They have integrated graphics with 12 to 48 execution units

Jan 6, 2015 07:52 GMT  ·  By

Showing how clearly its tactics have changed, Intel is launching its next-generation processors in reverse compared to previous years. Instead of the desktop units coming out first, they are being preceded by the mobile processors.

Having released the Core M series of ultramobile processors back at IFA 2014 in September, Intel already had a foundation, of sorts, for its 14nm processor collection.

That is why the unveiling of the new Celeron to Core i7 CPUs didn't take us by surprise. However, the sheer number of new chips does merit a raised eyebrow.

It ultimately falls down to how the processing and graphics capabilities are combined, and what thermal envelope is being targeted.

The new Intel Broadwell-U CPUs

The best units will be equipped with Iris 6100 GT3 graphics (48 execution units) and will work at a TDP of 28W. They are four in number, called Core i7-5557U (up to 3.4 GHz clock), Core i5-5287U (3.3 GHz), Core i5-5257U (3.1 GHz), and Core i3-5157U (2.5 GHz).

All of these have two cores (4 threads), 1866/1600 DDR3 memory controllers, 3 MB cache memory (4 MB for i7-5557U) and a price of $315 - $426 / €263 – €356.

There are a couple of interim sets of CPUs which balance performance, graphics, TDP and price in different ways, until we reach the low-power, low-cost Pentium and Celeron units, with 15W + HD Broadwell graphics.

Pentium 3805U (1.9 GHz), Celeron 3755U (1.7 GHz) and Celeron 3205U (1.5 GHz) are all dual-core, single-threaded chips with 2 MB cache and 15W TDPs. You'll see all the U-Series processors in the table below.

Compatibility

Broadwell-U CPUs should be pin-compatible with Haswell-U equivalent designs, so makers of laptops and tablets won't have to change their designs too much.

This means that current motherboard designs will allow buyers the full benefits of more transistors per unit area, lower power consumption and higher performance enabled by the advance in architecture from 22nm to 14nm.

The main target customers are the people seeking to change their generation-old laptop for a newer one, or for a tablet.

Intel compared Broadwell-U specifically to the Core i5-520UM, which powers many 4-5-year-old notebooks. It has 12 times better graphics, 2.5 times better processing power and twice the battery life, while eating much less energy.

Broadwell-U CPU specs
Broadwell-U CPU specs

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Intel launches Broadwell-U CPUs
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