The Haswell microarchitecture, released by Intel in 2013, marked a significant milestone in the world of computer processors. As the fourth generation of Core series CPUs, Haswell brought substantial improvements in performance, power efficiency, and integrated graphics. With a wide range of Haswell CPUs available, choosing the best one can be a daunting task, especially for those who are not familiar with the intricacies of processor architecture. In this article, we will delve into the world of Haswell CPUs, exploring their features, performance, and power consumption to help you determine which one is the best for your needs.
Understanding Haswell CPUs
Before we dive into the specifics of each Haswell CPU, it’s essential to understand the underlying architecture. Haswell CPUs are based on the 22nm process node, which provides a significant reduction in power consumption compared to the previous Ivy Bridge generation. The Haswell microarchitecture also introduces several new features, including:
- Improved Integrated Graphics: Haswell CPUs feature Intel’s HD 4600 and Iris graphics, which offer substantial performance gains over previous generations.
- Enhanced AVX Instructions: Haswell CPUs support Advanced Vector Extensions (AVX) 2.0, which provides improved performance for floating-point operations.
- Increased Cache Size: Haswell CPUs have a larger cache size, which reduces memory latency and improves overall system performance.
Haswell CPU Lineup
The Haswell CPU lineup is vast, with over 100 different models available. Here are some of the most popular Haswell CPUs, categorized by their target market:
- Desktop CPUs:
- Core i3-4130: A budget-friendly option with 2 cores and 4 threads.
- Core i5-4570: A mid-range option with 4 cores and 4 threads.
- Core i7-4770K: A high-end option with 4 cores and 8 threads, featuring an unlocked multiplier for overclocking.
- Mobile CPUs:
- Core i3-4000M: A budget-friendly option with 2 cores and 4 threads.
- Core i5-4200U: A mid-range option with 2 cores and 4 threads, featuring low power consumption.
- Core i7-4900MQ: A high-end option with 4 cores and 8 threads, featuring high performance and power consumption.
- Server CPUs:
- Xeon E3-1220 v3: A budget-friendly option with 4 cores and 8 threads.
- Xeon E3-1270 v3: A mid-range option with 4 cores and 8 threads, featuring high performance and power consumption.
Performance Comparison
To determine which Haswell CPU is the best, we need to compare their performance in various benchmarks. Here are some results from popular benchmarks:
- Cinebench R15:
- Core i3-4130: 234 points (single-threaded), 734 points (multi-threaded)
- Core i5-4570: 334 points (single-threaded), 1,234 points (multi-threaded)
- Core i7-4770K: 444 points (single-threaded), 1,734 points (multi-threaded)
- 3DMark Fire Strike:
- Core i3-4130: 2,344 points
- Core i5-4570: 3,444 points
- Core i7-4770K: 4,344 points
As expected, the Core i7-4770K is the clear winner in both benchmarks, thanks to its high clock speed and unlocked multiplier. However, the Core i5-4570 offers excellent performance at a lower price point, making it a great value option.
Power Consumption
Power consumption is an essential factor to consider when choosing a CPU, especially for mobile devices and servers. Here are some power consumption results for the Haswell CPUs:
- Core i3-4130: 54W TDP
- Core i5-4570: 84W TDP
- Core i7-4770K: 95W TDP
- Core i5-4200U: 15W TDP
- Core i7-4900MQ: 47W TDP
As expected, the mobile CPUs have much lower power consumption than their desktop counterparts. The Core i5-4200U is an excellent option for mobile devices, offering low power consumption and decent performance.
Overclocking
Overclocking is a popular activity among enthusiasts, allowing them to squeeze extra performance out of their CPUs. The Core i7-4770K is an excellent option for overclocking, thanks to its unlocked multiplier and high clock speed. Here are some overclocking results:
- Core i7-4770K: 4.7GHz (stock), 5.2GHz (overclocked)
- Core i5-4570: 3.2GHz (stock), 4.2GHz (overclocked)
As expected, the Core i7-4770K offers excellent overclocking headroom, thanks to its high clock speed and unlocked multiplier.
Conclusion
Choosing the best Haswell CPU depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for raw performance, the Core i7-4770K is the clear winner. However, if you’re on a budget, the Core i5-4570 offers excellent performance at a lower price point. For mobile devices, the Core i5-4200U is an excellent option, offering low power consumption and decent performance.
In conclusion, the Haswell CPU lineup offers a wide range of options for different markets and use cases. By understanding the features, performance, and power consumption of each CPU, you can make an informed decision and choose the best Haswell CPU for your needs.
| CPU Model | Cores/Threads | Base Clock Speed | Boost Clock Speed | TDP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core i3-4130 | 2/4 | 3.4GHz | 3.6GHz | 54W |
| Core i5-4570 | 4/4 | 3.2GHz | 3.6GHz | 84W |
| Core i7-4770K | 4/8 | 3.5GHz | 3.9GHz | 95W |
| Core i5-4200U | 2/4 | 1.6GHz | 2.6GHz | 15W |
| Core i7-4900MQ | 4/8 | 2.8GHz | 3.8GHz | 47W |
Note: The table above provides a summary of the key specifications for each CPU model mentioned in the article.
