I was commenting the results of leslie11.
My 13/i7/8g/256g will arrive in Monday, it will be a long weekend...
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11" i7 vs i5 Test(s)
- Thread starter Jazwire
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I was commenting the results of leslie11.
My 13/i7/8g/256g will arrive in Monday, it will be a long weekend...
I think the test was just an 8 minute Handbrake encode on the i7 (which took 10 minutes on the i5), which is an extremely processor-dependent task and essentially simulates the different effect of running each machine at pretty close to full CPU. I'm not sure what can really be concluded beyond the obvious that when ramped up near or at 100% the i7 will work harder than the i5, generating more heat, but will finish faster.
I was just unclear when the OP said "most of the time", meaning "most of the time" as in always" or "most of the time" during the test.
That was cleared up though.
This sounds extremely unrealistic. Considering that the display and other components draw power too. coconutBattery is measuring all power including cpu, display, keyboard lighting, ... They are using the built-in measurement to OS X, which is calculating the wattage over the last 30 minutes from the last charge or so.
Screenshot of coconut battery next to your post.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/fzoy0o91x18qgbi/screenshot.png
(Actually it was at 2.9 watts at the time when i took the screen shot.)
I know people are eager to see comparisons between each CPU option, myself included...
But from what I've seen so far with peoples tests the i7 is simply 20% faster as the paper figures suggest only when performing tasks that max out both cores eg video encoding.
The i7 draws more power and therefore runs hotter during these tasks. I think idle temps would be very similar.
I think the difference in normal usage battery life is also similar.
Anandtech review of the i7 will be interesting but I expect it to show more of the same.
In a nutshell 99% of the time the i7 gives no advantage runs perhaps 1-2c hotter, draws less than 5% more power but will compute slightly quickly when doing really heavy duty stuff.
As this is a portable thoroughbred I believe the i5 is the best bet.
Do a lot of video or graphics work, the rMBP quad i7 is your best bet. Or iMac plus MBA is unbeatable.
But from what I've seen so far with peoples tests the i7 is simply 20% faster as the paper figures suggest only when performing tasks that max out both cores eg video encoding.
The i7 draws more power and therefore runs hotter during these tasks. I think idle temps would be very similar.
I think the difference in normal usage battery life is also similar.
Anandtech review of the i7 will be interesting but I expect it to show more of the same.
In a nutshell 99% of the time the i7 gives no advantage runs perhaps 1-2c hotter, draws less than 5% more power but will compute slightly quickly when doing really heavy duty stuff.
As this is a portable thoroughbred I believe the i5 is the best bet.
Do a lot of video or graphics work, the rMBP quad i7 is your best bet. Or iMac plus MBA is unbeatable.
GREAT Test. Real data. Explains what's really happening rather than trying to guess by circumstantial evidence!
I'm persuaded to get the i5 (hate fans). I want the 8GB/512GB model and was hoping to have instant store pickup and was trying to avoid the BTO route. That was pushing me toward the i7. But now I have direction. Thanks.
No prob folks, glad that my simple test helped some of you with your decision.
I must stress that my main aim was to see the extent of heat generation, batt life and performance are secondary, so please factor that in.
Your usage pattern might be different from mine, I'm on my MBA for hours at a stretch but I'm usually plugged in and don't run CPU intensive tasks, mostly word processing n surfing. In this case, both machines performed about the same, performance and heat-wise.
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I forgot to add, I really didn't want to buy both machines at first but the I7 which I first ordered was running kinda hot so I decided to get the I5 and then return the one I felt was better for me.
I really didn't want to waste Apple's money for the shipping, restocking etc. and by posting here in MR, I guess I'm trying to make up for the extra unit I ordered.
I must stress that my main aim was to see the extent of heat generation, batt life and performance are secondary, so please factor that in.
Your usage pattern might be different from mine, I'm on my MBA for hours at a stretch but I'm usually plugged in and don't run CPU intensive tasks, mostly word processing n surfing. In this case, both machines performed about the same, performance and heat-wise.
