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Intel reveals 10nm processors, will start on laptops

Intel's 10th generation Ice Lake processors will be available in laptops starting this year.

Josh Hawkins

May 28, 2019 8:45 AM

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For the past five generations, Intel has been building processors with a 14nm fabrication node. Now, though, the company is looking to get away from the 14nm architecture. The newest generation of processors was revealed at Computex 2019 and will bring 10nm chips to laptops this year.

Earlier this month, PCGamer reported on Intel’s plans with Project Athena, a new initiative to make laptops better by improving battery life and some other key specifications. According to Intel, 10nm processors will offer a “new level of responsiveness” in laptops using the new architecture. The upgraded processors will offer integrated graphics that can play back 4K HDR video, according to reports made by TechRadar.

Destiny 2 was used as an example of titles that could run on the new integrated graphics. A sizzle reel provided back at Intel’s CES demonstration showcased Anthem running on what appears to be a Microsoft Surface Pro, or some other comparable piece of hardware. While we’re not sure what the results will be when the new processors release, it is interesting to think that a Surface Pro would have the kind of power needed to run triple A games like that. Either way, the promised results right now are definitely enticing, however the on-paper specifications for the new 10nm Ice Lake processors are a bit grounding when you take them into account.

According to the on-paper specs, the Ice Lake processors will range from the company’s normal i3 to i7 branding, with the processor core count ranging from four to eight. There’s no word yet on if we can expect a 10nm version of the more powerful H-series processors, or even any kind of timetable for that kind of transition. Either way, the new processors will max out at 4.1GHz with Turbo Boost turned all the way up, with the integrated graphics popping off at 1.1GHz, which is roughly twice of what the past generation of processors offered.

Josh Hawkins

Guides Editor

Joshua holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and has been exploring the world of video games for as long as he can remember. He enjoys everything from large-scale RPGs to small, bite-size indie gems and everything in between.