The Intel Core i-Series line of processors made by Intel have been around for a very long time, and are found in a large percentage of computers. One of these is the i7 which currently has 13 different generations. In this article, I will explain what version of Windows is best for the i7.
Windows 7 is the best version of Windows for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation i7. Whereas, Windows 11 is the best for the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th generation i7.
The reason is that the earlier generations of the i7 aren’t as fast, and Windows 7 is more lightweight. Other versions of Windows such as Windows 10 are not ideal, which I will explain below. As well as:
- If an i7 is enough for Windows 11
- If an Intel Core i7 can run Windows 10
- If an i7 is good for Windows
Let’s go!
Is an i7 Enough For Windows 11
Currently, in 2023/2024 there are 13 generations of the Intel i7. They differ in speed. Windows 11 is the latest version of Windows. Below, is a table that shows what version of Windows is best for each generation of the i7.
| Intel i7 Generation | Best version of Windows |
| 1st | Windows 7 |
| 2nd | Windows 7 |
| 3rd | Windows 7 |
| 4th | Windows 11 |
| 5th | Windows 11 |
| 6th | Windows 11 |
| 7th | Windows 11 |
| 8th | Windows 11 |
| 9th | Windows 11 |
| 10th | Windows 11 |
| 11th | Windows 11 |
| 12th | Windows 11 |
| 13th | Windows 11 |
From the table you can see that a 4th generation or newer i7 should run Windows 11. Whereas, a 3rd generation and lower should run Windows 7. Currently, Intel only sells 3rd generation and newer i7’s.
By today’s standards the 1st and 2nd generation i7 are fairly slow. One interesting thing about Windows that has come up recently is that Windows 11 was released. Since then many people have tested it to see how it compares to Windows 10. I compiled the data in a side by side table to show much faster or slower Windows 11 is compared to Windows 10.
READ MORE >> Is Windows 11 slower than Windows 10
Most people use a computer in a similar way. Where they browse the web, work on documents, and possibly play some games. However, not all i7’s can handle that, regardless, of what version of Windows you install.
Here’s a table that shows what each i7 generation can do, from 1 to 13.
| Intel i7 generation | What it can do |
| 1st | Only for web browsing and documents |
| 2nd | Only for web browsing and documents |
| 3rd | Only for web browsing and documents |
| 4th | Can handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 5th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 6th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 7th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 8th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 9th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 10th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 11th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 12th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
| 13th | Can easily handle resource intensive programs like gaming |
It’s possible to break down how well each of these perform when the best version of Windows is installed on it. Otherwise, the performance will be slower.
| Generation | Web browsing and working on documents | Resource intensive programs like video editing software | Gaming |
| i7 4th generation | Yes. Ok performance. | No. | No. |
| i7 5th generation | Yes. Good performance. | Yes, but very slow and almost unusable. | Yes. But, only games that are not graphics intensive like Minecraft. |
| i7 6th generation | Yes. Good performance | Yes, but very slow and almost unusable. | Yes. But, only games that are not graphics intensive like Minecraft. |
| i7 7th generation | Yes. Very good performance | Minimum | Yes. Minimum for graphics intensive games |
| i7 8th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Ok performance. | Yes. Good for graphics intensive games |
| i7 9th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Very good for graphics intensive games |
| i7 10th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Excellent for graphics intensive games |
| i7 11th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Excellent for graphics intensive games |
| i7 12th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Excellent for graphics intensive games |
| i7 13th generation | Yes, Excellent performance, the best performance possible. | Yes. Excellent performance. | Yes. Excellent for graphics intensive games |
What is the best version of the i7
The best version of the i7 for performance is the 13th generation i7. It runs the fastest. The generation number is ascending from worst to best. For example, a 10th generation i7 is faster than a 9th generation 7.
The best i7 processor is typically only required by professional gamers, or video editors that prefer an incredibly fast CPU. For a require computer user, or hobby gamer a 7th generation or better i7 is more than fast enough.
An higher generation i3 or i5 will also provide the same performance. Which one you get will dependon supply and demand.
For an i-series processor that provide very good performance for work, university, school, or playing graphics intensive games the following i-series processor would be excellent:
- i7 – 7th generation
- i5 – 9th generation
- i3 – 11th generation
A higher generation of any of these would provide even better performance. But, would be surplus to the needs of most PC users. Even hobby gamers.
You could argue that the i3 and i5 are a better option because they are both completely supported for Windows 11. I covered previously that Windows 11 is only fully compatible on an 8th generation i7 or better.
READ MORE >> Can an i7 run Windows 11
Due to the similarity in performance an i5 or i3 would be better because the generation is higher, and is fully supported for Windows 11. At the end of the day which is cheaper at the time would be the deciding factor. Because they all have equivalent performance.
And it’s still possible to run Windows 11 on a 7th gen i7.
Can an Intel Core i7 Run Windows 10
All Intel Core i7’s run Windows 10 well. But, only a 4th generation or better can run Windows 11 well. A 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen i7 should ideally run Windows 7 because Windows 10 and Windows 11 will be too slow.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 use virtually the same resources. And run as fast as each other. Almost everyone agrees Windows 11 has a better looking user interface. So, it makes sense to get Windows 11 when you have the choice between Windows 10 and 11.
Which you will have on any 4th generation or higher i7.
Is the i7 Good For Windows
The i7 is good for Windows. However, only a 3rd generation or later i7 will run Windows 11 well. Older versions should use Windows 7 because it has less demand for resources.
Only 8th generation i7’s or higher are fully compatible with Windows 11. But, it’s perfectly fine to run Windows 11 on an incompatible i7.