Intel rolls out 6th Generation Intel Core processors

Source: Intel.

Intel's new 6th Generation (Gen) Intel Core processor family deliver enhanced performance and new immersive experiences at the lowest power levels ever and also support the broadest range of device designs – from the ultra-mobile compute stick, 2 in 1s and high-definition all-in-one desktops to new mobile workstations.

Intel estimates that there are over 500 million computers in use today that are four to five years old or older. The 6th Gen Intel Core processors, built on the new Skylake microarchitecture on Intel’s 14nm manufacturing process technology, offer a performance boost over such computers. According to the company, the new processors can deliver up to two and a half times better performance¹, triple the battery life², and graphics that are 30 times better³ for seamless and smooth gaming and video experiences versus the average five-year-old computer. They can also be half as thin and half the weight, wake more quickly, with battery life that lasts virtually all day⁴.

“Sixth Gen Intel Core processors deliver some of the most significant advancements in computing that we’ve ever seen,” said Kirk Skaugen, Intel Senior VP and GM, Client Computing Group. “New 6th Gen Intel Core-based systems are more responsive than ever with enhanced performance, battery life and security. And they can enable amazing new PC experiences like logging into your computer with your face and having a personal assistant respond to your voice. The combination of 6th Gen Intel Core processors, Windows 10 and beautiful new systems from PC manufacturers make this the best time ever to buy a new computer.”

The new 6th Gen Intel Core processor family addresses virtually every need. The Intel Core M processor family now includes the Intel Core m3, m5 and m7 processors, while the Intel Compute Stick lineup expands to include a version powered by the 6th Gen Intel Core M processor.

This new generation of Intel processors also includes several firsts for mobile designs: a mobile “K” SKU that is unlocked to enable overclocking** with even more user control, a new quad-core Intel Core i5 processor that offers up to 60% improved mobile multitasking⁵, and the Intel Xeon E3 processor family now powering mobile workstations. The 6th Gen Intel Core processors deliver significant improvements in graphics performance⁶ to offer improved visuals for gaming as well as 4K content creation and media playback. New Intel Speed Shift technology improves the responsiveness of mobile systems so people can, for example, apply a photo filter up to 45% faster⁷.

In addition, Intel is offering more than 25 products for the Internet of Things (IoT) with up to seven-year long-life supply and error correcting code (ECC) at multiple thermal design power levels. Retail, medical, industrial, and digital surveillance and security industries will all benefit from the new 6th Gen Intel Core processor improvements and includes IoT designs from the edge to the cloud.

Users can expect the 6th Gen Intel Core and Intel Xeon platforms to offer a variety of new features and experiences. More devices will feature Thunderbolt 3 for USB Type-C, enabling one compact port that does it all. A user-facing or world-facing Intel RealSense Camera will be available on a range of new 6th Gen Intel Core processor-based 2 in 1s, notebooks and all-in-one desktop systems, offering new depth-sensing capabilities, including lifelike 3D selfies, 3D scans and prints, or the ability to change the background during a video chat.

The 6th Gen Intel Core platform will also advance Intel’s “no wires” initiative to deliver the best experience for wireless display available today with Intel WiDi or Pro WiDi. This technology allows people to easily share from their computer to a TV, monitor or projector without the mess of wires and dongles.

The 6th Gen Intel Core processor family helps optimise Windows 10 features such as Cortana and Windows Hello for more seamless and natural interaction with technology. Devices with the Intel RealSense Camera paired with Windows Hello let people securely log in using facial recognition. True Key technology by Intel Security is also available on many 6th Gen Intel Core processor-based systems to deliver a secure experience for logging into devices and websites without the need to remember each site’s password.

In coming months, Intel plans to deliver more than 48 processors in the 6th Gen Intel Core processor family, featuring Intel Iris and Iris Pro graphics, as well as Intel Xeon E3-1500M processor family for mobile workstations and 6th Gen Intel vPro processors for business and enterprises.

Interested?

A variety of devices across a wide range of form factors will be available now and over the coming months from manufacturers around the world. 

