Notebook Processors
In this report we present all laptop processor series which are available at the market at present and give a rough classification of the current consumption and the performance of the different architectures.
An approximate ordering with average benchmark values can be found in our benchmark list of mobile processors.
Intel Core i7 (Clarksfield)
The mobile Core i7 Processor has the Codename Clarksfield and stems from the Desktop Core i5/i7 CPUs but with a slower clock rate (and in exchange a higher maximum Turbo). The Core i7 are monolithic Quad Core CPUs with an integrated memory controller (DDR3) and a combined Level 3 cache. The ALUs haven't changed much since the Core 2 architecture (new SSE commands) but because of the monolithic design, the performance per MHz is a bit better than the Core 2 Quad. Because of the Turbo function (the CPU can overclock single cores, when not all are used and the power consumption stays in limits) the Core i7 can be as fast as high clocked Core 2 Duo Dual Core CPUs (e.g. in single threaded games) and has also the advantage of 4 cores.
More information can be found on our mobile Core i7 (Clarksfield) page.
Intel Core 2 Duo (Merom & Penryn)
The Intel Core 2 Duo processor class is the successor of the Core Duo with a longer pipeline, 64 Bit support, a fourth decoder, an amplified SSE-unit and an additional arithmetical logical unit (ALU). Because of these improvements the Core 2 Duo CPUs should be 5-20% faster than a evenly clocked Core Duo.
As the name suggests, the Core 2 Duo lineup consists out of CPUs with 2 cores. They feature 2, 3, 4 or 6 MB Level 2 Cache (2 and 4 for Merom CPUs, 3 and 6 for Penryn).
Each CPU features eX Bit (Execute Disable Bit) technology, SSSE3 (SSE4), Enhanced Speedstep support. Some models also feature virtualization support (VT or Vanderpool called).
The mobile Core 2 Duo is identical to the desktop Core 2 Duo processors, but the core voltage of the mobile CPUs is lower (0.95 versus 1.188 V e.g.). Furthermore, a lower front side bus (FSB) is used to save power. Therefore, the laptop versions are a bit slower.
The energy need of the processors is marked by pre-set letters in front of the type designation (number).
X ... Extreme (fastest) version with the highest current consumption
E ... >= 55 Watt (Desktop PCs)
T ... 30-39 Watt (Standard laptop CPUs)
P ... max 25 Watt
L ... 12-19 Watt (Low Voltage)
U ... <11.9 Watt (Ultra Low Voltage)
The Core 2 Duo lineup was presented in July 2006 with the Merom core which is produced in 65nm for Socket P and Socket M. In Summer 2007, the Santa Rosa update has been published with minimal improvements (like the faster FSB 800 and Dynamic Acceleration - the overclocking of one core, when the other one is idle). In January 2008 Penryn and in late 2008 Penryn refresh cores where introduced in 45nm. Furthermore, the architecture was slightly enhanced for Penryn which leads to a lower power consumption and a slightly improved performance. For example, Penryn got a faster division unit and 47 new SSE orders (SSE4 called).
A detailled list of Core 2 Duo processors and more in depth information can be found in the Intel Core 2 Duo Notebook Processor article.
Intel Core 2 Extreme (Merom, Penryn)
The fastest Core 2 Duo variants of Intel are called Core 2 Extreme. Technically, these processors are based on a Merom/Penryn (X9000) core like all other Core 2 Duo processors, too. The two differences to the normal Core 2 Duo CPUs is the higher TDP (of 44W) and that the multiplicator is not fixed (for easy overclocking).
All models and more in depth information can be found on the Core 2 Extreme model page.
Intel Core 2 Solo (Merom, Penryn)
This is the successor of the Core Solo and technically a Core 2 Duo with only one core. It will be available for laptops starting with the 3. quarter 2007 and at the start only as an Ultra Low Voltage (ULV). In 2009 CULV Core Solo CPUs with low clock rates were launched for cheap and thin notebooks. The performance of these single core CPUs lies between the entry level Pentium Dual-Core and Intel Atom CPUs.
