first of all pay attention to what processor is installed in it. But how do you know which processor is best for a laptop? To do this, we have created a rating in which various processors will be compared. With its help you will be able to find out which laptop chipset is the most powerful.
No. 10 – INTEL PENTIUM N5000
The INTEL PENTIUM N5000 processor is a quad-core system announced in late 2017 that operates at 1.1-2.7 GHz. It is built on the Gemini Lake platform. The manufacturing used a 14nm technical process.
There is an integrated graphics adapter, so this processor can be equipped with a laptop without a video card. In addition, there is a built-in Wi-Fi module.
INTEL PENTIUM N5000 is a processor that is not included in the most powerful, but quite advanced devices. If you are going to play new games on your laptop, it is better to avoid models with this chip, but for office work or other simple tasks this is an excellent solution.
#9 – AMD A12 9720P
AMD A12 9720P is a modern low-voltage processor. The device operates at a frequency of 2.7 GHz. Overclocking allows you to increase the frequency to 3.6 GHz. Provides the performance of 4 computing cores, as well as one graphics core. By the way, the graphics here are represented by the Radeon R7 chip.
Optimized manufacturing processes have made it possible to increase clock speeds. Productivity has also increased compared to previous models.
The GPU performance here is average. This figure may vary depending on the amount of RAM used. In most laptop models with this processor, the hardware will be able to handle not the most demanding games.
Overall, this is a good processor for an inexpensive laptop. State-funded devices based on its hardware look more than confident. But you won’t find such a chip in more powerful devices.
No. 8 – AMD Ryzen 3 2200U
AMD Ryzen 3 2200U is, one might say, the standard of entry-class processors. This is what the most decent budget laptops come with.
The built-in RAM controller significantly expands the capabilities of this device.
AMD Ryzen 3 2200U is a mobile APU for thin and light laptops. Compared to the Ryzen 3 2200U, the PRO version offers additional security features.
It includes two Zen cores clocked at 2.5-3.4 GHz and offers SMT (four simultaneous threads) and 4 MB L3 cache.
The integrated graphics card is called Radeon RX Vega 3 and offers only 3 CUs (192 shaders) with a clock speed of up to 1000 MHz. TDP is adjustable between 12 and 25 W (15 W nominal).
No. 7 – Intel Core i3 8130U
The eighth generation Intel Core i3-8130U is a dual-core processor for mid-range laptops. The first generation Core i3 chips are lower mid-range processors, and the i3-8130U is already noticeably faster, so this model is classified as mid-range.
This advancement is possible primarily thanks to Intel TurboBoost technology. TurboBoost allows you to increase the clock speed - in this case from the standard 2.2 GHz to 3.4 GHz, in situations where the computing task requires it.
As for real-world use, the i3-8130U is an excellent solution for everyday computing tasks - web browsing, working in MS Office and other software.
The chipset significantly improves performance even when playing multimedia. When it comes to gaming, the i3-8130U with integrated Intel UHD 620 graphics is only capable of running light games.
But many of the most popular games, such as League of Legends or Minecraft, are not particularly demanding and can run smoothly on a laptop with such a processor.
No. 6 – AMD Ryzen 5 2500U
The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U is a mid-range 64-bit quad-core microprocessor with x86 performance introduced by AMD in late 2017. This processor is based on AMD Zen microarchitecture and manufactured using 14 nm technology.
The 2500U operates at a base frequency of 2GHz with a TDP of 15W and a boost frequency of 3.6GHz. This MPU supports up to 32GB of dual-channel DDR4-2400 memory and includes Radeon Vega 8 graphics clocked at up to 1.1GHz. This model supports configurable 12W TDP output and 25W TDP output.
The AMD Ryzen 5 2500U manages to keep temperatures fairly low. This helps to avoid overheating and, as a result, rapid wear of the device.
A processor of this type indicates that the laptop is a fairly confident middle-class model.
No. 5 – Intel Core i5 8250U
The Intel Core i5-8250U is an energy-efficient quad-core SoC for laptops and ultrabooks. The chip is equipped with four cores, with a frequency of 1.6 GHz. Using Turbo Boost technology, it can reach 3.4 GHz and therefore also offers good short-term single-core speeds.
The GPU is now called Intel UHD Graphics 620, but is otherwise identical to the Intel HD Graphics 620. The integrated memory controller supports DDR4-2400/LPDDR3-2133 and dual-channel memory.