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I forgot to add, I really didn't want to buy both machines at first but the I7 which I first ordered was running kinda hot so I decided to get the I5 and then return the one I felt was better for me.
I really didn't want to waste Apple's money for the shipping, restocking etc. and by posting here in MR, I guess I'm trying to make up for the extra unit I ordered.
>>a 10min encode on the I5 took 8min on the I7
>...from what I've seen so far with peoples tests the i7 is simply 20% faster
>as the paper figures suggest only when performing tasks that max out both
>cores eg video encoding.
Actually that's 25% faster (not 20% faster) from this test:
i5 speed = 1/10 video/minute
i7 speed = 1/8 video/minute
i7/i5 speed = (1/8)/(1/10)=10/8=1.25=125% (so 25% faster)
>...from what I've seen so far with peoples tests the i7 is simply 20% faster
>as the paper figures suggest only when performing tasks that max out both
>cores eg video encoding.
Actually that's 25% faster (not 20% faster) from this test:
i5 speed = 1/10 video/minute
i7 speed = 1/8 video/minute
i7/i5 speed = (1/8)/(1/10)=10/8=1.25=125% (so 25% faster)
Fair to say the i5 runs a little quieter and cooler with 5 to 15% better battery life depending on what tasks you're doing and 25% slower when maxing out both cores?
That sums up my experience. Since the i5 is quiter and cooler doing everyday type tasks where the i7 isn't noticeably faster and I think I'm able to get 30-60 minutes more on the battery the i5 was my choice.
That sums up my experience. Since the i5 is quiter and cooler doing everyday type tasks where the i7 isn't noticeably faster and I think I'm able to get 30-60 minutes more on the battery the i5 was my choice.
Thanks Jazwire. Really useful and interesting tests.
Just a couple of suggestions
: There are tools that allow you to monitor and measure more precisely CPU temperature and fans RPM.
It would be also nice if could do the tests on Mavericks DP2.
Just a couple of suggestions
: There are tools that allow you to monitor and measure more precisely CPU temperature and fans RPM.It would be also nice if could do the tests on Mavericks DP2.
No. During everyday tasks where both i5 or i7 arent really pushed very much, the power draw is around the same, hence battery life will only differ by minutes. The reviews of the 13" model prove this.
You will only notice a larger battery life difference when pushing both CPUs to their turbo boost levels, where the i7 will finish the task sooner, but will draw more power then the i5.
I know this mite not be the most exact comparison. I5 is definetly cooler and has no fan noise that I herd while I had it for 2 weeks. The I7 on the other hand has a very slight fan noise that I can hear, and it does get warm. I have 2 fans in my room and sometimes I second guess it's my air making the noise it is that faint, and the warmth is far from hot but my I5 never ever felt warm while I had it.
I'm going to pull the trigger on a MBA i5, 8g, 512, apple care, MS office 2011 home/business. This Is for the wife. I don't want to risk lower battery life with the i7. Buying from macmall to avoid the $189 in tax.
I wanted the I7 but I had a huge bb gift card and an old gaming desktop/ heavy duty tasks. Used the gift card got the I5 sold it and my desktop. I consolidated to an ultimate air that's the only reason really.
Do you notice a difference in performance between the two? Would you recommend the i7 to others who usually do basic tasks but occasionally do more demanding tasks? Thanks for your input!
Honestly I never did anything to crazy with my I5, one thing I can test is making a hierarchy chart on word. That made my I5 lag 2 seconds a key stroke, so when I get home il try the same thing again.battery wise they are similar I have not noticed any difference. The I7 is warmer then the I5 on the top by the hinge but the I7 does not even get that warm after 2 games of LoL running bootcamp.
Really appreciate your time on this Jazwire. I know you may have more important things to do, like earn a living, but your efforts on this endeavor do help me in deciding the version I want to get.