Intel Pentium Dual-Core
The Intel Pentium Dual-Core Series is placed beyond the Core 2 Duo Line and consits out of Dual-Core CPUs with a lower clock rate and less Level 2 Cache (1MB) than the Core 2 Duo CPUs. Therefore, the performance is worse than a similar clocked Core 2 Duo and on par with the AMD Turion X2 line (perhaps even slighlty better).
For more information please look at our Pentium Dual-Core CPU page with benchmarks and technical information.
Intel Core Duo (Yonah)
The Intel Core Duo (Yonah core) is the successor of the Pentium M CPU. It features two processor cores (based on the Pentium M architecture) with 2x 1024 MB L2 Cache. The maximum TDP of 31 W is only 4 W higher than the TDP of single core Pentium M. Thanks to speedstep each core can be automatically and independently downclocked in steps to 1 GHz. In addition, the Core Duo now supports SSE3 instructions.
The performance of the Core Duo CPU is at least as fast as a equivalent clocked Pentium M. When using applications that can profit from both cores, the performance can be up to 90% faster (e.g. CineBench around 86% faster).
The Yonah core was later reused for early Pentium Dual Core models (e.g. T2060 or T2080).
For more information on the Core Duo, please refer to the Core Duo laptop CPU page.
Intel Core Solo
Single core version of the Core Duo and successor of the Intel Pentium M; Because of the 65nm reduced structure width also smaller current consumption than Pentium M (maximally 27 Watts); the performance is comparable with the equivalent clocked Pentium M (somewhat faster because of a few improvements).
Models:
T1200 mit 1.50 GHz, FSB 667 MHz, 2MB L2 Cache
T1300 with 1,66 GHz 2MB L2 Cache
T1350 with 1.86 GHz, FSB 533 MHz, 2MB L2 Cache (about the same level like Pentium M 750)
T1400 mit 1.83 GHz, FSB 667 MHz, 2MB L2 Cache
Ultra low voltage models (maximum 5.5 Watt):
U1300 mit 1.06 GHz, FSB 667 MHz, 2MB L2 Cache
U1400 mit 1.20 GHz, FSB 667 MHz, 2MB L2 Cache
U1500 mit 1.33 GHz, FSB 667 MHz, 2MB L2 Cache
- Pentium M
The Pentium M was the precessor of the Core architecture, but only featured a single core. The core itself was "more similar" to the old Pentium 3 design than to the Pentium 4 design. In comparison to a Pentium 4M, the Pentium M was very fast per megahertz and featured a modest current consumption with weaknesses in floating point operations. Older Celeron M single core low cost CPUs show a similar performance as the old Pentium M.
With Intel chipset (855 or 915) and Intel WLAN, the Pentium M is also available with the name Centrino (name for the whole package).
Models:
900 - 2260 MHz, 1-2 MB level 2 Cache, 90nm and 130nm production process, 400 and 533 MHz front Side bus (FSB);
It is also available as a low voltage version with very small current consumption.
Intel Celeron Dual-Core
The Intel Celeron Dual-Core familiy consists out of dual core CPUs for cheap laptops. Compared to the Celeron M single core family the biggest advantage (in addition to the second core) is the Enhanced Speedstep function, which enables the notebook to downclock the CPU in Idle mode. Still, the Celeron products may not offer all P-States and could need more power than Core 2 Duo CPUs. Compared to the Core (2) Duo or Pentium Dual-Core processors, the Celeron Cual-Core features less L2 Cache which leads to a lower performance per clock. The current models all support the Execution Disable Bit function and are ready for a 64 Bit operating system. The 45nm models should need much less current compared to the 65nm processors.
Models (excerpt):
T1400, 65nm, 1660 MHz, 512 KB L2 Cache, FSB 533
T1500, 65nm, 1866 MHz, 512 KB L2 Cache, FSB 533
T1600, 65nm, 1660 MHz, 1024 KB L2 Cache, FSB 667
T1700, 65nm, 1830 MHz, 1024 KB L2 Cache, FSB 667
- Celeron M
800 - 1500 MHz, 512KB - 1 MB level 2 Cache. Technically the Celeron M is based on the Pentium M / Core Solo but with reduced L2 Cache, a slower FSB and no Speedstep. Therefore, the performance and battery runtime is a bit below the similar Core Solo.
It is also available as Low Voltage Version with very small power consumption.
