Intel Core i5-6260U

The Intel Core i5-6260U is an ULV (ultra low voltage) dual-core SoC based on the Skylake architecture and has been launched in September 2015. The CPU can be found in ultrabooks as well as normal notebooks.. In addition to two CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 1.8 - 2.9 GHz (2 cores: max. 2.7 GHz), the chip also integrates an Iris Graphics 540 GPU with 64 MB of dedicated eDRAM memory and a dual-channel DDR4-2133/DDR3L-1600 memory controller. The SoC is manufactured using a 14 nm process with FinFET transistors.

Architecture

Skylake replaces both Haswell and Broadwell and brings the same microarchitecture in every TDP class from 4.5 to 45 W. The extensive improvements of the Skylake design include increased out-of-order buffers, optimized prefetching and branch prediction as well as additional performance gains through Hyper-Threading. Overall, however, performance per clock has been increased by only 5 to 10 percent (compared to Haswell) respectively under 5 percent (compard to Broadwell), which is quite modest for a new architecture ("Tock").

Furthermore, the organisation of the eDRAM cache has been modified. Instead of acting like a victim cache, which has to be adressed via the L3/LLC, the eDRAM can now be adressed directly by programms just like the main memory. The size is still 128 MB for the quad-core models (4C + GT4e), while the dual-core chips (2C + GT3e) only offer 64 MB.

Performance

According to the specified clock rates and the improved architecture, the Core i5-6260U should perform similar to the former Core i7-5500U/5550U (Broadwell, 15 W). Thus, the CPU has sufficient power for office and multimedia purposes as well as more demanding applications and multitasking.

Graphics

The integrated graphics unit called Iris Graphics 540 represents the "GT3e" version of the Skylake GPU (Intel Gen. 9). The 48 Execution Units, also called EUs, are clocked at 300 - 950 MHz and offer (thanks to the fast eDRAM cache) a performance sligthly above a dedicated GeForce 920M. Games of 2015 can thus be played smoothly in low or medium settings. For more information about performance and features, check our page for the Iris Graphics 540.

Power Consumption

Specified at a TDP of 15 W (including CPU, GPU and memory controller), the CPU is best suited for small notebooks and ultrabooks (11-inches and above). Optionally, the TDP can be lowered to 9.5 watts (cTDP down), reducing both heat dissipation and performance and allowing even more compact designs.

Codename	Skylake
Series	Intel Core i5
Series: Core i5 Skylake Intel Core i5-6440HQ 2.6 - 3.5 GHz 4 / 4  6 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6350HQ 2.3 - 3.2 GHz 4 / 4  6 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6300HQ 2.3 - 3.2 GHz 4 / 4  6 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6287U 3.1 - 3.5 GHz 2 / 4  4 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6267U 2.9 - 3.3 GHz 2 / 4  4 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6360U 2 - 3.1 GHz 2 / 4  4 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6300U 2.4 - 3 GHz 2 / 4  3 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6260U « 1.8 - 2.9 GHz 2 / 4  4 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6198DU 2.3 - 2.8 GHz 2 / 4  3 MB L3 Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3 - 2.8 GHz 2 / 4  3 MB L3
Clock Rate	1800 - 2900 MHz
Level 1 Cache	128 KB
Level 2 Cache	512 KB
Level 3 Cache	4 MB
Number of Cores / Threads	2 / 4
Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power)	15 Watt
Manufacturing Technology	14 nm
Max. Temperature	100 °C
Socket	BGA
Features	Dual-Channel DDR3L-1600/DDR4-2133 Memory Controller, HyperThreading, AVX, AVX2, Quick Sync, Virtualization, AES-NI
GPU	Intel Iris Graphics 540 (300 - 950 MHz)
64 Bit	64 Bit support
Architecture	x86
Starting Price	$304 U.S.
Announcement Date	09/01/2015
Product Link (external)	ark.intel.com

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