Intel 10th Generation Laptop Processors: Our Guide to Understanding Their Features and Benefits

Intel 10th Generation Core Laptop Processors (U and Y Series)

Intel launched its 10th generation Intel^® Core™ U series and Y series mobile processors 2019, promising to lift thin and light laptops to new levels of productivity and entertainment. 10th gen Intel Core CPUs now run a wide selection of portable PCs from all major manufacturers, including dozens of 10th-gen powered Lenovo laptops and 2-in-1s.

In releasing its new processors, Intel highlighted 10th gen updates to Intel^® Iris^® Plus graphics for better gaming, streaming and creative work. The 10th gen U Series and 10th gen Y Series chips also added built-in intelligence features that can help a PC learn and adapt to how you use it. Battery life was optimized, too, and improved wired and wireless capabilities enabled faster connectivity than earlier Intel CPU generations.

This article covers Intel’s popular U Series and Y Series 10th gen mobile Core processors. High-performance 10th gen Intel Core H Series mobile processors are also available. Here’s a brief explanation of how these CPUs differ:

• Intel Core Y Series (ex., i5-10310Y) – Extremely low power CPUs that use minimal battery energy and generate relatively little heat. Y Series processors are used in some of the thinnest, lightest laptops.
• Intel Core U Series (ex., i3-10110U) – Ultra low power CPUs that use relatively more battery energy and put off more heat. U Series processors power a variety of mainstream, consumer-focused laptops.
• Intel Core H Series (ex., i7-10850H) – CPUs that support high-performance graphics (ideal for gaming rigs and workstations) but run at higher temperatures and drain the battery faster.

There’s also a “K” designator (ex., i9-10980HK) for Intel chips with unlocked multipliers, which enable processor overclocking when conditions support it.

Intel’s 10th gen mobile processors are expected to remain on the market for multiple years. The company regularly releases new processor generations, and they often overlap.

Lenovo 10th gen laptops with Intel Core U Series and Y Series CPUs

The Lenovo laptop family includes multiple models with 10th generation Intel Core processors (in-stock availability may vary):

• ThinkPad: The biggest name in laptops for biggest tasks in your office.
• IdeaPad: Thin, light, and powerful – stylish laptops for maximum mobility.
• Yoga: Flexible 2-in-1 laptop/tablet combos that perform anywhere.
• Lenovo Legion: High-end gaming laptops with winning specs and features.
• Laptop workstations: The best components for compute-intensive applications.

With this kind of variety, there’s a 10th gen Intel Core-based laptop for virtually every need. Office and business systems. High-end gaming rigs. Portable, use-anywhere 2-in-1s. Lenovo offers them all.

10th gen Intel Core U Series/Y Series mobile processor features

Even if you’re not familiar with the different kinds of Intel mobile processors, there’s a good chance your current Intel-based laptop has a U Series or Y Series CPU. They're used to power a wide variety of mobile systems, from ultraportable thin and light models to higher performing systems for the office or game room.

Here's some of what Intel promises with its 10th gen Core U and Y series laptop processors:

10th gen Core performance

10th gen Intel Core mobile processors are designed for the AI computing of the future, with built-in intelligent performance features to help your laptop learn and adapt to what you do. Automatic photo masking, quick application of video filters, and other capabilities help deliver the kind of experiences PC users have always wanted and, nowadays, demand.

10th gen Core entertainment

10th gen Intel Core mobile processors deliver amazingly immersive audio and video, with new improvements to Intel^® Iris^® Plus graphics. Play today's most popular, FPS-intensive AAA games at 1080p resolution, stream realistic 4K HDR video without disruptions, process/edit high-res photos and movies, and more – all in some of the industry's thinnest, lightest laptops.

10th gen Core connectivity

10th gen Intel Core mobile processors offer best-in-class wired and wireless connectivity. Intel^® Wi-Fi 6¹ (Gig+) enables fast and responsive wireless connections, even in environments with many connected devices. Thunderbolt™ 3² is the fastest USB-C available and allows you to connect multiple peripherals – even power – with just one cable.

Table 1 lists the critical operating specifications* of 10th generation Intel Core U Series and Y Series laptop processors.

Table 1: Intel 10th generation (Ice Lake) U Series and Y Series Processors – Specifications

Component	Specifications
Processor	Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, Intel i7
Thermal Design Power	9W, 15W, 28W
Cores/Threads	Up to 4 Cores /8 Threads
LLL Cache Size	Up to 8 MB
Max Turbo Frequency	Up to 4.1 GHz
Graphics Configuration	Intel® Iris® Plus up to 64EU Intel® UHD graphics
Graphics Frequency	Up to 1.1 GHz
Integrated Wi-Fi	Intel® Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+)
Integrated USB Type-C	Up to 4 Thunderbolt™ 3 ports

* The table lists the announced specifications of the first 10th gen Intel Core U Series and Y Series mobile processors to be released. Not every 10th gen Intel mobile CPU is available in Lenovo laptop systems. Before buying, consumers should always confirm the stated specifications and performance estimates of any system they consider.

Table 2 lists the notable performance features** of 10th gen U Series and Y Series Intel Core mobile processors.

Table 2: Intel 10th generation (Ice Lake) U Series and Y Series Processors – Performance features^3,4

Feature	10th Gen (Ice Lake) Intel Core U Series	10th Gen (Ice Lake) Intel Core Y Series
CPU/Memory/Graphics Overclocking	No	No
Intel® Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU)	No	No
Intel® Hyper-Threading	Yes	Yes
Intel® Smart Cache (with Last Level Cache (LLC) sharing (processor and GFx cores))	Yes	Yes
Intel® Smart Sound	Yes	Yes
Intel® Gaussian Neural Accelerator 1.0	Yes	Yes
Intel® Turbo Boost 2.0	Yes	Yes
Intel® Turbo Boost Max	No	No
Intel® Speedshift™	Yes	Yes
Per core p-states	Yes	Yes
Last Level Cache (LLC)	Up to 8M	Up to 8M

** The table lists the announced performance features of the first Intel 10th generation Core mobile processors (U Series and Y Series) to be released. Not every 10th gen Intel mobile CPU is available in Lenovo laptop systems. Before buying, consumers should always confirm the stated specifications and features of the systems they’re considering.

Consumers looking for a new PC should be sure to consider laptops with 10th generation Intel Core mobile processors (both the U Series/Y Series chips described here and the high-performance H Series). Intel’s 10th gen CPUs are available across the Lenovo laptop lineup, including ThinkPad systems, IdeaPad models, Lenovo Legion gaming laptops, mobile workstations and Yoga 2-in-1 convertibles.

Intel, Intel Core, Intel Iris Plus, and Intel Speedshift are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.