The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 (Intel Gen 9.5) can achieve the performance of the GeForce 920M thanks to fast dual-channel memory.
The chip is manufactured in an advanced 14nm process with FinFET (14nm+) transistors, the same as 7th generation Lake Kaby processors. Intel still features a 15W TDP, which is typical for ULV chips.
Depending on the usage scenario, TDP can vary from 7.5 (cTDP Down) to 25 W.
No. 4 – AMD Ryzen 7 2700U
AMD Ryzen 7 2700U is a mobile SoC that was announced in October 2017. It combines four Zen cores (8 threads) clocked at 2.2 – 3.8 GHz with a Radeon RX Vega 10 graphics card with 10 CUs (640 shaders) clocked at up to 1300 MHz.
The TDP can be configured by the laptop manufacturer from 12 to 25 W (15 W nominal), and therefore the APU is also suitable for thin and light laptops. Integrated dual-channel memory controller supports up to DDR4-2400 memory.
Of all the models that are currently used in modern laptops of any kind, Zen cores have one of the best performance indicators.
So, if a laptop socket is occupied by an AMD Ryzen 7 2700U processor, you can be sure that it is a high-end device.
No. 3 – Intel Core i7-8550U
Whatever we are talking about, in terms of choosing a processor, today Intel Core i7 chips win in absolutely all matters. This line is considered top-end and these are not empty words.
The i7-8550U is a 64-bit quad-core microprocessor with x86 performance developed by Intel in mid-2017. Based on an improved version of the Lake Kaby microarchitecture, this processor is based on the second generation Intel with 14nm+ boost.
The I7-8550U clocks at 1.8GHz with a TDP of 15W and a Turbo Boost frequency of up to 4GHz. This MPU supports up to 32 gigabytes of dual-channel DDR4-2400 memory and includes an Intel UHD Graphics 620 IGP running at 300 MHz with a burst rate of 1.15 GHz.
This model has a configurable 10W TDP output at 800MHz and 25W TDP output at 2GHz.
No. 2 – Intel Core i7-7700HQ
Another variation of the Intel Core i7 took second place. Representatives of the seventh generation are the top solutions for laptops. So the i7-7700HQ is included only in the most expensive laptop models.
This is a quad-core 8-thread processor that runs at a clock speed of 2.8 GHz. In Turbo Boost mode, the chipset accelerates to a clock speed of 3.8 GHz. The cache memory in this model is 6 MB.
The i7-7700HQ is created using a 14 nm technical process, like all models from the line under consideration. The integrated graphics processor is an Intel® HD Graphics 630 chip with a base graphics frequency of 350 MHz.
This is one of the options for a truly top-end laptop. A device with such a processor will be able to run almost all games and will be in no way inferior in power to most personal computers.
No. 1 – Intel Core i7-8750H
The top-end processor for laptops today is the Intel Core i7-8750H. This is a six-core processor running on 12 threads.
The frequency of the processor cores was 2.2 GHz. If you enable the maximum acceleration mode, the clock frequency will increase to 4.1 GHz. Manufactured by Intel Core i7-8750H using a 14 nm process technology.
All this makes it the best and most innovative processor of our time. But this, of course, only applies to laptops. There are even more powerful ones.
Looking at the processor model, you will immediately understand what class of laptop is in front of you. Using the same criteria, you can determine what capabilities to expect from the purchased device.
Every day electronic devices are becoming smarter, and the processors in them are becoming more powerful. According to Moore's Law, humanity will soon approach the maximum possible performance level for a silicon brain. In the meantime, let’s not get distracted by future scenarios and find out which of the existing processors are the most productive. Especially for you, our rating of the best mobile processors of 2018-2019.
No. 10 - Mediatek Helio P23
The processor has 8 cores ARM Cortex A53, 4 at 2.3 GHz and 4 at 1.7 GHz, transistor length 16 nm. The processor architecture provides optimal performance and energy efficiency, and works well with smartphones with 2 SIM cards. At the same time there is a double module LTE which means it is possible to maintain two slots simultaneously with LTE- connection. Built-in image processing module for dual cameras, support for single shooting with a resolution of up to 24MP. The processor can encode and decode 4K video. The chipset's Internet card allows you to download files at a maximum speed of up to 300 Mbit/.
