Intel Pentium 2020M vs Intel Pentium 2129Y vs Intel Pentium 2127U

Intel Pentium 2020M

The Intel Pentium 2020M is a dual core processor for entry-level laptops. It is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture but many of the features like Turbo Boost for the CPU part (HyperThreading, AES, Virtualization VT-d, Trusted Execution or Intel Quick Sync) are deactivated. The Pentium 2020M integrates a graphics card called Intel HD Graphics that is based on the desktop HD Graphics 2500.

The performance of the Pentium 2020M is slightly above the similar clocked Pentium B980 (Sandy Bridge based).

The integrated Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge) offers 6 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 650 MHz up to 1100 MHz with Turbo Boost. Only some older and less demanding games can be played fluently in low settings.

Intel Pentium 2129Y

The Intel Pentium 2129Y is an entry-level ULV-processor for ultrabooks and tablets. It is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture but many of the features like Turbo Boost, Virtualization VT-d, HyperThreading, AES or Trusted Execution are deactivated. Each of the two cores offers a clock speed of 1.1 GHz. As other dual core Pentium CPUs, the 2129Y offers a 2 MB L3-Cache.

Ivy Bridge is an enhanced die shrink of the Sandy Bridge architecture with improvements on both GPU and CPU performance. The CPUs are produced in 22nm (versus 32nm Sandy Bridge CPUs) and are the first to introduce 3D transistors for increased energy efficiency when compared to similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processors. Other new features are integrated PCI Express 3.0 and  DDR3(L)-1600 support.

The performance of the Pentium 2129Y is slightly above a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge processor due to slight architectural improvements. As a result, overall performance is a bit above the Pentium 957.

The integrated Intel HD Graphics offers 6 Execution Units (EUs) clocked at 350 MHz up to 850 MHz with Turbo Boost.

The 2129Y is rated at a TDP of 10 W including graphics card and memory controller. Therefore, the CPU is suited for tablets and ultrabooks.

Intel Pentium 2127U

The Intel Pentium 2127U is an Ultra Low Voltage (ULV) dual-core processor for entry-level laptops. It is based on the Ivy Bridge architecture but many of its core features disabled like Turbo Boost, Virtualization VT-d, HyperThreading, AES and Trusted Execution. The Pentium 2127U integrates an Intel HD Graphics core (350 - 1100 MHz) that is based on the HD Graphics 2500.

The performance of the Pentium 2127U is slightly faster than a similarly clocked Sandy Bridge Pentium CPU. Therefore, the performance is slightly above that of the 2.0 GHz Pentium B940.

The 17W TDP rating includes the integrated GPU, the memory controller and the CPU cores. As a result, the 2127U is well-suited for small subnotebooks.