Intel’s 10th Generation processors whats the differences? upgrade necessary?

Intel's latest Generation line-up of processors aka the 10th Generation Intel Processors are internal codename as Ice Lake (microprocessor). These based on the new Sunny Cove microarchitecture which was expected to replace microprocessors based on the Skylake microarchitecture in 2019 and 2020.

Intel 10th Generation Ice Lake microprocessor are based on Intel's 10nm lithography semiconductor manufacturing process previously Cannon Lake microprocessor where the Intel's first 10nm manufactured on the 10nm manufacturing process technology in the year 2018.

Ice Lake 2019, 2020 aka 10th Generation Intel® Processors quick summary


L1cache80 KiB per core
(32 instructions + 48 data)
L2 cache512 KiB per core
L3 cacheUp to 8 MiB, shared
Transistors10 nm transistors
Architecturex86-64
Instructionsx86-64
ExtensionsMMX,AES-NI,CLMUL,FMA3
SSE,SSE2,SSE3,SSSE3,SSE4,SSE4.1,SSE4.2
AVX,AVX2,AVX-512,SHA,TXT,TSX,SGX
VT-x,VT-d
PredecessorDesktop:Coffee Lake(2nd 14nm Optimization)
Mobile:Cannon Lake(10nm Process)
Mobile:Whiskey Lake(3rd 14nm Optimization)
Server:Cooper Lake(14nm)
SuccessorTiger Lake(Optimization)
GPUGen11
SuccessorIce Lake(Architecture)
GPUFactory disabled

10th Gen Intel® Core™ mobile processors has built in AI 

Artificial intelligence technologies like Intel® Deep Learning Boost (Intel® DL Boost) that improve video conferencing experiences, add to creative potential, and introduce extraordinary capabilities.

Intel® Select Solution for AI Inferencing Solution Brief - The resources needed to support inferencing on deep neural networks can be substantial. These operational needs typically drive organizations to update their hardware. However, investing in single-purpose hardware for inferencing can leave you exposed if your computational needs change before your expected refresh. High performance and speed for AI inferencing, coupled with the flexibility of the Intel® hardware that your IT department is already familiar with, can help protect your IT investments. The Intel® Select Solution for AI inferencing is a "turnkey platform" solution for low-latency, high-throughput inference performed on a CPU, not a separate accelerator card. It provides you with a jumpstart to deploying efficient AI inferencing algorithms on a solution composed of validated Intel® architecture building blocks that you can innovate on and take to market. To do so, this solution makes use of a feature of 2nd Generation Intel® Xeon® Scalable processors, Intel® Deep Learning Boost (Intel® DL Boost), which accelerates AI inference by performing in one instruction inferencing calculations that previously took multiple instructions. Read complete document on Intel's official website  at https://www.intel.in/content/dam/www/public/us/en/documents/solution-briefs/accelerate-ai-inferencing-brief.pdf#zoom=100


10th Gen Intel® Core™ mobile processors has integrated Intel® Wi-Fi 6 and Thunderbolt™ 3 technology

The Wi-Fi demands of your digital life keep expanding with more connected devices and higher-bandwidth needs — like video streaming, gaming, and dealing with increasingly larger file sizes. Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) enabled PCs and wireless networks deliver a generational advance in Wi-Fi performance, traffic management, interference avoidance, and security for best-in-class connectivity.

  • WiFi 6 is 3x Faster - Get nearly 3X faster downloads with 1024 QAM and 160 MHz channels on Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) products.
  • 75% Lower Latency - Experience up to 75% lower latency enabled by OFDMA in Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) products for ultra-responsive, ultra-smooth wireless gameplay, and real-time applications.
  • WPA3 Next-Gen Security - Upgrade wireless authentication and encryption for today's threats with the new WPA3 security on Intel® Wi-Fi 6 products.
  • 4x Higher Bandwidth Capacity - Reliably connect up to 4X more devices and manage them better — Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) products provide plenty of performance headroom.

Wired-Quality Wireless Gaming - Enjoy ultra-responsive wireless PC gameplay and streaming throughout your home. Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) delivers nearly 3X faster Wi-Fi speeds and up to 75% less latency, along with advanced traffic management and interference filtering features for remarkable wireless PC gaming.

More Efficient, Secure Workplaces - Significantly improve WLAN speed, capacity, manageability, and security.2 5 4 Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) enabled PC clients, software telephony, and other collaboration tools let people work better from anywhere with best-in-class wireless performance — and potential hardware cost savings.

A Killer Wireless Gaming Network - Rivet Networks' Killer* Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 module, based on Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) technology, is designed to deliver extraordinarily fast gameplay, incredible streaming, and thoroughly immersive communication experiences.




