Intel ULV Ivy Bridge Mobile CPUs Exposed, Programmable TDPs

We saw the new launch plans that Intel set in place for the Ivy Bridge collection of CPUs, and now we learn some information about the ULV models from the mobile collection. 

VR-Zone claims to have come upon the data on the ULV-series Core i7-3517U, Core i5-3317U and Core i3-3217U. 

The Core i7-3517U has a default clock speed of 1.9 GHz, but the programmable TDP (normally 17W) can be set to as high as 25W. 

That means that the highest possible ”default” frequency is of 2.4 GHz, enabling Turbo Boost modes of 2.8 GHz for two cores and 3 GHz on a single core. 

The second chip, Core i5-3317U, has no option of increasing the TDP, but it can decrease it, like all its peers. 

With a base speed of 1.7 GHz, it has the aforementioned TDP of 17W but can go as low as 14W, bringing the 1.7 GHz to a mere 800 MHz. 

Assuming PC builders and customers leave the TDP at its default state, the Turbo Boost technology can push the clock to 2.4 GHz for both cores or 2.6 GHz for a single one. 

The third and final newly exposed chip, Core i3-3217U, has no option to increase the TDP either, but the low adjustments are the same as for the Core i5-3317U. 

Its cores work at 1.8 GHz (or 800 MHz at 14W) and there is a distinct lack of Turbo Boost, as is customary for Core i3 chips. 

Strangely enough, all three of these CPUs lack Intel's vPro and TXT technology, and the Core i3-3217U also comes without support for the new digital random number generator, VT-d and AES-NI. 

Then again, they are Ultrabook parts, so these assets aren't really necessary. It is already a great enough boon that builders of such PCs will be able to play around with the power settings. 

Unfortunately, with the mind-bending chronology planned for the launch of Ivy Bridge chips, we still have to wait for products to show up.

Posted in: Hardware, News, Preview