Intel’s Kaby Lake chips will deliver 4K to the masses

If you’re the owner of a PC or Mac, chances are it’s powered by an Intel processor. The chipmaker dominates, commanding about 85% of the desktop CPU market, and shows no signs of stopping. Recently the company announced its seventh-generation Core-branded processors, codenamed “Kaby Lake,” which are designed to bring 4K video to the masses while allowing laptop makers to build thinner, lighter, more powerful designs. 

Intel's seventh-generation Kaby Lake will come in a 15-watt package. Image source: PC World.

Available in Core m3, Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 variants, the processors will make their way to PCs early this September. The new 14-nanometer chips are based on the same architecture of last year’s Skylake line, so they’re familiar, but pack more of a punch. Besides for improved 4K video playback and creation, benefits of the new chips include 70% faster mobile productivity and 3.5 times better 3D performance.

According to Intel, new laptops that incorporate the chips will be able to play games such as Overwatch in HD and see up to 9.5 hours of 4K video playback, thanks to improved Intel integrated graphics. The seventh-generation chips allow for more than 30 FPS and will also let content creators edit and view 4K-resolution 360° videos without seeing performance dips.

Additionally, the new processors will have better support for Thunderbolt 3 via USB-C and Windows Hello. They’ll also enable new form factors that can make use of touch, voice, and a stylus. 

The Core i7-7Y75 takes only 4.5 W (TDP), and the Core m3-7Y30 also needs 4.5 W. The Core i5-7200U processor and the Core i3-7100U both take 15 W, as does the Core  i7-7500U version.

Additional information

Intel Core i7-7Y75 processor, PL1=4.5W TDP, 2C4T, turbo up to 3.6 GHz/3.4 GHz, memory: 2×2 GB LPDDR3-1600, storage: Intel Solid State Drive (Intel SSD), display resolution: 1920×1080, Intel HD Graphics 615, OS: Windows* 10. 

Intel Core m3-7Y30 processor, PL1=4.5W TDP, 2C4T, turbo up to 2.6 GHz/2.4 GHz, memory: 2x2GB LPDDR3-1600, storage: Intel SSD, display resolution: 1920×1080, Intel HD Graphics 615, OS: Windows 10.

Intel Core i5-7200U processor, PL1=15W TDP, 2C4T, turbo up to 3.1 GHz/2.5 GHz, memory: 2×4 GB DDR4-2133, storage: Intel SSD, display resolution: 1920×1080. Intel HD Graphics 620, OS: Windows 10.

Intel Core i7-7500U processor, PL1=15W TDP, 2C4T, turbo up to 3.5 GHz, memory: 2×4 GB DDR4-2133, storage: Intel SSD, display resolution: 1920×1080, Intel HD Graphics 620, OS: Windows 10.

In today’s video-centric world, Intel’s processors will make PCs and Macs more versatile machines. Apple’s already rumored to be launching new redesigned MacBook Pros, and these seventh-generation chips are sure to be in them. What’s more, Intel recently previewed plans for a new standalone virtual reality headset called Project Alloy, and the new chips are expected to play an important role in its partnership with Microsoft on augmented reality. 

Source: Intel