In general, the platform is designed for high-quality video shooting, in high resolution and with stabilization. Mediatek Helio P23 The company, which has gained great popularity in the microprocessor market, presents us with its latest development. This new product was received positively by both smartphone manufacturers and users. Based on 8 A53 cores with a clock frequency of 2.0 GHz. 14 nm production technology. Plays even “heavy” video games well thanks to the graphics adapter Adreno 506. The processor is 64-bit, optimally consumes energy and practically does not heat up in processing mode. Not as productive as the Snapdragons of 2017, but still powerful and cheap, and now many Android devices (more than 20 items) run on it. Smartphones with Snapdragon 625 on board can both shoot and display 4K video, and also supports phones with dual cameras, although this feature is not stated by the manufacturer. Provides high quality voice communication and all kinds of navigation systems. Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 New mid-generation processor from Samsung. For a long time, the manufacturer hid the characteristics, but we found the most accurate ones for you. Although it was stated that the chip would be produced using 10nm technology, Samsung remained faithful to the 14nm standard. The chipset guarantees support for Wi-Fi wireless communications and the most advanced 5.0 bluetooth protocol at the moment. It consists of 8 logical cores, including 2 of the latest A73 Cortex with a total clock frequency of 2.2 GHz and six A53 with a ceiling frequency of up to 1.6 GHz. 4K will most likely slow down with it, but Full HD+ is reproduced perfectly on this platform. Improved LTE board with a download speed ceiling of 600 Mbit/s. Can be built into smartphones with 22MP cameras and dual 16MP cameras. Samsung Exynos 7885 Another representative of Mediatek on our list is the latest generation processor Helio X30. A system with a 10nm crystal with 10 cores - you have never seen anything like this. The architecture of the processor is three-stage, consisting of three clusters. The main cluster is 2 Cortex A73 cores with a ceiling clock frequency of 2.5 GHz, 2 clusters of 4 Cortex A53 cores, with a frequency of 2.2 and 1.9 GHz, respectively. The platform is capable of decoding 4K2K video images using an advanced 800 MHz GPU. The presence of several image processors makes it possible to work with dual cameras with a resolution of 16x16 megapixels. Mediatek Helio X30 A processor announced in the fall of 2017 from the previously mentioned company. It is based on an eight-core processor with support for standards
#9 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 625
No. 8 - Samsung Exynos 7885
No. 7 - Mediatek Helio X30
Based on LTE Worldmode Cat.10 3rd generation modem. According to the manufacturer, the new technology for communicating processor cores provides maximum performance and 25% less power consumption compared to previous generation processors. The first smartphones with Helio X30 appeared on the market only at the end of 2017.№6 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
#5 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
An advanced chipset from Qualcomm, integrated into the most advanced and productive smartphones. Intel's withdrawal from the smartphone market allowed the company to take a leading position in all price segments, without mercy for competitors. And now, they are finally releasing a board for premium smartphones. In fact, it already has everything you need, and you just need to combine the screen, ports and case with it. Implemented on 10nm technology using a manufacturing standard FinFET 2.0. 
Based on 8 Kryo 280 cores, the first level cluster has 4 cores with a clock speed of up to 2.5 GHz, the second level has 4 cores with a frequency of 1.9 GHz. The graphics module here is even more interesting - the new Adreno 540, the technical descriptions of which have not yet been made public. Supports 10-bit 4K Ultra HD Premium video processing. With this baby you can play virtual reality applications - its architecture processes every texture with great speed and precision. The very high power of the “brain” negatively affects its energy consumption, although here the company has applied several innovative solutions.
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
No. 4 - Huawei Kirin 970
The Chinese company presented a single-chip platform, the main feature of which was a neuromorphic processor with an open ecosystem. This processor provides maximum performance in interfaces and platforms using artificial intelligence. System Kirin The 970 is manufactured on a 10nm chip and is the world's first chipset with a neural unit in the processor. Architecture built with inclusion NPU provides much greater performance and tens of times less power consumption than conventional chips. 
The fingernail-sized processor consists of 8 cores - four Cortex-A73 and the same amount A5 3. Processor clusters operate at frequencies up to 2.4 GHz and 1.8 GHz, respectively. As a GPU in the chipset - innovative 12 core GPU Mali G72MP 12. According to the manufacturer, built-in LTE ADVANCED PRO supports speeds above 1 GB it/c, while its closest competitors have 1Gbit/c This is the speed ceiling. Powerful interface supports video format 4K. In addition to all of the above - face detection and motion capture capabilities, hybrid autofocus and clear shooting of moving objects, even in low light conditions. Kirin 970 will give the smartphone such opportunities that, until now, none of them could accommodate.
