Intel Unveils 6 new Low-power Gemini Lake chips for Mobile and Desktop
Intel’s first Gemini Lake based processors are here. The lineup includes six entry-level chips, three aimed at desktops and three aimed at notebooks. The new models not only offer significant performance boost over the previous generation, but they also introduce features that will only be available in the high-end market segment with Cannon Lake.
Intel Gemini Lake Based Pentium Silver and Celeron Lineup for 2018
Intel Gemini Lake succeeds the company’s Apollo Lake processors, which launched last year. The platform is based on the new 14nm Goldmont Plus core, bringing more cache and faster memory.
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With Gemini Lake, Intel has also adopted a new naming convention that could help differentiate between the cheaper, low-power Atom processors and higher performance Core variants. Now an Atom-based Pentium is called Pentium Silver, while the one based on the Core architecture is called Pentium Gold.
In case of a Celeron however, you will still have to look at the model number to tell whether it’s Core-based or not. It goes something like this:
- Pentium Gold = Cheaper version of an Intel Core chip
- Pentium Silver = High-performance cousin of an Atom chip
- Celeron G = Even cheaper Core
- Celeron N or J-series = The new Atom
Intel Gemini Lake Desktop (J) and Mobile (N) Chips
| Pentium Silver J500S | Celeron J4105 | Celeron J4005 | Pentium Silver N5000 | Celeron N4100 | Celeron N4000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Process node | 14nm | 14nm | 14nm | 14nm | 14nm | 14nm |
| Cores | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Threads | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| Base speed | 1.50GHz | 1.50GHz | 2.00GHz | 1.10GHz | 1.10GHz | 1.10GHz |
| Maximum speed | 2.80GHz | 2.50GHz | 2.70GHz | 2.70GHz | 2.40GHz | 2.60GHz |
| Cache | 4MB | 4MB | 4MB | 4MB | 4MB | 4MB |
| Graphics | UHD Graphics 605 | UHD Graphics 600 | UHD Graphics 600 | UHD Graphics 605 | UHD Graphics 600 | UHD Graphics 600 |
| Min Graphics speed | 250MHz | 250MHz | 250MHz | 200MHz | 200MHz | 200MHz |
| Max graphics speed | 800MHz | 750MHz | 700MHz | 750MHz | 700MHz | 650MHz |
| Power use | 10 watts | 10 watts | 10 watts | 6 watts | 6 watts | 6 watts |
| Memory type support | DDR4 2,400MHz LPDDR4 2,400MHz | DDR4 2,400MHz LPDDR4 2,400MHz | DDR4 2,400MHz LPDDR4 2,400MHz | DDR4 2,400MHz LPDDR4 2,400MHz | DDR4 2,400MHz LPDDR4 2,400MHz | DDR4 2,400MHz LPDDR4 2,400MHz |
| Max memory support | 8GB (4GB x 2) | 8GB (4GB x 2) | 8GB (4GB x 2) | 8GB (4GB x 2) | 8GB (4GB x 2) | 8GB (4GB x 2) |
Note that the CPU and graphics speeds mentioned above, are all max speeds available on those respective processors.
Further, all Gemini Lake chips now support Gigabit WiFi (802.11ac 2×2 connections with 160 MHz channels). They also feature a new Local Adaptive Contrast Enhancement technology that will adjust the screen’s contrast and brightness so you can better view the content outdoors.
Intel says a Gemini Lake powered device with a 35 Wh battery should be able to get you up to 10 hours of playback on an HD video. You can expect OEMs to showcase these devices at the CES 2018 technology expo in early January.