Intel Core i5-4210U: Features and Feedback

An excellent central processing unit for building notebooks of the initial and intermediate level is the Core i5-4210U. This semiconductor crystal has excellent technical specifications and is able to solve an impressive list of tasks. On the other hand, its high degree of energy efficiency makes it possible to create very, very compact mobile computers, which at the same time can boast excellent autonomy.

For which products is this chip?

The given chip is aimed at creation of mobile PCs of initial and middle level. If the computer system has only one integrated graphics card in the CPU, then this is an entry-level solution. Well, in case of using an additional discrete accelerator, this is already a solution of the average price range. On the one hand, Intel Core i5-4210U - 1.7 GHz boasts a modest basic clock speed. But, depending on the degree of complexity of the program code being executed 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 mobile personal computer of the initial and even average level.

Processor socket

Core i5-4210U is designed for use in the processor socket FCBGA 1168. This socket can be found only on mobile computers. Its important feature is that there is no plastic connector for CPU installation. The processor in this case is not removable. It is soldered directly to the motherboard. On the one hand, it makes repairs or upgrades 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.

Technology of production of silicon crystal

One of the most advanced technological processes to date is used in the production of Core i5-4210U. The characteristics of it indicate that 22-nm tech-runs are used. Well, the semiconductor crystal itself is made using a well-tested and proven technology - TriGate. Its essence lies in the fact that instead of film transistors their three-dimensional analogues are already used. This allows us to significantly increase the number of usable silicon wafers at the output and reduce the final cost of the products.

Fast 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 located geographically close to the computational modules. In the future, each of these parts is divided into 2 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 cache size 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 division into memory for data and memory for instructions. In the rest it is divided into 2 parts of 256 KB, which are again fixed to a certain computing unit. Its overall size, as you might guess, is 512 KB. Well, the third level of fast memory is common in this case, and its size is equal to a solid 3 MB.

RAM

Intel Core i5-4210U is equipped with an integrated memory controller. In this case, it can work even in dual-channel mode with two or four RAM slots at once. The types of memory supported are DDR3. The clock frequency of the operating memory is 1333 MHz or 1600 MHz. Planck with a lower speed is not recommended, and faster modules will operate at lower frequencies.

Thermal package

It should immediately be noted that this semiconductor crystal, in addition to the computational units, also contains a built-in controller of the random access memory and an integrated graphics accelerator. Therefore, against the background of such specifications, the claimed 15W 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 functions in idle mode or when performing the most simple tasks. If you run on it a fairly demanding toy, for example, then its clock frequency will automatically increase to 2.7 GHz. Such a change in the frequency of the semiconductor crystal, on the one hand, allows increasing the energy efficiency of the system, and on the other hand, it varies the performance of the PC and, if necessary, substantially increases its level.

Internal components

This silicon crystal belongs to the family of chips, code-named "Haswell". It consists of two 64-bit computing modules, each of which can process 4 instructions per clock cycle. At the program level, in this case, the technology "HyperTrading" is implemented. With its help, 2 computational units are already converted into 4 streams for information processing. This allows for an additional 15 percent of performance in multi-threaded applications. Also this nuance allows this CPU to pass the test for the necessary level of minimum performance in the most demanding toys.

Graphic accelerator

As part of this chip there is also a graphics accelerator HD Graphics 4400 from Intel. Address this graphic solution can a maximum of 2 GB of RAM, which will "stand out" from the PC's RAM. The clock speeds can vary from 200 MHz to 1 GHz. Its capabilities are sufficient only to solve the most simple problems. But in the case of launching the most demanding toys without a discrete video adapter can not do. In this situation, it is better to report immediately 300 dollars and purchase a laptop right away with an additional discrete video card.

Overclocking

The base clock frequency, as noted earlier, is 1.7 GHz for the Core i5-4210U. The support of the proprietary technology from Intel, which is called TurboBust, allows to increase this value by 1 GHz. That is, in the mode of full-time overclocking, 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 claimed 15 W heat package can be exceeded, and the installed cooling system will not cope with the increased heat load. This can eventually lead to the failure of the computer.

Price

Core i5-4210U manufacturer in the face of "Intel" is estimated at 281 dollars. If you take the cost of mobile PCs based on it, you can find the most affordable models at a price of 600-800 dollars. In this case, an integrated graphics 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. In this case, the computer system will be equipped with a discrete graphics card, and the level of its performance will significantly increase.

Owners of mobile devices based on it

Processors Core i5-4210U provide sufficient level of performance of the mobile PC, based on which they lie. Preferably from the perspective of speed, those notebook models that are equipped with a discrete graphics accelerator. But the cost in this case will be higher by $ 300. In the rest it is an excellent chip, which simply does not have any weaknesses.

Results

Balanced in terms of both performance and energy efficiency is the Core i5-4210U. It is based on the creation of mobile PCs of primary or secondary level, which for their niches can boast of an excellent combination of price and performance.