Laptop CPU - i3, i5, i7

Looking for a new laptop with 15.6" screen I am aware that the new CPU kids on the block are this 'i' series. Given that the processing is / will be of a mundane order - no games, no video editing - my thoughts turn to the fan.

A quiet laptop is paramount.

Some say the higher the number the better, some say the i5 is power hungry and runs the fan all the time, some say the i3 is economic but do not mention the fan.

When I want to work in peace and quiet which of these three CPU's would I best look at?

Thanks
Phil

 

Greetings, muymalestado...

Not too familiar with the i-series (don't know if anyone is, yet), but the following shows no reason that I can tell for the i5 "heating issue":

Core i3:
* Entry level processor.
* 2-4 Cores
* 4 Threads
* Hyper-Threading (efficient use of processor resources)
* 3-4 MB Cache
* 32 nm Silicon (less heat and energy)

Core i5:
* Mid range processor.
* 2-4 Cores
* 4 Threads
* Turbo Mode (turn off core if not used)
* Hyper-Threading (efficient use of processor resources)
* 3-8 MB Cache
* 32-45 nm Silicon (less heat and energy)

Core i7:
* High end processor.
* 4 Cores
* 8 Threads
* Turbo Mode (turn off core if not used)
* Hyper-Threading (efficient use of processor resources)
* 4-8 MB Cache
* 32-45 nm Silicon (less heat and energy)

In other words, there's nothing there that would indicate that a difference in processors would necessarily mean noticeably more heat, especially if you're not going to seriously stress the system...

IMO, go with the best bang for the buck - if it's a well made machine, it should be fairly quiet...

Keep us posted...

 

Herself has used the new i3 laptop for 4 months now. We have not heard the fan on yet! That is with doing some heavy image work from time to time.

My old XP laptop has the fan going all day just with looking at this forum (1.73GHz Pentium M).