Microsoft will re-use the Intel Core m3-8100Y in the Surface Go 3, just with a different name

A next-generation Surface Go may be arriving soon, and could make its debut on September 22 at Microsoft's next hardware event. While it is unclear what the Surface Go 3 looks like, Geekbench entries have seemingly confirmed that Microsoft will offer the tablet with Intel Pentium Gold 6500Y and Core i3-10100Y processors.

On the face of it, these processors will offer significantly better CPU and GPU performance than those that are available for the Surface Go 2. The Core i3-10100Y is over two years old at this point, but it should provide nearly a 20% performance bump over the Core m3-8100Y.

Similarly, the Pentium Gold 6500Y represents a step up compared to the Pentium Gold 4425Y found in the entry-level Surface Go 2. As we discussed last month, the Pentium Gold 6500Y outclasses the Pentium Gold 4425Y in all areas, even if it is also a dual-core processor.

However, Liliputing has discovered that the Pentium Gold 6500Y is the Core m3-8100Y in disguise. As the screenshots below show, the pair share all important specifications, including lithography, CPU and GPU frequencies, and RAM support.

Essentially, the Pentium Gold 6500Y is a Core m3-8100Y with a 1 W lower TDP-up and TDP-down. So, it may run more efficiently than the Core m3-8100Y but with only 87.5% of its peak wattage. The Pentium Gold 6500Y will be compatible with Windows 11 mind you, even if some of Microsoft's hardware requirements are fairly arbitrary. Consequently, there is no guarantee that the entry-level Surface Go 3 will outperform its Core m3-8100Y-powered predecessor.

Purchase the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go on Amazon