Core i3 or i5? Which Intel Processor Is The Best Fit for You in 2025
Date Published:
When picking a laptop, the processor plays a significant role in overall performance. The Intel Core i3 and i5 are two of the more commonly available options. You can expect solid performance for simple tasks with the Core i3, including web browsing, documents, spreadsheets, and video streaming. This product is the perfect entry-level processor, and I would consider it budget-friendly for general use. You will find brands like HP, Dell, and Lenovo that have and are quite reliable. The Core i5 does come at a small premium but offers better speed, multithreading, and better performance if you need to push heavier apps, edit photos or videos, or game. The Core i5 is a fantastic option for consumers who need just a little more power without moving to the top-tier specs. If you are looking for a basic or performance laptop, Gadget Zone has options for you that will suit your particular needs and budget.
Is Intel Core i3 better than i5? Top Picks
Whether Intel Core i3 or i5 is better depends on your needs. If you're seeking a budget-friendly option for basic tasks, Intel Core i3 is a solid choice. However, if you need more power for multitasking, gaming, or editing, the Intel Core i5 is the better option. Consider your usage and budget to make the best decision for your laptop.
S.No.
Top Products
Feature
Rating
01
HP 15, 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB DDR4, 512GB SSD
Micro-Edge Display
3.8/5
02
Lenovo V14 G3 14" FHD Laptop, Intel Core i5-1235U
Spill Resistant
3.1/5
03
Dell 15 Thin & Light Laptop, 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1305U Processor
Thin laptop
3.9/5
04
Acer Aspire Lite 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U Thin and Light Laptop
Visibly Stunning
3.9/5
05
ASUS VivoBook 15 (2022), Intel Core i3-1215U, 12th Gen, 8GB RAM
AI Noise Canceling
4.3/5
HP 15, 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U, 8GB DDR4, 512GB SSD
The HP 15 laptop comes with a powerful 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1315U processor that has 6 cores and 8 threads, giving you adequate speed for everyday tasks. It features Intel UHD graphics for smooth visuals and 8GB DDR4 RAM to handle multiple programs easily. The 512GB SSD helps the laptop start up quickly and store your files safely. The 15.6-inch Full HD screen has a micro-edge design with an anti-glare panel, making it comfortable to use even in bright places. The battery lasts up to 7 hours and 45 minutes and charges fast, reaching 50% in 45 minutes. It comes with Windows 11 and MS Office 2021 pre-installed, ready to use after activation. For connectivity, it supports fast Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 and has USB Type-C, two USB Type-A, and an HDMI 2.1 port to connect all your devices easily. This lightweight laptop, weighing 1.59 kg, is great for daily use with good performance and handy features.
Specifications
Item model number: 15-fd0006TU
Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Type: Core i3
Processor Speed: 4.5 GHz
Processor Count: 1
RAM Size: 8 GB
Memory Technology: DDR4
Computer Memory Type: DDR4 SDRAM
Maximum Memory Supported: 16 GB
Memory Clock Speed: 3200 GHz
Hard Drive Size: 512 GB
Pros:
Sleek design
Crystal clear display
Sound quality is perfect
Value for money
Lenovo V14 G3 14" FHD Laptop, Intel Core i5-1235U
The Lenovo V14 G3 laptop comes with an Intel Core i5-1235U processor and 16GB DDR4 RAM, offering smooth performance and easy multitasking for daily work. It has a 512GB SSD for quick booting and enough storage and a 14-inch Full HD display that gives clear and sharp visuals. The Intel Iris Xe Graphics supports casual gaming and light content creation. If you're wondering, is the Intel i5 powerful enough for video editing? Yes, it can handle basic video editing and light creative tasks well. The laptop runs on Windows 11 and comes with MS Office with lifetime validity. It has a full-sized keyboard with a numeric pad and a built-in webcam for video calls. Weighing just 1.6 kg and designed in Iron Grey, it’s a portable choice for work, study, or travel and includes a 1-year onsite brand warranty.
