The Intel Core family of streamlined midrange central processor units (CPUs) for consumer, workstation and enthusiast computers is sold by Intel Corporation. At the time of their debut, these CPUs replaced the mid-to-high-end Pentium processors, pushing the Pentium to the entry level. For the server and workstation markets, Core CPUs are also offered as Xeon processors in identical or enhanced variants.
The complete array of Intel’s second 10-generation processors, dubbed Comet Lake, has been made public. The new range has a number of distinctions from the 10th generation Ice Lake processors, as well as some nice advancements that make it worthwhile to consider in the long term. The new SKUs are also part of Intel Project Athena, which intends to improve a few key aspects of laptop functionality in order to make them always-on connectivity devices. Now let’s examine the main features of the new 10-generation Intel Core CPUs made for laptops and 2-in-1 devices.
12th Gen Intel Core i10 Processors: Everything You Need To Know
All of the new processor SKUs are part of the U-series or Y-series lineups, which are both intended for usage in ultra-portable or power-efficient laptops and convertibles. The Core i7-10710U, which introduces a six-core CPU to the Intel U-series for the first time, is the top SKU in the U-series. Even though they have six cores and are of the tenth generation, the new processors will not include Intel Gen11 graphics and will instead continue to use previous graphics processors. This means that the new processors presented here are exclusively intended for online work, mid-level productivity, or content consumption.
The other two SKUs are Core i5 and Core i7 variations, with the exception of the Core i3-10110U (which has a dual-core design). Both of these have quad-core architectures, comparable graphics capabilities, and support for LPDDR4, LPDDR3, and DDR4 memory chips.
Significant Improvement in Performance
The improvement in total performance may be more significant; according to Intel, the flagship chip has a 41 percent quicker productivity rate and a 16 percent greater core performance than its predecessors. The Y-series SKUs in the 10th generation Comet Lake portfolio, with the exception of the dual-core i3-10110Y, all feature quad-core configurations. These chips all work well in ultra-thin, ultra-portable laptops, and convertibles and are still all compliant with the LPDDR3 memory standard. All of this results in a big performance improvement, however, it might not be as dramatic of an upgrade for laptops that are less than a year old.
Staying at 14 nm
The Comet Lake series is essentially Intel’s entry-level offering, despite having better cores, threads, and overall performance, which is the only criticism of the new lineup. This indicates that it uses an upgraded version of the 14nm CPU fabrication node rather than the more expensive 10nm fabrication node. The lack of Intel Gen11 graphics due to its 14nm standard detracts somewhat from the shine of the new lineup.
In addition, Intel has announced the commercial availability of its new 10th-generation processor portfolio, claiming that various OEMs would start selling laptops and convertibles equipped with the new Comet Lake CPUs in October, just before the start of the holiday shopping season.
