What is 10th Generation Processor? Benefits & Drawbacks

What is 10^th Generation Processor?

The 10th generation processor refers to Intel’s line of central processing units (CPUs) based on the “Ice Lake” architecture, which was released in 2019.

These processors feature improvements in clock speed, thermal design power (TDP), and integrated graphics compared to their predecessors, and they are designed to offer better performance, power efficiency, and security for a variety of computing applications, including gaming, content creation, and productivity.

The 10th generation processor line includes a range of options for laptops, desktops, and workstations, with varying core counts and clock speeds to suit different needs and budgets.

These processors are compatible with the latest motherboards and support advanced features such as Thunderbolt 3, Wi-Fi 6, and Intel Optane Memory, making them a popular choice among PC enthusiasts, gamers, and professionals who demand high performance and reliability from their computing systems.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The significant update and advanced features of this lineup makes the 10^th generation processors more power efficient and capable enough to support Artificial Intelligence and graphically intense workloads.
• The higher speed, Wi-Fi 6 support, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, 4K HDR support and other improved features make these processors work very well for both desktop and laptop computers.
• The developed architecture of these processors allows using more advanced memory and its increased bandwidth helps in performing specialized tasks playing high-end games on the computer.
• The high cost, hardware and software compatibility issues and limited availability are some downsides of the 10the generation processors.

Understanding 10^th Generation Processor

Intel’s 10^th generation core processor is more updated, has more features, and smaller in size. When used, it will ensure better performance.

This powerful processor ensures more efficient functioning with less power consumption than required, normally, by other types of processors.

The consequence of all these: the life span of the battery is enhanced.

Intel has launched the 10^th generation processor which is upgraded to a new architectural structure.

The manufacturer has ideally altered the 14 nm processor, which was launched in 2014, to make the new 10^th generation processor.

This processor is now 10 nanometer which helps it to function at low power.

Intel has not only changed the processor to 10 nm but also made some notable changes in the features of these core chips.

It is due to the Thunderbolt 3 support that is built in the new CPUs that has made the PC manufacturers to input this in the laptops.

Ideally, when you consider all different types of processors, the model number in Intel is hard to understand or follow.

However, there is a significant aspect of the Core processors. This specification represents the brand in its different designations namely:

• i3
• i5 and
• i7.

These designations are related to the brand modifier.

Therefore, a processor becomes more powerful when the number is on the higher side in the modifier, and this is what the latest 10^th generation core processor signifies.

This means that, in the 10^th generation processor, there are different significations for different digits in the SKU, the short form of Stock Keeping Unit.

This is ideally, the number that indicates the level of graphics available and supported by the chip.

An example will make things very clear to you. For instance, consider the Core i7-1065G7 processor.

From this model number you can come to know these facts at a glance:

• The term ‘Core’ indicates that the processor belongs to the Core family
• The i7 indicates the brand modifier
• The digit 10 represents that it is a 10th Generation processor and the
• Digit 67 denotes its SKU number.

The last part of the model number, G7, indicates the highest graphics level of the chip that is available.

Considering the features of the new 10^th generation core processor, these new chips support more advanced Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.

This revolutionary Wi-Fi technology, which will be available commercially very soon, is built with a few advanced and high-speed components.

This allows faster data transfer with the capacity of functioning for several devices together.

Graphics and Other Features 

The graphics performance has also been improvised in the 10^th generation core chips.

The integrated graphics card is more upgraded as compared to the other graphics card.

For example, if you consider the Intel Iris Pro-graphics, it is the latest version and is used for smooth 1080p gaming. This highly sophisticated graphics card helps in playing games like:

• Fortnite
• Dirt Rally 2 and more.

This is due to the higher efficiency of the 4K processor which also helps in video and photo editing, apart from playing games, uninterruptedly.

As for the other features of this chip it is noted that:

The processor also supports VESA’s Adaptive Sync which significantly helps in running the frames uninterruptedly.

This feature is very useful because it reduces the chances of screen tearing on compatible display systems.

Intel has also added AI, or Artificial Intelligence, in the 10^th generation core chips.

This is in addition to the instructions in DLB or Deep Learning Boosts. This feature helps in smoother, better and more efficient functioning of AI.

There are many advantages of the 10the generation processor.

Therefore, upgrade your PC with a 10^th generation processor or buy a laptop that comes with one.

Intel has announced its 10th Generation desktop processors recently and dubbed it Comet Lake-S.

There is a series of improved features included in this chip and some of these features are very surprising.

It is these features that make this chip so great and is favored by the PC builders and anyone looking to buy the best prebuilt desktop computer, alike.

On April 30 this year, Intel launched the new Comet Lake chips for the desktop and later on came up with the Comet Lake mobile CPUs for the laptops, mobile devices and other types of smaller computers.

This latest inclusion in the lineup of Intel Core processors is one of the best amongst its recent generations.