The 4xx series is based upon the Core Solo and has a Front Side Bus (FSB) of 533 MHz, but only 1 instead of 2 MB L2 Cache. It seems to be bring enough performance for office applications (as the 3xx series).
The 5xx series is based upon the Core 2 Solo (Merom architecure) and is slightly faster than an equally fast 4xx Celeron M. The Celeron does not support any virtualisation technics and has no ViiV and vPRO certificate (in contrary to Core 2 Solo).
The 9xx series is based on the Core 2 Solo (Penryn) and therefore also a bit faster than the Merom based Celeron M.
Intel Atom
The Intel Atom series is a 64-Bit microprocessor for cheap and small notebooks (netbooks), nettops, MIDs, or UMPCs. The speciality of the new architecture is the "in order" execution (instead of the usual and faster "out of order" execution). Therefore, the transistor count of the Atom series is much lower and, thus, cheaper to produce.
There are two series, the Atom Z series is code-named Solverthorne and intended for MIDs and Ultra-Mobile PCs. The Atom N series is code-named Silverthorne and intended for Netbooks and Nettops and therefore cheaper.
Both series are produced in 45 nm and features MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, Intel 64, XD-Bit, IVT, and Hyper-Threading (the higher clocked versions). The N-
The performance of the fastest Atom is still beyond the Celeron product line. The 1.6 GHz Atom is for example compareable to a 1.2 GHz Pentium 3-M / Pentium M (performancewise).
Intel Mobile A-Series (Stealey)
The Mobile A100 and A110 processors (codename Stealey) are ULV processors and have been developed for UMPCs (Ultra Mobile PCs). The A-series is the precessor of the Atom CPUs and are based on a Celeron-M with a Dothan core. The CPUs are fabricated in 90nm and have a L2 Cache of 512 KB. The maximum current consumption is 3 W. The processors are combined with a 945GU chipset (ULV version of the 945GM) with integrated GMA 950 graphic card. The Frontside bus is 400 MHz. The A100 is clocked with 600 MHz and the A110 with 800 MHz. Both processors have a low processor performance, which is heavily loaded with MPEG 4 videos for example.
2,4 - 3.46 Ghz (in former times starting from 1,4 Ghz) with FSB 533 (in former times 400) and 512KB to 1 MB level 2 Cache. It was produced in 90 - 130 nm production process and is relative slow, but uses much current and heats up considerably per megahertz (compared with mobile processors like Pentium M). Technically it is a Pentium 4 with some current saving mechanisms (e.g. speedstep) and less power consumption.
The Mobile Intel Pentium 4 for DTR (desktop replacement laptops) was a special version of the Pentium 4 M. It supports Enhanced Speed Step and other features for the reduction of current consumption, but needs clearly more current than the Pentium 4-M models. It was intruduced with FSB533-connection and clock frequencies between 2.4 and 3.06 GHz. Despite the high clock, the fastest Pentium 4-M models were only as fast as 2.2 GHz Celeron M.
Technically it is a Pentium 4 M however without speed steps and with less level 2 Cache. In contrast to the Celeron M it is very slow, since the long pipeline of architecture needs a large level 2 Cache. Slow, warm and very hungry for power the CPU was not really good suited for laptops.
AMD Turion X2 Ultra
The Turion X2 Ultra was introduced in Q2 2008 and the core is based on the old K9 architecture (Turion 64 X2) with some K10 (Desktop Phenom) parts like the Crossbar-Switch, HyperTransport 3.0 link, memory controller). Because of the bigger L2 cache (of the Ultra models), the performance is a bit better than a similar clocked Turion 64 X2. Furthermore, the current consumption went a bit down. Still the performance is not compareable to a similar clocked Core 2 Duo (which feature up to 6 MB L2 Cache) and only on par with Pentium Dual-Core models.
More information on the Turion X2 Ultra can be found in the Turion X2 Ultra series page.
AMD Turion64 X2
The Turion64 X2 is a 64 bit dual core (2 core) processor (code name Taylor (2 x 256 KB L2) and Trinidad (2 x 512 KB L2)) with a integrated memory controller ( DDR2-667 support). The CPU features Pacifica (AMD-v) virtualisation technics, 31-35 W TDP, socket S1, 90 nm fabrication, separated L2 Caches, integrated 333 MHz DDR, 800 MHz Hypertransport.
