What does "accepts 4th / 5th Gen Intel Core Processors" mean?

Question

What does "accepts 4th / 5th Gen Intel Core Processors" mean?

Anonymous

Hi everybody :

I was looking at some Motherboards...just looking for now. I have a question about Intel Processors. If a Motherboard says that it accepts 4th / 5th Gen Intel Core Processors. What does that mean (in plain English). Most processors are labeled iCore X-YYYYY. X being something like 3,5 or 7. And Y being a four digit number.

Thanks,

stanulg

<Original Title: Intel Processors>

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Answer 1

The topic is not difficult, but somewhat complex.

It would be a bit easier to assist if you outline your requirements and budget as there are many variations,

but the most common current cpu for desktop PC are i3, i5 & i7 .

Do some research and post back with the cpu and motherboard make and model and we can verify if they

are compatible. Note that motherboards come in several sizes the most common being the full size ATX.

The prices reflect the features that come on the motherboard more than quality.

Newegg is a good on line dealer for researching what's currently available -

http://www.newegg.com/Store/Computer.aspx?name=Computer-Hardware

Basics follow. I believe I have things in order.

There are different socket types. The socket being the part of the motherboard that the cpu fits to.

The cpu has pins which fit into the socket, and different series cpu and sockets have a different number of pins.

The difference may be just one 'extra' pin, but can make an earlier socket incompatible with a 'newer' cpu.

i3 is the 'low' end of the series, and would be found in cheaper PC's. They are still very capable processors, but

do have some limitations vs i5/i7, but most 'casual' PC users will do well enough with an i3.

The main difference between i5 and i7 is i7 has a feature called Hyper-threading. Hyper-threading on a

quad core cpu creates four additional virtual cores.

Most people will not benefit from having an i7 unless they are using particular types of software in a professional

capacity, where saving a minute here and there can save money.

The i5 cpu can still use any software, just not as quickly.

Then we have the series AKA 'code' name:

2nd generation :

Sandybridge, eg- i5 2yyy ( a bit outdated now, but still available in some places)

3rd Gen:

Ivy Bridge, eg- i5 3yyy, - - Both use socket 1155
Sandybridge E - Socket 2011 - was not very popular and was short lived.

4th gen :

- Haswell, eg- i5 4yyy. - socket 2011 v3, same number of pins but different layout so not compatible with above.

(some of the top end use socket 1150)

- Broadwell, eg- 5yyy - Socket 1150 (most common)

(Broadwell EP & EX - use 2011 v3 - don't know which models, but would not be common)

The latest - 5th gen :

Skylake, eg- 6yyy - Socket 1151 Same number of pins as 1150 but different layout, so not compatible.

Skylake reverts from the recent trend to having the voltage controller on the cpu to putting it back on the motherboard.

Not sure. but the memory controller may have also been put back on the motherboard.

Skylake also has an DDR4 RAM option, so if you want to use your current DDR3 RAM you need to watch for this

when choosing the motherboard.

A 'K' at the end denotes the cpu is unlocked for overclocking, eg - i5 3570K
Each of these cpu models have sub-versions denoted by the second set of numbers, with the higher number

equating to a higher end cpu.

This article will fill in a few blanks, but there are many more on the net -

which-cpu-to-buy-comparing-intel-core-i5-vs-i7.