The Intel Core i5 has been powering mid-range laptops from various manufacturers. Currently, its 12th generation has been released.
Showing how the processor has evolved over time to meet the growing demands of the public, including gaming. So, is Core i5 good for gaming, I am talking about the new and latest generation of core i5 which is generation 12 let's answer this question.
Intel Core i5 and its Generation
The generation of a CPU is basically its version released in the same year or the following year. The first two generations of the Intel Core i5 were released in 2009 and 2010.
Subsequent generations followed year after year, and now we have 11th and 12th generation Core i5s that even support Intel CPUs' built-in AI instructions. But be aware that not every generation is right for gaming.
For example, consumers no longer want to buy a laptop or PC with a 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even 5th Gen Core i5 for gaming.
The reason is obvious - these generations don't have powerful features or support enough graphics rendering to let you play the game. In fact, the first-generation Intel Core i5 processors weren't even marketed as gaming CPUs.
Is Core i5 good for gaming - Real facts data
#1. Data from Intel Core i5-10600K – Leader
On that list I talked about, the Intel Core i5-10600K rules the Core i5 CPU gamut. It has a clock speed of 4.10GHz and has 6 cores and 12 threads.
Add about 16GB of RAM to it with a decent graphics card and it will run games as it pleases. The list doesn't appear to have been updated, otherwise, it would have the new 11th and 12th gen Core i5s.
But it does give you a general idea of how these CPUs relate to other CPUs. Speaking of which, the Core i5-10600K scores better than the Core i7-9700K.
In terms of performance, it is getting closer to the Apple M1 8 Core 3200. You know the M1 8 cores, right? The gold standard for Apple's CPUs in the MacBook Air?
I would definitely call the Core i5-10600K a gaming CPU, it's the best of all Core i5 CPUs out there.
#2. Data from Benchmarks
If the previous generations were not suitable for gaming, is the new generation? This is the question you should be asking. Answering yes or no will waste your time, so let's get to the benchmarks already. I'll be using the PassMark benchmark from CPUbenchmark.com.
Yes, there are many other benchmarks, but I chose this one because it accurately describes the strength of the CPU regardless of the system.
It ranks processors based on performance by giving them a value called CPUmark. Currently,
The AMD Ryzen 9 5950X tops the list with a whopping 46,165 CPU mark. Honestly, it's crazy, but so is its price. It's priced at $700. So if you're building a PC or considering a new laptop with the same features, keep that price in mind.
Little about Core i5 11th and 12th generations?
The 10600K version is really better than any other generation, even the 11th generation. The Intel Core i5-1135G7 @ 2.4GHz ranks lower than the Core i7-1165G7 2.8GHz.
It even beats the Intel Core i5-9600K @ 3.7GHz. However, before ignoring it entirely (which you should at this point), know that clock speed plays a big role in determining a CPU's power, regardless of algebra.
You've just read one of the classic examples above.
For a good Core i5, gaming experience keep in mind
#1. Keep in mind CPU clock speed
As I said, the speed of a CPU used for gaming is entirely dependent on its clock speed. That doesn't mean you should look for a first-gen Core i5 with amazing clock speeds, just because it doesn't exist.
The more you move up the generational ladder, the more compatible you are with running the latest AAA games. You'll also get better support from Windows if you're running a 12th Gen CPU instead of a 1st Gen CPU.
An example of this is the removal of support for some models of Core i3 CPUs to upgrade to Windows 11. Now, no matter how powerful the version you are using, if using the new generation.
So, in conclusion, look for a higher gen CPU, like a 10th Gen Core i5 with a 4.1GHz clock speed, rather than an 11th Gen Core i5 with only a 2.4GHz clock speed.
#2. How important are graphics cards?
You might buy a laptop or build a PC with the best CPU, but if you don't have the right graphics card, you won't be able to play AAA games wholeheartedly.
and Why?
The equation is simple. Games are graphics-intensive, and they require dedicated processors to work. However, to get the most out of your card, you need a better CPU.
The more powerful the graphics card, the higher the algebra you should choose. This is to ensure you get the full benefits of the card.
Basically, the power or capacity of the CPU allows the GPU or graphics processing unit to reach its full potential.
For example, if your laptop has a 4th Gen Intel Core i5 and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, you won't be able to enjoy 4K gaming. They might play at 1080p but also experience slight stuttering and framerate drops.
On the other hand, running the same card with a 10th Gen Core i5 yields better results. Not only can you play games in high resolution, but you can also play games at high frame rates. Therefore, if you want to play well, the importance of graphics cannot be ignored.
The graphics cards I recommend are of course the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, RTX 3080/3080 Ti, GeForce RTX 3060/3060 Ti, AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, Radeon RX 6800 and MSI RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio. All of these cards are capable of playing games like GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Hitman 3 at decent frame rates.
My personal words so, is the Core i5 good for gaming in 2022?
With the list of CPUs mentioned above and how it performs against other processors on the market, you can answer this question yourself.
But if we're talking about the latest generation Intel Core i5 - absolutely yes! The prices are relatively cheap, and they'll give you good value for your money.
But if you want to play games but don't care too much about the price, I'd recommend buying a processor higher than the Core i5-10600K.
FAQs on Is Core i5 Good for Gaming
Is Ryzen 5 better than i5?
The Ryzen 5 series has more cores than an Intel i5, especially if you're comparing older generation processors, which typically have much smaller cache sizes than their Ryzen counterparts.
Is Ryzen or Intel better for gaming?
Compared to Intel processors, which are still far behind and need improvement to compete with AMD rivals, Ryzen produced better results in benchmarks.
Is the i5 good for gaming in 2022?
The newer 12th Gen Intel Core i5 is great for gaming in 2022, however, make sure you're getting a decent graphics card too, as integrated graphics aren't great for gaming.