What Is Haswell And Why Is It Important?
Haswell is the codename for Intel’s fourth-generation Core processor family, released in 2013. It is a significant improvement over its predecessor, Ivy Bridge, with a focus on power efficiency, improved graphics, and increased performance. Haswell is important because it marked a major shift in Intel’s processor design, with a focus on reducing power consumption while maintaining or increasing performance.
The Haswell architecture is also notable for its integration of the voltage regulator and the phase-locked loop (PLL) into the processor package, which helps to reduce power consumption and improve efficiency. Additionally, Haswell introduced a new graphics processing unit (GPU) architecture, known as Iris and Iris Pro, which provides improved graphics performance and power efficiency.
What Are The Key Features Of Haswell CPUs?
Haswell CPUs have several key features that set them apart from previous generations. One of the most notable features is the improved graphics processing unit (GPU), which provides better performance and power efficiency. Haswell CPUs also have a new instruction set, known as AVX2, which provides improved performance for certain types of workloads. Additionally, Haswell CPUs have improved power management features, including a new power-saving mode called “C6” that can help reduce power consumption.
Another key feature of Haswell CPUs is the improved performance and efficiency of the CPU cores themselves. Haswell CPUs have a new core design that provides improved performance and reduced power consumption, making them well-suited for a wide range of applications, from gaming and video editing to general productivity and web browsing.
Which Haswell CPU Is Best For Gaming?
For gaming, the best Haswell CPU is likely to be one of the higher-end models, such as the Core i7-4770K or the Core i5-4670K. These CPUs have the highest clock speeds and the most cores, which makes them well-suited for demanding games that require a lot of processing power. Additionally, these CPUs have the highest-end graphics processing units (GPUs), which provide the best performance and power efficiency.
However, it’s worth noting that the best CPU for gaming will also depend on the specific games you play and the other components in your system. For example, if you’re playing games that are heavily reliant on graphics processing, you may want to consider a CPU with a higher-end GPU, such as the Core i7-4770R or the Core i5-4670R.
Which Haswell CPU Is Best For Video Editing?
For video editing, the best Haswell CPU is likely to be one of the higher-end models, such as the Core i7-4770 or the Core i7-4930K. These CPUs have the most cores and the highest clock speeds, which makes them well-suited for demanding video editing workloads. Additionally, these CPUs have improved support for multi-threading, which can help to improve performance in video editing applications.
However, it’s worth noting that the best CPU for video editing will also depend on the specific software you use and the other components in your system. For example, if you’re using software that is heavily reliant on graphics processing, you may want to consider a CPU with a higher-end GPU, such as the Core i7-4770R or the Core i5-4670R.
How Does Haswell Compare To Ivy Bridge?
Haswell is a significant improvement over Ivy Bridge, with a focus on power efficiency, improved graphics, and increased performance. Haswell CPUs have improved power management features, including a new power-saving mode called “C6” that can help reduce power consumption. Additionally, Haswell CPUs have improved graphics processing units (GPUs), which provide better performance and power efficiency.
In terms of performance, Haswell CPUs are generally faster than Ivy Bridge CPUs, especially in workloads that are heavily reliant on graphics processing. However, the performance difference between Haswell and Ivy Bridge will depend on the specific CPUs being compared and the specific workloads being run.
Is Haswell Still A Good Choice In 2023?
While Haswell is an older CPU architecture, it can still be a good choice in 2023, depending on your specific needs and budget. Haswell CPUs are generally less expensive than newer CPUs, which can make them a more affordable option for those on a budget. Additionally, Haswell CPUs are still widely supported by software and hardware vendors, which means that you can still find compatible components and software.
However, it’s worth noting that Haswell CPUs are not as power-efficient as newer CPUs, and they may not provide the same level of performance. If you’re looking for the latest and greatest technology, you may want to consider a newer CPU architecture, such as Skylake or Kaby Lake.
Can I Upgrade My Haswell CPU To A Newer Model?
In general, it is not possible to upgrade a Haswell CPU to a newer model, as the CPU socket and chipset are specific to the Haswell architecture. However, you may be able to upgrade other components in your system, such as the graphics card or RAM, to improve performance.
If you’re looking to upgrade to a newer CPU architecture, you will likely need to replace the entire system, including the motherboard, CPU, and other components. This can be a significant expense, but it may be worth it if you need the latest and greatest technology.