When you are buying a laptop online but you do not know much about what to pick, choosing the right processor is one of the most important things that you must do. This is not just needed to ensure that your laptop meets your needs well but also to ensure that your purchase is worth your investment.
So, to help you buy the right laptop for your needs, we have listed the important aspects that you must consider while buying the best laptop online. Have a look at this list and understand the essentials that you must know while deciding on the processor and buying a new laptop online:
Understand what every feature means
When you are buying a new laptop, make sure that you do your research well and try and understand the usage and importance of every feature. This will help you make the right comparison and find out the perfect laptop for you.
Core and thread count along with the cache memory
If you need a laptop for heavy work or gaming needs, the higher the count of cores and threads, the better will it be for you. Also, if you want to have a smooth multitasking experience, make sure that the cache memory of your laptop is large.
Generation of the processor
While deciding on the processor of your new laptop, you even need to decide on the generation. If you have high specifications or need it for professional or premium needs, you should go for a recent generation of the processor. However, if you have regular or personal needs, you can even go for the previous generations depending on your budget.
GPU
If you have professional or gaming needs, you should always check on the graphics processor. This will help you ensure that your laptop has the perfect video quality of all your editing or gaming needs and there is no lag between the audio and video.
Best Intel laptops to consider:
Here is an easy guide that will help you pick some good processors based on your needs:
| Needs | Suitable processors |
| Browsing and occasional needs | Intel Core i3, Intel Celeron, Intel Pentium, AMD A4, AMD A6 |
| Online streaming, watching movies and more | Intel Core i3, AMD Ryzen 3, AMD A8, AMD A9, AMD A10 |
| Regular office work | AMD Ryzen 3, AMD Ryzen 5, Intel Core i3 and Intel Core i5 |
| Coding, programming and gaming | Intel Core i5, Intel Core i7, AMD Ryzen 5 and AMD Ryzen 7 |
| Designing needs | Intel Core i7, Intel Core i9 and AMD Ryzen 7 |
Best AMD laptops that you can consider:
DISCLAIMER: At TOI, we keep you informed about the newest trends and products. The products listed have been well studied and researched, and are also in line with customer ratings. TOI is part of an affiliate partnership, meaning we may receive a portion of the revenue from your purchases. The product prices mentioned in the article are subject to change, as per retailers' deals
FAQs
Higher CPU speeds enable your system to run better and faster while using multiple applications. As an example, speeds of 3.5 to 4.0 GHz are considered ideal for most use cases. However, while faster speeds are better, be sure to only compare processors from the same family, generation, and manufacturer.
How do I know which processor is better for my computer? ›
Generally speaking, the higher the clock speed per core, the better. When choosing a new CPU, look for the highest clock speeds possible within your budget while also ensuring you have the cores/threads you need for your workloads.
Which processor is best, U or H or P? ›
Intel Core Processors (14th gen)
| Suffix | Optimized/Designed for |
|---|
| H | Highest performance |
| P | Performance optimized for thin and light laptops |
| U | Power efficient |
| Y | Extremely low-power efficient |
13 more rowsIf you're on the lookout for a laptop for office use, ensure it has an Intel 12th generation or above processor ranging from i3, i5, and i7. On the other hand, AMD processors from the 5000 series and above should also be good enough for professional work which include Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5, and Ryzen 7.
Is the i7 better than the i5? ›
Intel Core i7 processors are typically faster and more capable than Core i5 CPUs. The latest i7 chips offer up to six cores and 12 threads, making them better suited for advanced multitasking.
Is Intel or Ryzen better? ›
Each offers unique features tailored to different user needs and budgets. While Intel processors are preferred for high-end gaming due to their high clock speeds, Ryzen processors powered laptops are favoured for productivity tasks and versatile builds.
Do I need more RAM or a better processor? ›
A more powerful processor will help with tasks such as streaming or running multiple programs. At the same time, large amounts of RAM will help with multitasking but will primarily improve performance in complex programs and operations.
How much RAM do I really need? ›
8GB RAM: Good for moderate multitasking, light gaming, and basic photo/video editing. 16GB RAM: Ideal for heavy multitasking, advanced gaming, and professional-level content creation. 32GB RAM and above: Best for high-end gaming, professional video editing, 3D rendering, and other demanding tasks.
What processor speed is good? ›
2.5 GHz to 3.5 GHz is good for everyday use. 3.5 GHz to 4.0 GHz is great for gaming and more demanding tasks.
How do I choose my processor? ›
Considering Compatibility and Future-Proofing
Ensure the CPU you select fits the socket on your motherboard and that the motherboard chipset supports the CPU's features. Upgradability should also be a consideration; opting for a newer platform might offer better support for future CPU generations.
Intel uses these names to help consumers choose the right CPU for their needs and budget, based on the general rule that i3 is for basic tasks, i5 is for mainstream tasks, and i7 is for high-end tasks. However, these names do not reflect the exact specifications or capabilities of each...
What is the most efficient processor? ›
Intel's Core i7-14700K is one of the best overall processors that money can buy, with excellent performance in all areas. The i7-14700K delivers notable improvements over the Core i7-13700K, with four additional E-cores, raising the total core count to 20.
What processor should a good laptop have? ›
For processor-intensive applications such as video editing and gaming, we recommend a six- or eight-core AMD processor or an Intel chip with six or more Performance cores. CPUs of this caliber are typically found in midsize and larger rather than ultraportable compact laptops, since they demand extra cooling.
What is more important in laptop processor or generation? ›
The generation of the processor is more important. The newer the generation, the faster the processor; so an i5 with 7th generation is actually faster than an i7 with 4th generation. The number that comes immediately after the processor brand modifier (i3, i5, i7, i9) is the generation number.
What is a good processor count for a laptop? ›
The number of cores you need depends on what you plan to use your computer for. If you're just browsing the web and using basic applications, two or four cores should be sufficient. However, if you're doing more intensive tasks like video editing or gaming, you may want to invest in a CPU with six or eight cores.
Which processor speed is best for a laptop? ›
For laptops:
- A speed of 1.6 GHz to 2.5 GHz is good for basic tasks. Most laptops on the market are equipped with dual core processors, which are suitable for everyday users.
- 2.5 GHz to 3.5 GHz is suitable for most users, including light gamers.
- 3.5 GHz and above is ideal for gamers and professionals.
By getting a more powerful processor, you can help your computer think and work faster. This alone may be enough to optimize the power of the RAM you already have and help you maximize your investment in any new RAM you do add.
What processor do I need for a fast laptop? ›
First, consider the processor. It is one of the biggest components that makes up your laptop's speed. As speed is your priority, getting a laptop with an Intel Core i7 or higher will give you optimal performance.
