An excellent CPU for building entry-level and mid-range laptops is the Core i5-4210U. This semiconductor crystal 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 boast excellent autonomy.
What products is this chip for?
This chip is focused on the creation of entry-level and mid-level mobile PCs. If the computer system has only one graphics card integrated into the CPU, then this is an entry-level solution. Well, in the case of using an additional discrete accelerator, this is already a mid-range solution. On the one hand, the Intel Core i5-4210U boasts a modest base clock speed of 1.7 GHz. 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 geta balanced solution for building almost any entry-level and even mid-range 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 the CPU. The processor in this case is non-removable. It is soldered directly to the motherboard. On the one hand, this makes it impossible to repair or upgrade by replacing the CPU. 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 today's most advanced manufacturing processes is used in the production of the Core i5-4210U. Its characteristics indicate that technical tolerances of 22 nm are used. Well, the semiconductor crystal itself is manufactured using a well-established and time-tested technology - TriGate. Its essence lies in the fact that instead of film transistors, their three-dimensional counterparts are already being used. This allows you to significantly increase the number of usable silicon wafers at the output and reduce the final cost of products.
Fast memory
Like any other modern processor from Intel, this product boasts a three-level cache. Its first level has a rigid specialization. Heis divided into 2 equal parts of 64 Kb, which are territorially located as close as possible to the computing modules. In the future, each of these parts is divided into 2 parts of 32 Kb each. 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 with the only difference that in this case there is no strict division into memory for data and memory for instructions. Otherwise, it is divided into 2 parts of 256 KB, which are again 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 RAM controller. At the same time, it can even work in dual-channel mode if there are two or four RAM sticks at once. Supported memory types are DDR3. RAM clock speeds - 1333 MHz or 1600 MHz. Slower speed sticks are not recommended, and faster modules will operate at lower frequencies.
Heat pack
It should be noted right away that this semiconductor crystal, in addition to computing units, also contains a built-in RAM controller and an integrated graphics accelerator. Therefore, in the backgroundWith such specifications, the declared thermal package of 15 W for the Intel Core i5-4210U looks very impressive. This value has been achieved thanks to 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 a fairly demanding toy on it, 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 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 chip belongs to a family of chips codenamed "Haswell". It consists of two 64-bit computing modules, each of which can process 4 instructions in one cycle of its work. At the software level, in this case, the HyperTrading technology is implemented. With its help, 2 computing units are already transformed 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
This chip containsalso the graphics accelerator HD Graphics 4400 from Intel. This graphical solution can be addressed by a maximum of 2 GB of RAM, which will be "allocated" from the PC's RAM. Its clock frequencies can vary in the range from 200 MHz to 1 GHz. Its capabilities are sufficient only for solving 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 immediately report $ 300 and purchase a laptop immediately with an additional discrete video card.
Acceleration
The base clock frequency, as noted earlier, is 1.7 GHz for the Core i5-4210U. Support for proprietary technology from Intel, called TurboBoost, allows you to increase this value by 1 GHz. That is, in the regular 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 system bus clock frequency. 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 be able to cope with the increased heat load. This can eventually lead to computer failure.
Price
The Core i5-4210U itself is valued at $281 by the manufacturer represented by Intel. If we 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, the integrated graphics accelerator will be used and the laptop willshow 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 computing system will be equipped with a discrete graphics card, and its performance level 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. From a performance standpoint, those laptop models that are equipped with a discrete graphics accelerator are preferable. But the cost in this case will be higher by $ 300. Otherwise, this is an excellent chip, which simply has no weaknesses.
Results
Balanced both in terms of performance and energy efficiency is the Core i5-4210U. Based on it, entry-level or mid-range mobile PCs are created, which, for their niches, boast an excellent combination of price and performance.
