Is the i5 still good in 2024?

Yes, the Intel Core i5 is still a very good processor in 2024, especially for mainstream gaming, productivity tasks, and general computing. While more powerful CPUs like the i7 or i9 are available for enthusiasts and professionals, the i5 offers a great balance of price and performance for most users.

Here’s why the i5 is still a solid choice in 2024:

1. Performance for Gaming and Everyday Tasks:

• Gaming: The Intel Core i5 (especially the 12th and 13th Gen models like the i5-12600K or i5-13600K) provide excellent gaming performance. With 6 to 10 cores (depending on the model), they can handle modern AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077, Call of Duty: Warzone, or Red Dead Redemption 2 at 1080p and 1440p resolutions with ease.
• Multitasking and Productivity: For office tasks, browsing, light video editing, and media consumption, an i5 processor is more than capable of delivering a smooth experience. If you're doing light content creation or programming, an i5 will be able to handle these tasks without bottlenecking your performance.

2. Value for Money (Price-to-Performance Ratio):

• The Intel i5 processor offers one of the best price-to-performance ratios in the market. It provides excellent performance for gaming and general use at a much lower price than i7 or i9 processors. This makes it ideal for users who don’t need the extra power from higher-end CPUs but still want a solid performance for gaming and productivity.
• Mid-range gaming PCs often feature i5 processors, as they balance the need for good performance without the high cost of premium chips.

3. Multi-Core Performance:

• The latest i5 models (12th and 13th Gen) have 6 to 10 cores (with multi-threading support), which is ideal for modern gaming and multitasking. This is especially true for games that utilize more cores (like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Starfield).
• Intel’s hybrid architecture (with Performance cores and Efficiency cores in the 12th Gen and later) improves multi-core performance, making the i5 great for demanding tasks beyond just gaming, like content creation and streaming.

4. Future-Proofing (For Most Users):

• In 2024, i5 processors are still more than capable of handling future games and software. While high-end tasks like 4K gaming, video rendering, and 3D modeling may benefit from more powerful CPUs like the i7 or i9, the i5 will still be sufficient for future gaming titles at 1080p and 1440p for the foreseeable future.
• With features like DDR5 RAM support and PCIe 4.0 on newer models, the i5 is also ready for next-gen hardware and gaming peripherals, making it a future-proof choice for the average user.

5. Energy Efficiency:

• 12th Gen and 13th Gen i5s are built on a 10nm process, which improves energy efficiency. This translates to lower power consumption and better thermal performance, meaning your system can run cooler and quieter while still providing plenty of power for gaming and multitasking.

i5 vs. i7/i9 in 2024:

While the i5 is great for most users, here’s when you might consider going for an i7 or i9:

• i5: Ideal for gamers, students, and general users who don’t need to run resource-heavy tasks (like video rendering, 3D modeling, or high-end multitasking).
• i7: Better suited for content creators, streamers, or high-end gamers who want extra cores for multitasking and demanding applications (e.g., video editing, 3D rendering, simulation games).
• i9: Best for professionals and enthusiasts who need the highest level of performance for workstations, extreme multitasking, and heavy productivity tasks.

Conclusion:

The Intel Core i5 is still a great choice for gaming, general use, and even moderate content creation in 2024. It offers strong performance at a reasonable price, making it an ideal option for budget-conscious gamers and students. The latest 12th and 13th Gen models provide excellent multi-core performance, future-proofing, and support for newer technologies like DDR5 RAM and PCIe 4.0.

Unless you need to do intensive video editing, 3D modeling, or high-end gaming at 4K/8K resolution, the i5 will continue to be more than enough for the average user for the next few years.