Intel initially launched their Core lineup of processors with the i3, i5, and the i7 processors back in 2008. The Core i7 was supposed to be the highest-end processor with the best performance in a particular generation. Although, the “best in class” crown was taken away from the Core i7 lineup when Intel introduced the Core i9 processors back in 2017. But, the initial fundamental driving the creation of these processors has remained the same. But, are these processors good for gaming workloads? Let us find that out in this article.
What are the Latest Core i7 Processors Available in the Market?
Intel’s latest Alder Lake processors came with a bunch of Core i7 offerings. These include the following chips:
- Intel Core i7-12700K, which has the UHD 770 iGPU and is unlocked.
- Intel Core i7-12700KF, which does not have the UHD 770 iGPU but is unlocked.
- Intel Core i7-12700, which has the UHD 770 iGPU but is locked.
- Intel Core i7-12700F, which does not have the UHD 770 iGPU and is locked.
- Intel Core i7-12700T, an OEM chip.
All of these processors, regardless of whether they are locked or have an iGPU are great chips. They are some of the chart-toppers when it comes to performance that you get without breaking the bank by buying a Core i9 processor.
Are Intel Core i7 Processors Enough for Gaming?
As mentioned in our Intel Core i5 post, those processors are the best choice for gaming. Most Core i5 processors can be found around the US$ 200 mark, making them a solid choice for gaming without spending a bunch of gaming.
In contrast, the Core i7 12700K processors go for as much as US$ 410, making them a not so smart choice for gaming uses. They perform like crazy, and we are not judging the quality of the chips at this point. But, in a world where the available graphics cards cannot fully utilise Core i5-12600K, spending money behind a Core i7 chip is a complete waste.
Add to this fact, Core i7 chips consume significantly more power, and are quite hot running. This means you will have to get a more capable power supply and a beefier cooler to utilise the full power of your chip.
After considering all of this, and the existence of the Core i5 processors, we do not recommend the Alder Lake Core i7 chips for just gaming workloads. However, these processors are recommended for any creator who will be running heavy software like the Adobe suite, etc.
We recommend the older Core i7 chips, up to the Coffee Lake chips, if you get a great deal on one. We hope this guide helped you clear the confusion around Core i7 chips.
