An excellent central processing unit for building entry-level and mid-range laptops is the Core i5-4210U. This semiconductor chip has excellent technical specifications and is capable of solving an impressive list of tasks. On the other hand, its high degree of energy efficiency allows you to create very, very compact mobile computers, which at the same time boasts excellent autonomy.
What products is this chip for?
This chip is focused on the creation of entry-level and mid-range mobile PCs. If there is only one graphics card integrated into the CPU as part of the computing system, then this is an entry-level solution. Well, in the case of using an additional discrete accelerator, this is already a solution to the middle price range. On the one hand, a modest base clock speed boasts Intel Core i5-4210U - 1.7 GHz. But, depending on the degree of complexity of the executable program code and the temperature of the central processing unit, this element can dynamically raise its frequency to 2.7 GHz. As a result, we get a balanced solution for creating almost any entry-level and even mid-level mobile personal computer.
Processor socket
Core i5-4210U is designed for use in the processor socket FCBGA 1168. This socket can only be found on mobile computers. Its important feature is that there is no plastic connector for installing a CPU. The processor in this case is non-removable. It is soldered directly to the motherboard. On the one hand, this makes repair or modernization by replacing the CPU impossible. But on the other hand, such an engineering approach can significantly reduce the cost of a laptop by eliminating an additional component from the PC and simplifying assembly operations.
Silicon Crystal Production Technology
One of the most advanced technological processes to date is used in the production of Core i5-4210U. Its characteristics indicate that technical approvals of 22 nm are used. Well, the semiconductor crystal itself is manufactured using well-established and time-tested technology - TriGate. Its essence lies in the fact that instead of film transistors, their three-dimensional analogues are already used. This allows you to significantly increase the number of suitable silicon wafers at the exit and reduce the final cost of the products.
Quick memory
Like any other modern processor from Intel, this product boasts a three-level cache. Its first level has a strict specialization. It is divided into 2 equal parts of 64 Kb, which are geographically located as close as possible to the computing modules. In the future, each of these parts is divided into 2 more parts of 32 Kb. One of them is used only for storing instructions of the central processing unit, and the second for data. The total size of the cache of the 1st level in this case is 128 Kb. The second level of fast memory has a similar organization structure, but only with the difference that in this case there is no hard separation into memory for data and memory for instructions. Otherwise, it is divided into 2 parts of 256 KB, which again are assigned to a specific computing unit. Its total size, as you might guess, is 512 Kb. Well, the third level of fast memory in this case is common, and its size is a solid 3 MB.
RAM
Intel Core i5-4210U is equipped with an integrated memory controller. At the same time, it can work even in two-channel mode if there are two or four RAM slots at once. The types of memory supported are DDR3. The clock frequency of RAM - 1333 MHz or 1600 MHz. It is not recommended to install brackets with lower speed, and higher-speed modules will operate at lower frequencies.
Thermal pack
It should be noted right away that this semiconductor chip, in addition to computing units, also contains a built-in random access memory controller and an integrated graphics accelerator. Therefore, against the background of such specifications, the claimed 15 W thermal package for the Intel Core i5-4210U looks very impressive. This value was achieved by a high degree of product optimization, as well as the advanced technological process underlying it.
Frequencies
As noted earlier, the minimum clock speed for the Core i5-4210U is 1700 MHz. In this mode, this chip operates in idle mode or when performing the most simple tasks. If you run a rather demanding toy on it, for example, then its clock frequency will automatically increase to 2.7 GHz. Such a change in the frequency of a semiconductor chip, on the one hand, allows you to increase the energy efficiency of the system, and on the other hand, to vary the performance of the PC and, if necessary, significantly increase its level.
Internal components
This silicon crystal belongs to the chip family, code-named "Haswell." It consists of two 64-bit computing modules, each of which can process 4 instructions per cycle. At the software level, in this case, the HyperTrading technology is implemented. With its help, 2 computing units are already converted into 4 threads for processing information. This allows you to get an additional 15 percent performance in multi-threaded applications. Also, this nuance allows this CPU to pass the test for the required level of minimum performance in the most demanding toys.
Graphics Accelerator
As part of this chip is also a graphics accelerator HD Graphics 4400 from Intel. This graphic solution can be addressed by a maximum of 2 GB of RAM, which will be "allocated" from the RAM of the PC. Its clock frequencies can vary in the range from 200 MHz to 1 GHz. Its capabilities are only enough to solve the most simple tasks. But in the case of launching the most demanding toys, a discrete video adapter is indispensable. In such a situation, it is better to report immediately $ 300 and purchase a laptop immediately with an additional discrete video card.
Overclocking
The base clock frequency, as noted earlier, is 1.7 GHz for the Core i5-4210U. Support for Intel proprietary technology called TurboBust allows this value to be increased by 1 GHz. That is, in the standard overclocking mode, this chip can already operate at a frequency of 2.7 GHz. Theoretically, you can try to increase these values by raising the clock frequency of the system bus. But this is not recommended for the reason that the declared thermal package of 15 W can be exceeded, and the installed cooling system will not cope with the increased heat load. This can ultimately lead to computer failure.
Price
The Core i5-4210U itself by the manufacturer represented by Intel is estimated at $ 281. If you take the cost of mobile PCs based on it, then you can find the most affordable models at a price of 600-800 dollars. In this case, an integrated graphic accelerator will be used, and the laptop will show disgusting results in the most demanding toys. To turn such a mobile PC into a full-fledged gaming center, you need to shell out another 300 dollars. In this case, the computing system will be equipped with a discrete graphics card, and the level of its performance will increase significantly.
Owners about mobile devices based on it
Core i5-4210U processors provide a sufficient level of performance for the mobile PCs they are based on. Preferred from a performance standpoint are those laptop models that are equipped with a discrete graphics accelerator. But the cost in this case will be higher by 300 dollars. The rest is a great chip, which simply has no weaknesses.
Summary
Balanced both in terms of speed and energy efficiency is the Core i5-4210U. On its basis, mobile PCs of the initial or intermediate level are created, which for their niches can boast of an excellent combination of price and performance.