Huawei Kirin 970
No. 3 - Samsung Exynos 9 Octa 8895
The company's flagship smartphone processor Samsung another representative of the line Exynos . Manufactured using a 10nm process, with 3D structure of transistors. The processor has 8 cores, 4 of which are familiar to us Cortex A53, and here are the characteristics of the other four Samsung does not disclose, only hinting that these are advanced specialized cores of a new generation. Built-in GPU supporting processing of AI and machine vision operations, but inferior to a similar module inKirin 970. 
New 5CA LTE The modem supports network speed from 1Gbit/c download and 150Mbit/c uploading data to the Internet. GPU handles format 4 video decoding K at 120 frames/
sec, including textures of virtual reality worlds. The first flagship with a processor Exynos 9 Octa 8895 became Samsung Galaxy S8.
#2 - Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
With this miracle, your smartphone will become truly smart. Snapdragon 845 – advanced new generation chip from a world famous microelectronics manufacturer. Designed for the latest smartphones, 845
It completely changes our idea of what a modern microprocessor should be like. The basis of the chipset is 8 cores, production technology is 10nm, with special nuances of the technical process - LPP FinFET. At the time of writing, this is the best copy on the market in terms of cost and performance. 
Main cluster of 4 cores CortexA75 operates at frequencies up to 2.8 GHz, second-level on 4 cores Cortex A55 - with a frequency of up to 1.8 GHz. Enhanced graphics core Adreno 630 supports launching any gaming applications; it also supports working with virtual reality applications. The processor uses the third generation of mobile AI Neural Processing Engine (analogous to NPU from Huawei), what determines its increased performance and support for intelligent computing algorithms (video, photo processing, voice assistant, etc.). Co-processor Spectra 280 ISP takes the color rendering of images to a new level, as well as the graphic element Adreno allows video decoding 4K with HDR10 color and frame rate 60 FPS
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
#1 - Apple A11 Bionic
The performance rating of smartphone processors is topped by the Apple chipset integrated into the company's flagship model, the iPhone X. It differs from its predecessors by the co-processor added to the chip, which speeds up the processing of artificial intelligence tasks. Built on 10 nanometer technology, the redesigned block architecture gave the A11 a performance increase over the A1 0 by as much as 25%, while energy efficiency increased by almost half. 
The chip includes a 3-core GPU developed in-house by Apple, with which graphics on smartphones are now completely under the control of the manufacturer (previously, graphics chips were purchased externally). Absolutely innovative is the dual-core neural accelerator, which powers the latest intelligent processing functions such as AR or Face ID. In general, any functions that the iPhone X has are primarily due to the latest A11 processor, which supports the latest standards for communication, video processing and machine learning operations.
Apple A11 Bionic
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There are many smartphones and tablets on the market, especially Chinese ones. They have different “fillings”, so it’s very easy to get confused. We decided to write a comparison of mobile processors and identify the best in each price category. We will try to explain in the most accessible way, in simple language, which processor should be installed in your new smartphone so that it can satisfy all your needs.
In this article you will not find any technical terms or abstruse things. Our goal is to explain it as clearly as possible to the average user who wants to choose a good smartphone, but does not have time to read a bunch of literature and understand the intricacies.
What processors are on the market?
As a matter of fact, in 2018 there are several processor manufacturers on the market:
- Kirin- a proprietary processor that is used only in products of the company and the Honor sub-brand.
- Exynos- developed by Samsung, used in branded devices, but recently also installed in smartphones from other companies, for example.
- MediaTek- processors from a fabless semiconductor company from Taiwan. In the CIS countries they are considered quite cheap, so they are not considered in expensive devices.
- Apple A(x)- developed by the company of the same name, used only in Apple products.
- - processors of an American company whose production facilities are located in China. These processors are considered to be of very high quality and are installed in almost 80% of smartphones on the market. Moreover, Snapdragons of different performance levels can be seen even in Huawei and Samsung smartphones, which have their own chips.
- Surge- the company’s processors, which are so far used only in the cheapest smartphones and exclusively on the Chinese market.
I should immediately note that processors from Apple And Xiaomi there is no point in considering. The first - because they are used only in iPhone and iPad, are optimized exclusively for the iOS operating system, and on AliExpress in general. Concerning Surge from Xiaomi, they began to be developed quite recently, and they will not appear on our market soon.