Ultra-Vivid, Next-Generation Graphics

A new graphics architecture supports incredibly rich and vivid entertainment experiences like 4K HDR and the performance needed for 1080p gaming. 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors with Intel® Iris® Plus graphics and Intel® UHD Graphics bring immersive, visually stunning experiences to laptops.

Entertainment Whenever, Wherever
Intel® has been working with the PC ecosystem to enable you to stream premium UHD content from your favorite providers such as Netflix*, YouTube*, FandangoNow*, and others.

Dolby Vision is supported to provide re-mastered content at a Dolby certified quality level of HDR, with content available on Netflix*, iQiy*, Vudu*, and iTunes*. Further, Dolby Atmos* provides 3D surround sound through USB Audio or headphones.

Intel® UHD graphics gives mainstream gamers the choice to play their favorite games like World of Warcraft* and World of Tanks* in a thin, light and portable system.

Personal, Available
The power optimized quad-core audio DSP provides voice services support. While traveling, you can bring your Amazon Alexa* experience with you – before you go to bed, you can make sure the lights are off at home, and even have Alexa play your favorite music. When you are at home, Cortana* can help you with your personal or work schedule and search your PC for the information that you need.

Designed for Fast-Paced Lives

Enabling the most innovative laptop and 2-in-1 designs with the power of AI, next gen graphics, and best-in-class connectivity,1 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors redefine the laptop experience for those who are always on the go.


Intel 10th Generation processors core i7, core i5 and core i3 variants main differences 

10th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 Processors 


Product NameLaunch Date# of CoresMax Turbo FrequencyProcessor Base FrequencyCacheProcessor Graphics‡
Intel® Core™ i7-1065G7 ProcessorQ3'1943.90 GHz1.30 GHz8 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Intel® Core™ i7-1060G7 ProcessorQ3'1943.80 GHz1.00 GHz8 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Intel® Core™ i7-10710U ProcessorQ3'1964.70 GHz1.10 GHz12 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® UHD Graphics
Intel® Core™ i7-10510U ProcessorQ3'1944.90 GHz1.80 GHz8 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® UHD Graphics
Intel® Core™ i7-10510Y ProcessorQ3'1944.50 GHz1.20 GHz8 MBIntel® UHD Graphics

10th Generation Intel® Core™ i5 Processors


Product NameLaunch Date# of CoresMax Turbo FrequencyProcessor Base FrequencyCacheProcessor Graphics‡
Intel® Core™ i5-1035G7 ProcessorQ3'1943.70 GHz1.20 GHz6 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Intel® Core™ i5-1030G7 ProcessorQ3'1943.50 GHz800 MHz6 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Intel® Core™ i5-1035G4 ProcessorQ3'1943.70 GHz1.10 GHz6 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Intel® Core™ i5-1030G4 ProcessorQ3'1943.50 GHz700 MHz6 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Intel® Core™ i5-1035G1 ProcessorQ3'1943.60 GHz1.00 GHz6 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® UHD Graphics
Intel® Core™ i5-10210U ProcessorQ3'1944.20 GHz1.60 GHz6 MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® UHD Graphics
Intel® Core™ i5-10310Y ProcessorQ3'1944.10 GHz1.10 GHz6 MBIntel® UHD Graphics
Intel® Core™ i5-10210Y ProcessorQ3'1944.00 GHz1.00 GHz6 MBIntel® UHD Graphics

10th Generation Intel® Core ™ i3 Processor

Product nameLaunch DateNumber of CoresMax Turbo FrequencyProcessor Basic FrequencyCacheGraphic Processor‡
Intel® Core ™ i3-1000G4 ProcessorQ3'1923.20 GHz1.10 GHz4MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® Iris® Plus Graphics
Intel® Core ™ i3-1005G1 ProcessorQ3'1923.40 GHz1.20 GHz4MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® UHD Graphics
Intel® Core ™ i3-1000G1 ProcessorQ3'1923.20 GHz1.10 GHz4MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® UHD Graphics
Intel® Core ™ i3-10110U ProcessorQ3'1924.10 GHz2.10 GHz4MB Intel® Smart CacheIntel® UHD Graphics
Intel® Core ™ i3-10110Y ProcessorQ3'1924.00 GHz1.00 GHz4MBIntel® UHD Graphics


Intel 10th Generation processors has two variants : Core™ U-series and Y-series processors

The New 10th Gen Intel® Core™ U-series and Y-series processor families are built with performance and mobility in mind, to power your greatest contribution. Engineered for incredible efficiency in a remarkably thin and light form factors, the New 10th Gen Intel® Core™ processors are delivering performance to handle the things you do regularly – from streaming in HD to getting work done – get the performance that you need without compromising battery life. Be more connected than ever before with the latest incredibly fast wireless and wired standards.

