I'm thinking about buying the ThinkPad E490 but what CPU do I need? https://www.lenovo.com/.../customize?
i5-8265U processor (6 MB cache, up to 3.90 GHz)
i7-8565U processor (8 MB cache, up to 4.60 GHz)
What I want to do: programming, web development, occasional games.
And worth the AMD Radeon RX 550X, 2 GB GDDR5, 128 bits for 60 euro compared to the integrated Intel graphics unit?
Programming: what exactly? Usually an i5 is enough for this. For a concrete assessment you need more information.
Web development: i5 is completely sufficient.
Occasional games: Usually the i5 is enough - but also here: without knowing the games it is difficult.
Regarding GraKa: Pure programming or web development definitely no. Do you simulations, then it is worthwhile. For games, it depends on what and how your requirements are in terms of resolution. Goes with the integrated GraKa unit too, but can just make worse simulations. In 3D, I would always guess to a separate GraKa.
To (1), the i5 is sometimes even better for applications that require the IGP, because the package has a powertarget (in the case of U processors around 15W) and the higher clock of the CPU some of the available power ( for the IGP) eats.
To rank (2) the RX550X between the MX150 (25W) and the 1050, about 2-3 should be as fast as an HD620. If you want to play with the laptop, it's definitely worth it (in which case, the i7 would be worthwhile, because then the IGP would be disabled while playing and the game would benefit from the faster clock speed).
This is not relevant for both web development and programming. This also works great on a Raspberry Pi. Unlike the Desktoppendants there's no elementary difference between the i5 and i7, both are quadcores with HT.
I would grab the i7. Many IDEs are quite resource-consuming and at the latest with VMs - around which you can't avoid programming in the longer term - you will still be happy.
For the 110 Euro difference and especially if you keep the device then still some years…
Do not worry too much here
The i5 8265U is quite enough for that.
I would take the RX 550X, because it is much better than the iGPU from the processor.
