Desktop VS Mobile Processors – What’s The Difference ?

Difference Between Desktop Processor and Mobile Processor

Like most compute tech, processors come in essentially two classes – mobile and desktop. Mobile processors, whether they be for laptops, smartphones, or IOT devices, are generally designed for efficiency first and performance second. Desktop processors being less limited by thermals and not at all by potential battery life, are by far the performance champs and will on average have more cache, higher stock and Turbo speeds, and higher TDP (Thermal Design Power).

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Desktop : 

Firstly, let’s talk about desktop processors. These tend to be a lot less limited when it comes to thermals, and aren’t affected at all by battery life. Because of this, it makes them much more efficient when it comes to performance. They also tend to have higher stock and turbo speeds, more cache and higher Thermal Design Power.

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Mobile :

These smaller processors can be used for laptops but also for smartphones and the Internet of Things (IoT) devices too. Due to the nature of the devices and what they’re used for, they tend to be designed more for efficiency rather than performance, which is often the second thought here.

So is a Mobile i7 Not The Same as a Desktop i7 ?

No, not really. Even though both desktop and mobile processors can share the same i7 (and i5 or i3 for that matter) name, that doesn’t mean they’re equal for the reasons I describe above. For example, a desktop Intel Core i7-6700 runs 4 cores at 3.4/4.0 GHz with 8MB cache for a Passmark score of 9,973. Its mobile counterpart, the Intel Core i7-6700HQ, comes in at 2.6/3.5GHz with 6MB of cache for a Passmark score of 8,001, or almost 20% less.

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Key Differences :

Although we’ve outlined the differences between the two above, there are some key differences when it comes down to how these processors work. These we’ve outlined below:

1. Speeds : When it comes down to the speed of the processors, a desktop one will almost always win out. This is due to them having a better cooling solution available, which isn’t necessarily available to smaller devices.
2. Power Dissipation : This all depends on the age and model of the processor. While a desktop one may appear to be better, if it’s old, then it can generate more heat and won’t work as well as newer models found in laptops or smartphones.
3. Silicon Area : Newer, mobile processors are much more compact than those that belong in a desktop. But, it depends on how much space you have if you’re creating your own computer. If there’s more space to build in, then a desktop one would be better due to the above-mentioned points.

What do Those Intel Processor Model Number Suffixes Mean ?

Intel uses a letter at the end of many desktop model numbers as a way of classifying different processor product lines (i.e. i7-6700HQ, i7-6820k, etc). Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common and what each means.

Mobile Processors 

● U – Meaning “ultra-low power,” these processors are typically found in Ultrabooks and similar style laptops where battery life trumps performance. TDP is usually around 15W but speed suffers.

● HQ – Designated for “High performance graphics, quad core,” HQ processors are found in many gaming laptops like our Raptor MX70. TDP is around 45W but performance is much better.

● HK – Meaning “High performance graphics, Unlocked,” these processors are similar to the HQ class but can also be overclocked like many desktop processors. Due to the cooling limitations of mobile platforms, it’s not something we recommend though.

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Desktop Processors 

● K – A desktop processor that’s unlocked and can be overclocked by either the OEM or end user. This post on locked vs unlocked goes into more details.

● T – Intel describes this product as designed for the “power optimized lifestyle. ‘T’ class processors are similar in terms of specs to the HQ line but are typically found in All-in-One PCs.

● None – Processors with no alpha suffix are desktop processors with no specific designation. But they’re important too!

Heat & Power Consumption :

Due to their higher number of cores, computers with Desktop CPU are usually more powerful but therefore generate more heat and have a bigger power consumption than PCs powered by mobile processors. As an example, our Airtop with desktop CPU draws from 65W whereas our fanless computers with mobile processors like Intense PC3 draws from 25W and Fitlet RM from 10W only. Because computers with mobile CPUs generate little heating, it is easier to get a fanless design with smart passive cooling. Fanless computers using desktop CPU can also be cooled but they will require a different design as more heat is generated.

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Which is Better ?

If you’re still sitting there wondering what to opt for, the simple solution is a desktop processor. If you’re building your own computer, chances are you want it for reasons such as gaming, and a mobile processor can’t provide the same effect as a desktop processor. However, if you’re building a laptop, don’t opt for mobile, as a desktop processor will fit and will make your portable device much more effective in the long run.

So Does a Laptop With a Desktop Processor Mean Better Performance?

In short, yes. Because desktop processors have higher clock speeds and less power restrictions than their mobile brethren, you’ll get much better performance, especially with higher demand applications like photo manipulation, 3D design, and video editing. The downside is that desktop processors do run warmer and because of the higher power draw, are not conducive to long battery life, so it is a bit of a trade off. Make sure you choose appropriately for your specific use-case and applications.