Intel Pentium Gold 5405U

The Intel Pentium 5405U is an ULV (ultra low voltage) dual-core SoC based on the Whiskey-Lake architecture and has been launched in January 2019. The CPU can be found in ultrabooks as well as normal notebooks. In addition to two CPU cores with Hyper-Threading clocked at 2.3 GHz (no Turbo Boost), the chip also integrates an HD Graphics 610 GPU and a dual-channel DDR4-2133/DDR3L-1600 memory controller. The SoC is manufactured using a 14 nm process with FinFET transistors (14nm++). 

Architecture

Intel basically uses the same micro architecture compared to Skylake, so the per-MHz performance does not differ. The manufacturer only reworked the Speed Shift technology for faster dynamic adjustments of voltages and clocks, and the improved 14nm process allows much higher frequencies combined with better efficiency than before. Compared to Kaby-Lake Refresh, Whiskey Lake only features a slightly improved process from 14nm+ to 14nm++.

Performance

Compared to the older Pentium Gold 4415U with same clock speeds, the performance should be quite similar and therefore in the entry level. Still, the CPU has sufficient power for office and multimedia purposes as well as somewhat more demanding applications. The 12.5 Watt version is running at only  800 MHz and is therefore significantly slower.

Graphics

The integrated graphics unit called UHD Graphics 610 (similar to the HD Graphics 510) represents the "GT1" version of the Whiskey Lake GPU (Intel Gen. 9). Its 12 Execution Units, also called EUs, are clocked at 300 - 950 MHz and offer a performance somewhat below the older HD Graphics 4400. Only a few games of 2018 can be played smoothly in lowest settings.

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 12.5 watts (cTDP down), reducing both heat dissipation and performance (only running on 800 MHz) and allowing even more compact designs.

Benchmarks