Specifications
Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Type: Core i5
Processor Speed: 1.7 GHz
Processor Count: 1
Memory Technology: DDR4
Computer Memory Type: DDR4 SDRAM
Maximum Memory Supported: 16 GB
Memory Clock Speed: 3200 GHz
Hard Drive Size: 512 GB
Pros:
Fast performance
Ample storage
Clear display
Portable design
Dell 15 Thin & Light Laptop, 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1305U Processor
The Dell 15 Thin & Light Laptop comes with a 13th Gen Intel Core i3-1305U processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB SSD, giving you smooth performance and quick boot times for daily use. It has a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 250 nits brightness, which offers clear and smooth visuals. The laptop runs on Windows 11 and comes with MS Office 2021 and 15 months of McAfee antivirus already installed. It features Intel UHD Graphics for handling everyday visuals, and the design is light and easy to carry, weighing just 1.66 kg. It also includes a full-sized keyboard with a numeric pad and a built-in webcam for video calls, making it a good choice for work, study, or home use.
Specifications
Brand: Dell
Manufacturer: Dell India Pvt Ltd, Dell India Pvt Ltd
Series Vostro: 3530
Colour: Black
Form Factor: Laptop
Standing screen display size: 15.6 Inches
Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Resolution: 1920 x 1080
Package Dimensions: 45 x 35 x 7 cm; 1.66 kg
Batteries: 1 Lithium Ion battery required. (included)
Pros:
Thin & Light Laptop
Intel UHD Graphics
This laptop is good for students
Cons:
A few customers have complained that after delivery, the screen of the laptop is broken
Acer Aspire Lite 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U Thin and Light Laptop
The Acer Aspire Lite with a 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor offers smooth performance and easy multitasking, making it a good choice for work, study, or entertainment. It comes with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD and runs on Windows 11 Home with Intel Iris Xe Graphics for everyday tasks. The 15.6-inch Full HD anti-glare display gives clear visuals and helps reduce eye strain, while the laptop’s slim design at 18.9 mm and weight of 1.78 kg make it simple to carry. It also gives up to 11 hours of battery life for all-day use. The laptop has a large touchpad, a full keyboard with a numeric keypad, and a 180-degree hinge for easy screen sharing. You also get useful ports like Type-C, HDMI, and LAN for better connectivity. Nahimic Audio adds better sound for games, movies, and music, and its noise cancellation helps in clear online calls or classes. This laptop is built for everyday use with a focus on comfort, speed, and portability.
Specifications
Series: Aspire Lite
Colour Steel: Gray
Form Factor: Laptop
Item Height: 48.1 Centimetres
Item Width: 9.5 Centimetres
Standing screen display size: 15.6 inches
Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 Pixels
Product Dimensions: 48.1 x 9.5 x 48.1 cm; 1.6 kg
Batteries: 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)
Pros:
Good for office use
Battery backup is strong
Crystal clear display
Affordable
Cons:
The sound quality of the laptop can be much better
ASUS VivoBook 15 (2022), Intel Core i3-1215U, 12th Gen, 8GB RAM
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is equipped with a powerful 12th Gen Intel Core i3-1215U processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, which delivers an ultra-fast and smooth experience for daily tasks, whether work, study, or entertainment. The laptop has a 15.6-inch Full HD display with slim bezels on three sides to produce a better viewing area whilst having clear visuals for enjoyable forms of entertainment. The Kino™ sound system has been tuned by Dirac, renowned audio experts, to produce rich sound for every form of listening, whether that be gaming, videos, music, or podcasts. The ASUS VivoBook is pre-installed with Windows 11 and Office 2021 for productivity, as well as supporting very fast WiFi 6E access for internet use. The backlit keyboard and weight of 1.7 kg add to a comfortable experience for daily use. There are also multiple ports (3 x USB 3.0 and 1 x USB 2.0; HDMI; audio jack) which provide easy connectivity with other devices and accessories.
Specifications
Item model number: X1504ZA-NJ322WS
Processor Brand: Intel
Processor Type: Core i3
Processor Speed: 4.4 GHz
Processor Count: 6
RAM Size: 8 GB
Memory Technology: DDR4
Computer Memory Type: SDRAM
Maximum Memory Supported: 16 GB
Memory Clock Speed: 3200 MHz
Pros:
Superior display
Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
Anti-glare display
60Hz refresh rate
Cons:
The battery drains out fast