The best part of this chip, apart from those already mentioned above, is the AI, or Artificial Intelligence.

Adding this feature to the processor has enabled the manufacturers to add a dedicated instruction set into it.

This set, called the DLB or Deep Learning Boost, helps in carrying out the AI workloads by the chip most efficiently.

The Series

As of now, there are eleven series of the 10the generation processor built for laptops and also the two-in-ones.

These eleven chips are broken down into five low power Y series and six high-performance U series.

Each of these chips is spread across a number of cores of the i3, i5 and i7 processors.

As for the U series and its various forms, the specifications of each are as follows:

• Core i7-1068G7 – It has Intel Iris Plus graphics, 4 cores and 8 threads. The clock speed of it is 2.3 GHz, with 3.6 GHz for all cores and 4.1 GHz for a single core. It comes with 8 MB cache memory with a TDP of 28 watts.
• Core i7-1065G7 – It also has Intel Iris Plus graphics and 4 cores and 8 threads. However, the clock speed of it is 1.3 GHz, with 3.5 GHz for all cores and 3.9 GHz for a single core. It comes with 8 MB cache memory but the TDP ranges between 15 to 25 watts.
• Core i5-1035G7 – This has the same specification as the previous two when it comes to the graphics, cores and threads. The clock speed however is different, and is up to 1.2 GHz, with 3.3 GHz for all cores and 3.7 GHz for a single core. The cache memory is also lower at 6 MB, but the TDP ranges between 15 and 25 watts.
• Core i5-1035G4 – With the same type of graphics card, core and thread numbers, this chip has a clock speed of 1.1 GHz, with 3.3 GHz for all cores and 3.7 GHz for a single core. It comes with 6 MB cache memory along with a TDP ranging between 15 to 25 watts.
• Core i5-1035G1 – Almost similar to the above four variants of the U series, but with an Intel UHD graphics card, it comes with a cache memory of 6 MB and TDP of 15 to 25 watts. However, the clock speed is 1.0 GHz, with 3.3 GHz for all cores and 3.7 GHz for a single core.
• Core i3-1005G1 – This last U series chip comes with an Intel UHD graphics card, two cores, four threads, 4 MB cache and 15 watts TDP. The clock speed of this chip is also different from the others standing at 1.2 GHz, with 3.4 GHz for all cores and the same for a single core as well.

On the other hand, the Y series processors have the following specs according to its different types:

• Core i7-1060G7 – It comes with Intel Iris Plus graphics along with 4 cores and 8 threads. The clock speed of this chip is 1.0 GHz, with 3.4 GHz for all cores and 3.8 GHz for a single core. It has 8 MB cache memory with a TDP ranging between 9 and 12 watts.
• Core i5-1030G7 – This has the same specifications as the Core i7-1060G7 but the cache memory is 6 MB and the clock speed is 0.8 GHz, with 3.2 GHz for all cores and 3.5 GHz for a single core.
• Core i5-1030G4 – This is the same as Core i5-1030G7 in all respects except in the clock speed which is 0.7 GHz, with 3.2 GHz for all cores and 3.5 GHz for a single core.
• Core i3-1000G4 – This comes with Intel Iris Plus graphics but has 2 cores and 4 threads. The clock speed of this chip is 1.1 GHz, with 3.2 GHz for all cores and 3.2 GHz for a single core. It has 4 MB cache memory with a TDP of 9 watts.
• Core i3-1000G1 – Finally, this last Y series chip comes with an Intel UHD graphics card. It has two cores and four threads with a 4 MB cache and 9 watts TDP. The clock speed of this chip is however the same as the Core i3-1000G4 at 1.1 GHz, with 3.2 GHz for all cores or a single core.

Looking at the specifications of both the U and Y series of the 10^th generation processors, it can be said that all these come with a lot of cores.

When you consider some other variants of this family, for example the Core i9-10900K, this is considered to be one of the top processors that come with as many as 10 cores and 20 threads.

The more the number of cores, the more instructions will be processed by the system concurrently. This will in turn increase the speed and performance of the computer.

The 10^th generation processor is good at it because it overcomes the challenges that are faced by the other types of processors. These challenges include:

• The software is not advanced enough to take the full advantage of the number of cores and
• The systems need much more power even if it tries to do it.

The CPU can perform any work type and take on any workload when you use heavy and complicated apps for photo or video editing or playing games.

Additional Features

The core of the processor will handle it all most effectively.

In addition to that, the other features of the 10^th generation processors that will help in enhancing the performance level of the machines even further include:

• Hyper-Threading – This will help in splitting a single core into two virtual cores to process any given instructions faster.
• New motherboards – The new LGA1200 socket on the new motherboards is easily identifiable due to its precise designations. This includes Z490, H470, B460, and H410.
• Integrated heat spreader – Also known as IHS, this feature in the processor helps in improving the heat transfer efficiency of the system. This will keep the system cooler and prevent it from being physically damaged and functioning at a lower level.
• Heat control ability – The chip comes with a unique ability to turn off the hyperthreading based on the condition of the cores. If there is more heat generated then, instead of one core performing like two, one core will function like one. Fewer working cores will reduce the heat generated.

