Intel introduces first Broadwell processors for laptops

Intel introduced its latest generation of processors at the IFA in Berlin. This Broadwell generation succeeds Haswell and will be the first to be used in ultra-efficient laptops and tablets. The processors are recognizable by the name Core M.

The Core M generation was formally introduced by Intel on Friday, but during the IFA fair several manufacturers already showed their products with a Core M processor. The Core M series is based on Intel’s latest processor design, codenamed Broadwell. That is the 14nm reduced version of Haswell, which are produced at 22nm. Broadwell’s smaller transistors, together with a specially tailored design, should provide very economical processors. The TDPs of the latest generation of Core M processors are therefore a maximum of 4.5W.

Although the first products have already been shown and Intel announces three processors, the actual availability of tablets and laptops with Core M processors will have to be waited until the end of this year. Manufacturers then have the choice between three models, two of which are almost identical. The top model will be the 5Y70, which will have a standard clock speed of 1.1GHz with turbo to 2.6GHz. The 5Y10a and 5Y10 are both clocked at 0.8GHz with turbo to 2GHz, but the 5Y10 can be configured at a slightly lower TDP. By default, all Core M processors have a TDP of 4.5W. This should make it possible to cool them completely passively. Very economical laptops can therefore become thinner and lighter.

The Broadwell chips are produced at 14nm and are placed on one chip package together with the pch, the former south bridge. That circuit board is almost half the size of the ‘near-socs’ of Haswell processors. The PC has, among other things, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports, SATA 600 connections and PCI Express lanes. The GPU makes up a significant part of the chips and shares 4MB L3 cache with the CPU cores. Thanks to the smaller production process, batteries should last considerably longer, while the chips should still perform better according to Intel’s benchmarks despite lower clock speeds and lower TDPs. However, the reality is of course strongly related to the chosen comparison material and the benchmarks.