Intel’s 10th gen 10nm ‘Ice Lake’ processor offers AI apps, new graphics and best connectivity

After a long wait, Intel has officially launched its first 10th generation core processors, code-named ‘Ice Lake’. The first batch contains 11 highly integrated 10nm processors which showcases high-performance artificial intelligence (AI) features and is designed for sleek 2 in 1s and laptops.

The ‘Ice Lake’ processors are manufactured on Intel’s 10nm processor and consist of the 14nm chipset in the same carrier. It includes two or four Sunny Cove cores along with Intel’s Gen 11 Graphics processing unit (GPU). The 10nm measure of the processor indicates the size of the transistors used. The 10 nanometer miniscule length also shows the power of the transistor as it is considered that smaller the transistor, better is its power consumption.

Read More: Intel unveils the first 3D Logic Chip packaging technology, ‘Foveros’, powering its new 10nm chips, ‘Sunny Cove’

Chris Walker, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Mobility Client Platforms in the Client Computing Group says that “With broad-scale AI for the first time on PCs, an all-new graphics architecture, best-in-class Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) and Thunderbolt 3 – all integrated onto the SoC, thanks to Intel’s 10nm process technology and architecture design – we’re opening the door to an entirely new range of experiences and innovations for the laptop.”

Intel was supposed to ship the 10nm processors, way back in 2016. Intel CEO Bob Swan says that the delay was due to the “company’s overly aggressive strategy for moving to its next node.”

Intel has also introduced a new processor number naming structure for the 10th generation ‘Ice Lake’ processors which indicates the generation and the level of graphics performance of the processor.

Image source: Intel

What’s new in the 10th generation Intel core processors?

Intelligent performance

The 10th generation core processors are the first purpose-built processors for AI on laptops and 2 in 1s. They are built for modern AI-infused applications and contains many features such as:

• Intel Deep Learning Boost, used for specifically boosting flexibility to run complex AI workloads. It has a dedicated instruction set that accelerates neural networks on the CPU for maximum responsiveness.

• Up to 1 teraflop of GPU engine compute for sustained high-throughput inference applications

• Intel’s Gaussian & Neural Accelerator (GNA) provides an exclusive engine for background workloads such as voice processing and noise prevention at ultra-low power, for utmost battery life.
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New graphics

With the Iris Plus graphics, the 10th generation core processors imparts double graphic performance in 1080p and higher-level content creation in 4K video editing, application of video filters and high-resolution photo processing.

• This is the first time that Intel’s Graphics processing unit (GPU) will support VESA’s Adaptive Sync* display standard. It enables a smoother gaming experience across games like Dirt Rally 2.0* and Fortnite*.
• According to Intel, this is the industry's first integrated GPU to incorporate variable rate shading for better rendering performance, as it uses the Gen11 graphics architecture.
•  The 10th generation core processors supports the BT.2020* specification, hence it is possible to view a 4K HDR video in a billion colors.

Best connectivity

With improved board integration, PC manufacturers can innovate on form factor for sleeker designs with Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) connectivity and up to four Thunderbolt 3 ports. Intel claims this is the “fastest and most versatile USB-C connector available.”

In the first batch of 11 'Ice Lake' processors, there are 6 Ice Lake U series and 5 Ice Lake Y series processors. Given below is the complete Ice Lake processors list.

Image Source: Intel

Intel has revealed that laptops with the 10th generation core processors can be expected in the holiday season this year. The post also states that they will soon release additional products in the 10th generation Intel core mobile processor family due to increased needs in computing. The upcoming processors will “deliver increased productivity and performance scaling for demanding, multithreaded workloads.”  

Users love the new 10th generation core processor features and are especially excited about the Gen 11 graphics.

https://twitter.com/Tribesigns/status/1133284822548279296

https://twitter.com/Isaacraft123/status/1156982456408596481

Many users are also expecting to see the new processors in the upcoming Mac notebooks.

https://twitter.com/ChernSchwinn1/status/1157297037336928256

https://twitter.com/matthewmspace/status/1157295582844575744

Head over to the Intel newsroom page for more details.

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