What's the point of intel's core "U" processors?

[-Slacker-]

What's the point of those 17w ulp i cores with low clocks, like the i5-3427? From what I can tell, they're not really a different product, just downclocked versions of what already exists. You could just get a regular "M" chip and manually underclock it, right?

 

[Charles Kozierok]

"U" is for "ultrabook". It's all marketing and segmentation.

 

[sm625]

You could just get a regular "M" chip and manually underclock it, right?

Pretty much. I bet even the U chips can be underclocked and/or undervolted even more. It's all just a way to squeeze a few extra $$...

Since intel is making chips have configurable TDP, there should be no reason to have these parts at all. But it looks like so far the configurable range for TDP is only a few watts. I was expecting it would be more adjustable than that. I'd like the option to run fanless on a desktop pc...

 

[ShintaiDK]

What's the point of those 17w ulp i cores with low clocks, like the i5-3427? From what I can tell, they're not really a different product, just downclocked versions of what already exists. You could just get a regular "M" chip and manually underclock it, right?

Its different binned. Just like the 3770K is the same chip as a 3450.

Plus a max of 17W TDP is what you design for in thin laptops/ultrabooks.

You could _maybe_ underclock a regular M chip. But its not certain, nor would it pass actual validation tests. You running prime95 or whatever aint validation and correct stressing.

 

[-Slacker-]

I suppose you do get the benefit of a more proper "factory downclock", but then I'd call every argument in favor as little more than grasping at straws.

 

[Ferzerp]

I suppose you do get the benefit of a more proper "factory downclock", but then I'd call every argument in favor as little more than grasping at straws.

You're mistaken here. The downclock isn't what needs validation. Whether or not a given chip will operate at the lower voltage does though.

 

[-Slacker-]

I figured you could lower the voltage by a wide margin, provided that you also lower the clocks enough (not saying I'm right, it's just what I thought).

 

[TuxDave]

I figured you could lower the voltage by a wide margin, provided that you also lower the clocks enough (not saying I'm right, it's just what I thought).

If you're unlucky some digital circuits won't work at a low voltage no matter how much time you give it.

 

[Ferzerp]

You have to realize that these are going to be pretty aggressively undervolted from the mainstream parts to obtain the really low power usage. Not all the chips are going to make it. It's like saying buying a faster clock speed is silly because you can just overclock it.

Well, maybe you can, and maybe you can't.

 

[mikk]

"U" is for "ultrabook". It's all marketing and segmentation.

Or for ultra low voltage. Often called as ULV.

 

[ALIVE]

Or for ultra low voltage. Often called as ULV.

that is ulv
that is the meaning of the u series
and the point is that intel quaranties that the chip will use only 17watt at that speed
you may take a chip and underclock and undervold but you may reach that levels you may not
and by the way this is a laptop cpu
as far i know most of the laptop do not give you any option at the bios
at least hewlet backard i have
so i do not see how you will do the undervolt underclock

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Yes, the "U" traditionally stood for "ULV", which is itself often a misnomer these days (it's about TDP, not the voltage per se, though obviously they are closely related.)