Core i7 4th Gen. Computer Processors

Everything You Need to Know About the Intel Core i7 4th-Generation Computer Processors

The 4th-generation Intel Core i7 processor family, which first came out around 2013 and 2014, is based on Intel’s Haswell architecture. These affordable used processors focus on power consumption and efficient design. Before purchasing one on eBay, you should make sure it is compatible with your computer.

The low-cost Haswell architecture is a refinement of the 3rd-generation Ivy Bridge architecture. It is primarily designed with low power consumption, a low thermal threshold, and integrated graphics in mind, thus making it suitable for a whole range of standard computer tasks. If you own a laptop, then a Haswell processor may result in extended battery life compared to previous generations of processors. The Core i7 tends to offer, on average, more power than the Core i3 or Core i5 processors within the same generation.

The efficient 4th-gen i7 has both a desktop and mobile (meaning mostly laptop) variant. The Haswell desktop processors are largely four-core processors that use the LGA 1150 socket. The mobile processors, on the other hand, may range widely in specifications from the basic two-core processor to the more powerful four-core processor. If you are interested in energy efficiency, then pay close attention to the processor's thermal design power, or TDP for short, which measures the amount of heat the processor can reasonably dissipate. The most ultra-efficient mobile processor has a TDP of a mere 12 watts. However, the standard Haswell i7 processor has a TDP of around 47 watts. If you want more power instead, then you should probably opt for the more high-end or extreme Haswell processors with higher TDP levels. You should also pay attention to the type of socket in the processor. This determines whether the processor will fit into your motherboard.

These used i7 processors come with the following features:

• SpeedStep - SpeedStep technology decreases power consumption and heat generation by automatically adjusting the speed and voltage of the CPU based on the instantaneous needs of the system.
• Hyper-threading - Hyper-threading is a technology that will enable a single core to function like two separate cores, so it can process resources in a more efficient manner when multiple demanding programs are running simultaneously.
• Idle states - This technology saves power when the processor is idle.
• Thermal monitoring technology - This technology prevents the CPU from accidentally overheating.