How Many Cores in i5 Processor? (Generation Wise Analysis)

Intel Core i5 are the mid range processors that are suitable for a wide variety of applications.

The best Core i5 processors are more than ample for gaming as well as heavier tasks such as editing, designing etc.

Here we will look at how many cores in i5 processor by taking into account the recent generations.

If you need the most simple answer, the number of cores in an Intel Core i5 ranges from 2 (minimum) to 6 (maximum) as of yet.

As is the case with Core i3 and Core i7 processors, the number of Cores in i5 depends upon the model as well as the generation.

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How Many Cores in i5 Processor – Generation Wise Analysis

Here we will look at the recent three generations i.e 7th, 8th and 9th for analysis.

The 6th generation and the later have become obsolete and have almost completely been replaced by the more recent generations.

Here we will look at various models. Some are high performance models while others are power efficient low voltage models that save battery.

Similar to the Core i3 and Core i7 processors, the Core i5 processors are available on three platforms:

Desktop
Mobile
Embedded

Mobile platform include laptop, tablets and all other portable devices.

Embedded platforms can be desktop, compact machines, laptops, tablets or any device in which the processor is hard-wired. In other words, you cannot replace it.

Intel Core i5 9th Generation

You can check out the entire list of 9th generation Core i5 Processors here.

The first 9th generation Core i5 was released in Q4 of 2018 while the majority were released in Q1-Q2 of 2019.

Core i5-9600T – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9600K – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9600KF – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9600 – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9500T – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9500F – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9500 – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9400T – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9400 – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9400H – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-9300H – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-9500E – Embedded – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-9500TE – Embedded – 6 Cores / 6 Threads

Key Notes

In summary, this generation features a maximum of 6 cores – this number is similar to the 8th generation processor.

Since this has just recently hit the market, it has a limited choice of processors with its mobile-based models – more mobile based will be released over time.

You must note that currently the most powerful i5 mobile-based processor is still the Intel Core i5-8500B from the 8th generation.

Core i5-8500B vs Core i5-9300H [Courtesy: cpubenchmark.net]

Intel Core i5 8th Generation

You can check out the entire list of 8th generation Core i5 Processors here.

The 8th generation Core i5 was first released in Quarter 3 of 2017 with the bulk releasing throughout 2018. The last Core i5s of this generation were released in Q2 of 2019.

Core i5-8600T – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8600K – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8600 – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8500T – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8500 – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8400T – Desktop – Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8400 – Desktop – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8500B – Mobile – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8400B – Mobile – 6 Cores / 6 Threads
Core i5-8400H – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8300H – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8305G – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8365U – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8350U – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8279U – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8269U – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8265U – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8259U – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8250U – Mobile – 4 Cores / 8 Threads
Core i5-8310Y – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-8210Y – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-8200Y – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-8365UE – Embedded – 4 Cores / 8 Threads

Key Notes

In summary, this generation has a maximum of 6 cores.

All the desktop-based 8th generation i5 processors have 6 cores with 6 threads.

The mobile-based processors are divided into various categories

High performance 6 Cores:
These have the ‘B’ designation. These do not have hyper threading enabled but they are the most powerful mobile processors of the generation.
High Performance 4 Cores:
These have the ‘H’ and ‘G’ designation. Among these ‘G’ designation are more powerful. They consume more power and also feature a more powerful AMD VEGA integrated graphics card. Both ‘H’ and ‘G’ processor have hyper threading enabled.
Power Efficient 4 Cores:
These have ‘U’ designation. They are found in most mainstream laptops as well as portable ultrabooks that are designed to save battery and produce less heat. These too have hyper theading enabled
Low Performance Power Efficient 2 Cores:
These have the ‘Y’ designation. They are designed for very compact machines that have to run very cool such as tablets. They consume the least power and run the coolest.

Core i5-8500B vs Core i5 8400H [Courtesy: cpubenchmark.net]

While the 6 Core i5 8500B is more powerful, it also runs a lot hotter and consumes more power.

Intel Core i5 7th Generation

You can check out the entire list of 7th generation Intel Core i5 processors here.

The first 7th generation Core i5 was released in Q3 of 2016 while the bulk were released in Q1 of 2017.

Core i5-7600K – Desktop – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7600T – Desktop – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7600 – Desktop – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7500 – Desktop – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7500T – Desktop – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7400 – Desktop – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7400T – Desktop – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7440HQ – Mobile – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7300HQ – Mobile – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7360U – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7300U – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7287U – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7267U – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7260U – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7200U – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7Y54 – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7Y57 – Mobile – 2 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7442EQ – Embedded – 4 Cores / 4 Threads
Core i5-7440EQ – Embedded – 4 Cores / 4 Threads

Key Notes

In summary, this generation has a maximum of 4 Cores.

The 7th generation is the last generation that has stayed true to the tradition. All the desktop models have a maximum of 4 cores without hyper threading enabled.

Like the 8th generation i5 processors, the laptop-based processors have different variants:

High Performance 4 Cores:
These have the ‘HQ’ designation.
Power Efficient 2 Cores:
These have ‘U’ and ‘Y’ designation.

Note that the power efficient mobile processors come with ‘U’ and ‘Y’ designation. The U series processors are those that are featured on mainstream power efficient laptops.

The ‘Y’ series processors are featured on compact machines like tablets. They are the weakest in terms of performance, yet have the lowest TDP (heat generation).

Conclusion

Here we looked at how many cores in i5 processor exist.

As we had seen with i7 and i3 processor, that depends on the generation, models and the platform in question.

Basically, if you need a simple answer, the number of cores ranges for 2-6.

The maximum number of cores in an i5 processor (currently possible) is 6.

Andrew White

Andrew White is the founder of TechGearoid, a leading technology review & information website that is designed to help consumers make better decisions when it comes to their IT purchases. As a specialist tech writer (nerd) with over 10 years of experience, he enjoys writing about everything there is to do with modern technology & the newest market innovations. When he isn’t providing value for his readers, he’s usually drinking coffee or at the beach. Andrew lives in Sydney, Australia with his wife and family.