Huawei Kirin processors
There is a lot of indignation about these processors on the Internet. Like, they often freeze, the interfaces don’t work very well, and so on. There are also complaints about the smartphone heating up when playing games, the battery draining quickly, and poor optimization. This is very strange, since all the Kirin smartphones that I was lucky enough to use did not cause any problems.
In 2018, the line of MTK chips was updated, and even Xiaomi, which previously dealt only with Snapdragon processors, began to use them in production.
When choosing a smartphone with a MediaTek processor, you need to pay attention to the brand. For example, the same Sony and Meizu will work 99% perfectly with MTK.
Exynos from Samsung
To be honest, I don’t really like these processors, and I wouldn’t buy anything on Exynos for myself. An interesting point is that the flagship smartphones Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9 are sold in two versions: with a proprietary processor and with a chip from Qualcomm. It is the latter option that the vast majority of bloggers and reviewers recommend purchasing. I really love Meizu products, but the only device that I didn’t like was the Pro 6 Plus with an Exynos processor. He worked simply disgustingly. My personal opinion - Devices with these processors are not worth buying.
Many may disagree with me, especially Samsung device owners, but have you tried using other smartphones? You may be lucky with a good version of the processor, but the latest models have problems with the scheduler, which significantly reduces performance. Another argument is that the budget devices of the Korean company are significantly inferior to competitors from China. Perhaps this is due to higher salaries at Korean factories, which affects the cost of the device: you have to install less memory, cheaper materials, and so on.
Qualcomm Snapdragon processors
These processors are considered the most popular and, accordingly, the most widespread on the market. Of course, they are of high quality, but in the middle price segment, in my opinion, they are overrated. For example, if you choose between Snapdragon 660 And Helio P20, then I will give preference to the processor from MTK, because it seemed to me faster. But if you choose between the most productive products of companies, Qualcomm will be out of competition with any other brands. All flagship Android smartphones, including the reference Google Pixel 2, are equipped Snapdragon 845 or 835 (the first is newer, but in general they are almost the same). Other best smartphones of 2018 are equipped with these processors.
In the budget segment, these processes are also widely represented, but I do not like their performance, unlike their counterparts on MTK and Kirin. For example, those available on the Snapdragon 430 work extremely slowly and heat up significantly even when watching videos on YouTube, which is most likely due to the insufficient power of the chip. The same Meizu M5s on an outdated stone from MTK for the same price behaves much better.
Comparison of mobile processors: What's the conclusion?
First, we completely abandon processors from Apple (if you want an Android device), Samsung and Xiaomi. Let's go further: in the cheapest smartphones we give preference to Kirin and, possibly, MTK, but processors from Huawei are higher in priority. In the middle price segment, we choose smartphones based on Kirin or Helio P20 from MediaTek. When choosing the most expensive smartphones, there is only one option - Snapdragon 845 (835).
Here's a short guide to modern processors. This is a purely personal opinion. If you disagree with me, be sure to write in the comments. Commentary is welcome!
The development of modern means of content consumption (smartphones and tablets) has defined the laptop as a separate segment of mobile electronics. With its help, they create materials, solve production and management problems, and play games. Which processor is better for a laptop depends both on the mode of its use and on the tasks it solves. You should select the “brain” for such a portable computer with a reserve: in the future, an upgrade may be impossible or cost additional costs to pay for the work of specialists.
Main characteristics of processors
There are several basic parameters to choose from. Which processor will be better for a laptop with your needs depends on the tasks being solved and the budget. Let's look at the main characteristics:
- Manufacturer. In fact, the chip market is occupied by two competing companies, AMD and Intel. They occupy 98% of the sales market and have virtually nothing to compete with other manufacturers. The remaining 2% is shared by VIA, ASUS and Acer, but the products of these companies do not withstand minimal competition, and their processors are not worth buying.
- Number of Cores. The performance of laptop processors depends on this number, but not only. If the device will be used as a gaming device, then with the same budget you should give preference to a higher frequency rather than the number of cores. To solve problems of video processing or large photos, the priority is the cores, here they will work to the maximum.
- Connector type (socket). The chip is installed on the computer motherboard in a special place - a socket. Motherboards are not universal: if a motherboard is designed for an AMD chip, it will not fit an Intel one, and vice versa. Sockets within the same manufacturer also differ. When choosing, be sure to make sure that the connector on the motherboard matches the processor. Find out, .
