Framework laptop Thunderbolt
Choosing Processor for Framework LaptopWhen I recently bought a Framework laptop, one of the tasks I needed to do was to choose a processor. When I bought Mac computers there were few things to think about in terms of processors. A more expensive processor just meant more power. The processors available in Framework laptops dont quite operate on that model. In some cases, you may get more features and not more power. Are those features you want? Thats the question I asked myself. Show AMD vs IntelBefore I dig into these specific chips I wanted to discuss Intel and AMD. I had been hoping for an AMD processor since you can get more cores and threads in a comparable processor. But, this isnt something Framework is currently offering. My speculation on the reason is that AMD chips dont have Thunderbolt while Intent chips do. Thunderbolt is a certification, which Framework is working on getting, around communications features. It enables one to hook up a display and other things over a single connector. Thunderbolt is useful to have in a laptop. It means I can have a one cable connection to a dock that has a keyboard, mouse, and displays hooked up to it. AMD, according to reports, will have Thunderbolt in the near future. But, its not an option today or when they were designing the Framework laptops. In a world of trade-offs, I can understand why they made this one. The ProcessorsThe processors, at the time Im writing this, are:
The i7s are more powerful, and power hungry, than the i7s. But, whats the difference between the i7s? Is that 0.1 GHz worth it? There are a couple places I looked for details. The Spec SheetsThe first place I looked for details was the specifications. You can find them on the Intel websites (i7-1165G7 and i7-1185G7). Digging through the specifications I discovered:
In general, the i7-1185G7 has more enterprise and IT features. This is the big difference. Performance ComparisonI was surprised to learn that UserBenchmark had the i7-1165G7 as being just a little bit faster. These arent the fastest chips on the market. The full range of comparisons include desktop and server chips. So, the rankings are relative. ConclusionIn the end, I ended up with the i7-1165G7. It has comparable performance to the i7-1185G7, is a little cheaper, and is missing some features I wasnt planning on using. Your mileage may vary and its worth looking at the details.
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