With all these features included, the 10^th generation core processor is optimized with useful and compatible hardware and software that will help any user to maximize its performance.

It is this aspect that makes this chip most suitable to use in those sophisticated mega-core machines.

Benefits of 10^th Generation Processor

1. Power of 10

The new Intel core 10^th Generation processor is designed for improvised performances and entertainment.

It works wonderfully on laptops and desktop computers with its ten times powerful and improved features that include 5.3 GHz, Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt 3 technologies, 4K HDR, Intelligent system optimization, and GPU architecture.

2. Faster

The speed of this latest processor is much more as compared to that of the other processors.

This ensures better and faster encoding with compatible software and also supports the AI performance of the chip giving an added advantage to it.

3. Applications

The fast and wide performing ability of the Intel Sunny Core in this 10^th Generation chip increases the Instructions Per Clock or IPC by up to 18% compared to other traditional core chips. It is useful for different applications.

4. Better performance

Application will perform far better when you use this power processor due to the Dynamic 2.0 feature in the chip.

This will manage all of the different functions more effectively, and, at the same time, will govern the Turbo Boost capacity.

5. Better features

The 10^th Generation chip comes with useful and more advanced features such as the Thunderbolt 3 and Wi-Fi 6.

The Thunderbolt 3 in the processor helps in saving the internal space of the laptop apart from providing more useful functionality.

On the other hand, the Wi-Fi 6 wireless network, which was previously known as 802.11ax, will ensure a faster speed of data transfer at 2.4 GHz.

It will also provide adequate support while juggling with multiple devices while maintaining a stable operating frequency of 5 GHz at the same time.

6. Supports faster memory

The innovative features and developed architecture of this specific chip will support faster and more advanced memory such as the LPDDR4X RAM.

The increased bandwidth of more than 50% will also enable playing high-end games on the computer.

7. Performing specialized tasks

The additional amount of memory will be an advantage when you perform specialized and complex tasks.

Ideally, an LPDDR3 memory will have a limitation for both bandwidth and memory amount.

This means that the laptops will use the maximum of 16 GB RAM, which is mostly enough for general use.

However, for those who are into editing photos and videos need to use apps with large memory footprints.

This will need much more RAM which can be increased by using LPDDR4X RAM that is supported by this 10^th Generation processor.

8. Integrated graphics

The integrated graphics of this chip will significantly support faster and high-end gaming.

The upgraded 10^th Generation chips are however one step forward. According to Intel, the new Gen 11 graphics in the 10^th Generation processor can reach up to 1 Teraflop of performance. It also supports 1080p gaming.

9. Portability

The 10^th Generation processor is most suited for the laptops due to its portable systems.

This chip will not have any embedded DRAM in order to get the highest graphics performance.

As per Intel Gen 11, it outperforms the previous Iris Plus Graphics without any use of e-DRAM.

This is great to use by the gamers and good for the creators as well.

The updated chip gets the support of the VESA Adaptive Sync which makes gaming much smoother using this 10^th Generation chip.

Drawbacks of it

10. Not for all users

The 10^th Generation chip is not for all users in spite of its high speed. This is not much to support all tasks.

Moreover, the AI performance is an added advantage but it supports only the apps.

The speed of encoding entirely depends on the software used and its compatibility.

11. Need for external GPU

Though the integrated graphics and Adaptive Sync used in the 10^th Generation Core processor is great for better and smoother gaming, it is not enough to support the new games on 1080p.

If you want to play these games smoothly in a device that uses the 10^th Generation chip, you will need to use an external GPU with your laptop.

12. The cost factors

The new LPDDR4X RAM used to upgrade this chip surely improves the functionality and performance but with it comes the additional cost.

This will add to the cost of the laptop computers, making them much more expensive.

13. Availability

The availability of the 10^th Generation chips is far too less in the market as of now and therefore cannot be used for general purposes in schools and offices.

Most of them will settle for an 8^th Generation chip and computer that is easily available in the market, less costly and can be used for various purposes.

Ideally, the 10^th Generation laptops are the best systems for gaming and for performing sophisticated tasks.

14. Hardware and software

Ideally, the shift to the 10^th Generation processor and computers will be gradual.

This is because the processor will not perform just as it is desired unless the system has proper hardware and compatible software which are high in performance, and making changes in these components involves both cost and time.

Final Words

There is no wonder that the 10^th Generation Core processor is poised to make a significant impact in the computing industry and computer world.

It is not late when most users will upgrade their systems with this powerful chip.