- Clock frequency. Essentially, this is the speed of the chip - it is logical in this aspect to want the maximum figure. In the case of a laptop, not everything is so simple: it should be taken into account that increasing the clock frequency entails an increased load on the battery. The chip heats up faster and requires cooling, and as a result, battery life is reduced.
- System bus frequency. This is the speed at which the chip “communicates” with all other computer devices: video card, RAM, ROM and other components. Unlike the clock frequency, the system bus frequency does not affect heating or battery life. The higher this number, the more productive the processor will be.
- Cache memory. In order not to access the RAM every time, the chip can store frequently used commands and data in its own resources. Modern processors use a three-level cache memory. The fastest - the first - does not exceed 1024 kilobytes in volume, the second and third - up to 8 megabytes.
How AMD differs from Intel
If we compare processors from these manufacturers with equal technical characteristics, the differences will be in the following points:
- AMD is 15-20% cheaper than Intel, depending on the chip model. The higher the performance, the more noticeable the difference.
- Socket incompatibility, i.e. One chip cannot be replaced with another.
- Intel's computing performance is 20-25% higher than its AMD counterparts.
- The power of graphics cores in AMD chips is 20-25% higher. This difference becomes even greater if the computer is equipped with a video card from the same manufacturer.
- Intel leads in power consumption. This figure for the processor is at least 30% lower than that of the AMD analogue.
What type of processor is best for a laptop?
The best processor for a laptop is the one that will ensure comfortable performance of the tasks assigned to it with minimal energy consumption. The less the chip heats up, the less energy will be spent on cooling it. The autonomy of a laptop is the main difference between the device and a desktop PC. To choose the right powerful chip, you need to decide on the tasks.
For games
Games require enormous power from processors. A quad-core AMD Athlone 2 with a frequency of 2800 MHz in this regard will be a better choice than a 2-core Intel Core i5, because the graphics will be at a high level. If you reduce the initial voltage on an AMD chip from 1.4 volts to 1.2, the overall electricity consumption is reduced by 30%, which makes it as economical as Intel, but better in performance. To overclock the chip, you need to return the factory voltage. When preparing your gaming laptop, be sure to apply a good quality thermal paste during assembly to protect against overheating.
For home or office work
The main tasks solved at home and in the office are working with text, surfing the net, processing photos, watching videos. Purchasing a super-powerful processor with this usage model is not practical. To solve such problems, a dual-core Intel Core i3 chip will be quite enough. It can easily handle all office programs, browsers, simple graphic editors and music and video players.
For working with demanding programs
If the laptop is a designer's tool, used for video editing, developing graphic projects or presentations, it cannot be considered an office or home laptop. Such devices are needed to quickly develop a project with a client, draw up cost estimates and show the advantages/disadvantages of certain solutions. The speed of computing processes should be maximum.
For such a laptop you can only use Intel processors from the Core i5 series. The built-in graphics core will save not only on the cost of the video card, but also on energy consumption. If the laptop will be used for video processing, you should choose an Intel Core i7 Sandy Bridge with a video card of the appropriate performance class.
Rating of laptop processors by performance 2016-2017
Currently, AMD and Intel have released a large number of chips to meet the demand in all market segments. TOP laptop processors include several competing models:
- AMD FX Vishera – shows the highest frequency at the moment (4700 MHz). Depending on the tasks being solved, 4 or 8 cores work. Designed to work on gaming PCs and laptops. High performance is ensured not only by the frequency of this processor, but also by the largest L2 and L3 cache volumes on the market.
- Intel Core i7 Devil's Canyon - designed for working with resource-intensive programs for video processing, 3D modeling, project development, and managing complex computing processes. Increased energy efficiency is clearly visible in battery saving.
- Intel Core i7 Skylake is a quad-core chip designed to solve computing problems. He is capable of working with demanding programs for modeling, creating video content, developing, testing software and managing processes. Has the lowest power consumption among competitors in its class.
Video: how to choose a processor for a laptop
The video presents a comparison of laptop processors using specialized software. Testing takes place in conditions where maximum performance is “squeezed” out of the chip. The video will be interesting to those who are deciding on the choice of the most powerful device for their computer. The results of the review are clearly shown in the form of graphs, comparative tables and charts. Comments from a specialist during the test will help even beginners understand the issue of choice and will help professional computer assemblers.