Intel 10th Generation processors U-Series and Y-Series Processor Performance Features


ICE Lake UICE Lake Y
CPU/Memory/Graphics OverclockingNoNo
Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility (Intel® XTU)NoNo
Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology)YesYes
Intel® Smart Cache technology with Last Level Cache (LLC) sharing between Processor and GFx coresYesYes
Intel® Smart Sound Technology (Intel® SST)YesYes
Intel® Gaussian & Neural Accelerator (Intel® GNA) 1.0YesYes
Intel® Turbo Boost Technology 2.0YesYes
Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0NoNo
Intel® Speed Shift TechnologyYesYes
Per core p-statesYesYes
Last Level Cache (LLC)Up to 8MUp to 8M


Intel 10th Gen Intel® Core™ U-Series Processor Feature Benefits

Intel’s 10th Generation processors whats the differences? upgrade necessary? - Techzost blog
Intel’s 10th Generation processors whats the differences? upgrade necessary? - Techzost blog


FeaturesBenefits
CPU10nm CPU / 14nm PCH
GFXGen 11 Intel Graphics Engine, up to 64EU
MemoryDDR4 up to 3200, LPDDR4/x 3733
ImagingEnhanced IPU4p: 16Mp, 4k30, 4 Cameras, RGB+IR camera
Media, Display, AudioEnd to end 10b support: Power optimized HEVC 10 bit encode and VP9 10 bit dec/8 bit encode, 444 format support for HEVC & VP9, 10 bit Display
3 DDI (+1), eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, HW HDR Linear scale & blend, FP16. Outdoor LACE
Programmable Quad-Core Audio DSP, Sound Wire Digital Audio Interface, Intel® Gaussian & Neural Accelerator (Intel® GNA) for low-power neural network acceleration
I/O & ConnectivityIntegrated Wi-Fi*/BT (CNVi AC/Wi-Fi 6 support) - Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2x2/160 MHz, Gig)
Integrated USB Type-C* (USB 3 (10G), Thunderbolt™ 3 technology, DisplayPort 1.4) – up to 4 ports
StorageNext Gen Intel® Optane™ memory SSDs/Memory, PCIe* 3.0, SATA, SD 3.0, eMMC 5.1
SecuritySGX 2.0 with Ecosystem scaling (e.g ROP)
Board Area savingBoard Savings 17 due to IP Integration FIVR (both CPU and PCH), Type-C sub system, HDMI2.0/HDCP2.2, Wi-Fi* (CNVi MAC) etc.

Intel 10th Gen Intel® Core™ Y-Series Processor Feature Benefits

Intel’s 10th Generation processors whats the differences? upgrade necessary? - Techzost blog
Intel’s 10th Generation processors whats the differences? upgrade necessary? - Techzost blog

FeaturesBenefits
CPU10nm Quad Core CPU / 14nm PCH
GFXGen 11 Intel Graphics Engine
GFX: GT2 = up to 64EU2
MemoryLPDDR4/x-3733
ImagingIPU4p: 16Mp, 4k30, 4 Cameras, RGB+IR camera
Media, Display, Audio444 format support for HEVC & VP9, 10 bit Display
eDP 1.4b, DP 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, HW HDR Linear scale & blend, FP16. Outdoor LACE
Intel® Gaussian & Neural Accelerator (Intel® GNA)
I/O & ConnectivityIntegrated Wi-Fi*/BT (CNVi AC/Wi-Fi 6 support) - Intel® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (2x2/160 MHz, Gig+)
Integrated USB Type-C* (USB 3.2 Gen 2x1, Thunderbolt™ 3 technology, DisplayPort 1.4) – up to 3 ports
WWANXMM7360 & XMM7560 M.2
SecuritySGX 2.0 with Ecosystem scaling (e.g ROP)
Board Area SavingAdditional Board Savings 17 with PCH FIVR integration and the above integrations.


Intel 10th Generation processors is upgrade necessary? Verdict: 

The noticeable difference is WiFi 6 and Thunderbolt 3, Which will make your browsing and online gaming experiences seamless only if you have Internet connection of such high speed and Thunderbolt 3 may come much handy if you want to buy external-GPU for some hard core stuff and external adapters and exteral storage needs and of course 10 nm mean smaller die, i.e transistor size. So more number of transistor can fit in same physical form factors which is a bumper in performance. These may not be noticeable in day to day usage, only shown in benchmarks and computational intensive calculations.

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