The AMD Turion 64 X2 is intended to be positioned against the Intel Core Duo and was presented in 17. May 2006. The power consumption is a bit higher compared to Core Duo CPUs (in average a bit higher)not higher than with Centrino-Duo-notebooks (TL-45 with ATI Xpress and Mobility Radeon X300). However, the performance of a TL-45 is about 20% below the T2300 (1.66 GHz) due to the lower L2 Cache (Core Duo has 2048 Kbyte shared L2 Cache).
In March 2007 a Turion 64 with 65nm (older models are produced in 90nm) was announced (as a response to Intels Santa Rosa Core 2 Duo), which have up to 2.4 GHz.
A detailled model list and more inforamtion can be found on the Turion 64 X2 series page.
This is a derivative of the Athlon 64 with SSE3 and nx storage protection. It supports 64 and 32 bit mode and features an integrated memory controller for PC3200 memory. The ML versions have a TDP of 35 Watt and the MB versions 25 Watt. The performance and power consumption should be similar to an equal clocked Pentium M.
Speeds:
MT-30 / ML-30 (1.6 GHz, 1 MB L2)
MT-32 / ML-32 (1.8 GHz, 512 KB L2)
MT-34 / ML-34 (1.8 GHz, 1 MB L2)
MK-36 (2.0 GHz, 512 KB L2, 31 Watt TDP)
MT-37 / ML-37 (2.0 GHz, 1 MB L2)
MT-40 / ML-40 (2.2 GHz, 1 MB L2)
ML-42 (2.4 GHz, 512 KB L2)
ML-44 (2.4 GHz, 1 MB L2)
In contrary to the rare cases, where Desktop Athlon 64 X2 processors are inserted in DTR laptops, AMD introduced in summer 2007 the "Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core processors for laptop PCs" series with CPUs, which are based on the Turion 64 X2 core. The CPU is designed for socket S1 and contains an integrated DDR2 memory controller.
The processors are based on the Hawk-25 core and offer 2 cores (dual-core) with a 128 kb l1 cache and 256 kb l2 cache. The mobile laptop processor supports MMX, extended 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, AMD64, PowerNow!, NX-Bit and AMD-V. The FSB works with 800 MHz (HyperTransport HT1600).
AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-53, 65 nm, 1700 MHz, 31 W TDP
AMD Athlon 64 X2 TK-55, 65 nm, 1800 MHz, 31 W TDP
The Mobile Athlon 64 is based on the desktop Athlon 64 and based on the desktop version. The Rating (2700+ - 4000+) is comparable with the clock rates of the Pentium 4 M (similar performance). The top versions are DTR (Desktop replacement) versions for large laptops.
The old Sempron CPUs (2800+ to 3000+) are based on the mobile Athlon 64 with reduced level 2 Cache; The rating is not comparable with Athlon 64 Rating. A 3000+ Athlon 64 is faster than a 3000+ Sempron. There is no 64 bit support.
Later models are based on Turion 64 (and X2 versions with disabled second core). Some even support 64 Bit. They compete the Celeron M line.
Mobile version of the Athlon XP regarding rating comparable with Pentium 4 clock frequencies; Somewhat more slow than Athlon 64 with same rating and no 64 bit support.
Successor of the Crusoe processor; not as fast as comparable Intel and AMD processors, however very economic power consumption.
Not as fast as comparable Intel and AMD processors, however very economic current consumption; The Crusoe did not implement the x86 instruction set in hardware, but runs a software abstraction layer known as Code Morphing Software. The performance was not very good and compareable with VIA C7-M CPUs at the same clock rate.
VIA C7-M
The C7 is nearly identical to the lates C3 cores (but differs from early C3 cores). It was launched in May 2005. The performance is still much slower than similar clocked Pentium M CPUs. Even the slow Atom CPUs should be faster than the C7M.
VIA C3-M
The VIA C3-M is the mobile x86 CPU with a low power consumption and also a low performance (noticably lower than a similar clocked Pentium M). E.g. a Pentium M at 600 MHz is faster than a 1200 MHz C3-M. Later models of the C3 family were improved and similar to the C7 family.
