Intel looks to 'reinvent the notebook' with Core M processor
1 min read
In a move which it believes will help to 'reinvent the notebook', Intel has launched the Core M processor; the fourth generation of its Core processor family.
In particular, the company is responding to momentum in the market for devices selling for less than $700, where it claims sales in Q3 2014 were seven times greater than in the same quarter in 2013. It also claims more than 600million desktop PCs are 'ripe for refresh' and expects users to move towards mobile devices.
Core M processors are designed for application in mobile fanless systems, where power dissipation for a device with an 11.6in screen has to be less than 4.5W. Intel notes the first generation of its low power Core processors had a thermal design power of 18W, adding that not only has power been cut by 60%, the device is also 50% smaller, thanks to an advanced BGA packaging solution.
Intel marketing engineer Simon Lambden said one factor which has limited size and thickness of mobile devices has been the power drawn by the processor. According to Lambden, 4.5W is a 'magic number', allowing device thickness to be reduced to 8mm and requiring no fans.
The Core M processor is manufactured on Intel's 14nm process and features 1.3billion second generation Tri-Gate 3D transistors. With a die size of 82mm2, the dual core part will be available in three variants – the 5Y70, 5Y10a and 5Y10 – with base frequencies ranging from 800MHz to 1.1GHz. All variants include Intel's 5300 graphics processor and the cores share 4Mbyte of L3 cache.
The parts also support Intel's Turbo Boost technology, allowing the top of the range 5Y70 to run at 2.6GHz.