Read the TechTrade Asia blog post about the Intel Singapore and Aftershock PC partnership around 6th Gen Intel Core processors

1 6th Gen Intel Core i5-6200U (43WHr battery size) to a five year old PC based on Intel Core i5-520UM (62WHr battery size): 2.5x better performance (SYSmark*2014)
2 6th Gen Intel Core i5-6200U (43WHr battery size) to a five year old PC based on Intel Core i5-520UM (62WHr battery size): 3x better battery life (Windows* 10 on i5-6200U and Windows 7 on i5-520UM). Battery life and performance measurements on Intel Reference Platform. The Intel Reference Platform is an example new system. Products available from systems manufacturers will not be identical in design, and performance will vary.
3 6th Gen Intel Core i5-6200U (43WHr battery size) to a five year old PC based on Intel Core i5-520UM (62WHr battery size): 30x better graphics performance (3D Mark Cloud Gate graphics test sub-score). Windows HD Local Video Playback Component Average Power. Disconnect all USB devices, connect to a local WiFi access point and set the screen brightness to 200 nits (disable DPST, set brightness to 200 nits on a white background and enable DPST). Wait for 10 mins for the OS to completely idle. Launch Tears of Steel (1080p H264 10MBps) video using the Windows metro player. Measure and calculate average power for the duration of the video. Report 3 run median.
4 Projection Intel Core M7-6Y75 for local 1080p video playback with 36WHr battery
5 Intel Core i5-6300HQ vs. Intel Core i5-4300M estimated SPEC*int_rate_base2006
6 Intel®Core M7-6Y75 (PL1=4.5W) compared to Intel Core M-5Y71 (PL1=4.5W) using 3DMark* 1.2.0 Sky Diver
7 Intel Core i5-6200U WebXPRT*2015 (20% Overall) and up to 45% for photo enhancement subtest of WebXPRT*2015

*Software and workloads used in performance tests may have been optimised for performance only on Intel microprocessors. Performance tests, such as SYSmark and MobileMark, are measured using specific computer systems, components, software, operations and functions. Any change to any of those factors may cause the results to vary. You should consult other information and performance tests to assist you in fully evaluating your contemplated purchases, including the performance of that product when combined with other products. For more complete information visit http://www.intel.com/performance.

Results have been estimated or simulated using internal Intel analysis or architecture simulation or modelling, and provided to you for informational purposes. Any differences in your system hardware, software or configuration may affect your actual performance.

• SYSmark 2014 is a benchmark from the BAPCo consortium that measures the performance of Windows platforms. SYSmark tests three usage scenarios: Office Productivity, Media Creation and Data/Financial Analysis. SYSmark contains real applications from Independent Software Vendors such as Microsoft and Adobe.
• WebXPRT 2015 is a benchmark from Principled Technologies that measures the performance of web applications using six usage scenarios: Photo Enhancement, Organize Album, Stock Option Pricing, Local Notes, Sales Graphs and Explore DNA Sequencing. WebXPRT tests modern browser technologies such as HTML5 Canvas 2D, HTML5 Table, HTML5 Local Storage, HTML5 Web Workers, AES encryption, DOM in addition to JavaScript.
• 3DMark is a benchmark from Futuremark that measures DX 9 / OpenGL ES 2.0, DX 10 and DX 11 gaming performance. There are four main tests: “Ice Storm” for DX 9 / OpenGL ES 2.0, “Sling Shot” for OpenGL ES 3.0/1, “Cloud Gate” for DX 10, “Sky Diver” for DX11 and “Fire Strike” for DX 11 graphics.
• SPEC CPU2006 is a benchmark from the SPEC consortium that measures device performance and throughput using compute intensive application subtests. SPECint_base2006 measures how fast a device completes a single integer compute task. SPECint_rate_base2006 measures throughput, or how many integer compute tasks a device can accomplish in a given amount of time.

**Warning: Altering PC clock or memory frequency and/or voltage may (i) reduce system stability and use life of the system, memory and processor; (ii) cause the processor and other system components to fail; (iii) cause reductions in system performance; (iv) cause additional heat or other damage; and (v) affect system data integrity. Intel assumes no responsibility that the memory, included if used with altered clock frequencies and/or voltages, will be fit for any particular purpose. Check with memory manufacturer for warranty and additional details.