The Intel Pentium N4200 is a quad-core SoC primarily for inexpensive notebooks and was announced mid 2016. It runs at 1.1-2.5 GHz (Single Core Burst, Multi-Core Burst max 2.4 GHz) and is based on the Apollo Lake platform. Similar to the Braswell predecessor, the chip is manufactured in a 14 nm process (P1273) with FinFETs. Besides four CPU cores, the chip also includes a DirectX 12 capable GPU as well as a DDR3L/LPDDR3/LPDDR4 memory controller (dual-channel, up to 1866/2400 MHz).
Architecture
For the first time in a couple of years, Intel completely reworked the CPU architecture of the Atom series. The manufacturer advertises performance gains of roughly 30 percent, but does not reveal any specifics about the individual changes. The new Goldmont architecture should therefore be roughly on par with AMD's Beema/Carrizo-L APUs in terms of per-MHz performance, but it still far behind the more expensive Core CPUs (like Skylake / Kaby Lake).
Performance
The CPU performance of the Pentium N4200 with 4 CPU cores and a clock between 1.1-2.5 GHz should depend a lot on the cooling solution. If the chip can maintain its Boost clock, the N4200 should be about 30 percent faster than the old N3700 (Braswell) and compete with an AMD A8-7410. This means the processor is perfectly suited for daily tasks (office, browsing) as well as moderate multi-tasking.
GPU Performance
The HD Graphics 505 (Apollo Lake) is based on Intel's Gen9 architecture, which supports DirectX 12 and is also used for the Kaby Lake / Skylake graphics adapters (like HD Graphics 520). Equipped with 18 EUs and a clock of up to 750 MHz, the performance should be roughly on par with the older HD Graphics 5300. This means only older titles like Counter-Strike: GO or Diablo 3 will run smoothly.
The chip also includes an advanced video engine with hardware support for the playback of VP9 and H.265 material (8-bit color-depth).
Power Consumption
Similar to the predecessor, Intel specifies the TDP with 6 Watts (SDP 4 Watts – Scenario Design Power). The chip can therefore be cooled passively in theory, but SKUs with fans are possible as well.
Series
Intel Pentium
Codename
Apollo Lake
Clock Rate
1100 - 2500 MHz
Level 2 Cache
2 MB
Number of Cores / Threads
4 / 4
Power Consumption (TDP = Thermal Design Power)
6 Watt
Manufacturing Technology
14 nm
Max. Temperature
105 °C
Socket
FCBGA1296
Features
Intel HD Graphics 505 (18 EUs, 200 - 750 MHz), Quick Sync, AES-NI, max. 8 GB Dual-Channel DDR3L-1866/LPDDR3-1866/LPDDR4-2400 , 8x USB 3.0, 6x PCIe 2.0, 2x SATA 6.0 Gbit/s