Intel has a new name for their H-series Laptop Processors & they now call them the G-series. However, there is a reason behind this new renaming policy & that is the new kind of Graphical Horsepower it is packing. So, the new G-series Laptop Processors from Intel now have integrated Graphics from AMD calls the Vega Graphics for Mobile.
Now, there are two configurations of these new G-series Processors. These are,
- 8th Gen Intel Core processor with Radeon™ RX Vega M GL Graphics (65W total package power)
- 8th Gen Intel Core processor with Radeon™ RX Vega M GH Graphics (100W total package power), which features an unlocked configuration
So, maybe it’s better to have a Specification overview for all the new CPUs.
| i5-8305G | i7-8705G | i7-8706G | i7-8709G | i7-8809G | |
| Process Technology | 14 nm | 14 nm | 14 nm | 14 nm | 14 nm |
| Number Of Cores | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Number Of Threads | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Base Frequency | 2.8 GHz | 3.1 GHz | 3.1 GHz | 3.1 GHz | 3.1 GHz |
| Max Frequency | 3.8 Ghz | 4.1 GHz | 4.1 GHz | 4.1 GHz | 4.2 GHz |
| Cache Size | 6 MB | 8 MB | 8 MB | 8 MB | 8 MB |
| Max PCIe Lanes | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| TDP | 65W | 65W | 65W | 100W | 100W |
| Memory Type | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2400 | DDR4-2400 |
| Max Memory Channels | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Integrated Graphics | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| Integrated Graphics Dynamic Frequency | 1.00 GHz | 1.10 GHz | 1.10 GHz | 1.10 GHz | 1.10GHz |
| Dedicated Graphics | Radeon RX Vega M GL | Radeon RX Vega M GL | Radeon RX Vega M GL | Radeon RX Vega M GH | Radeon RX Vega M GH |
| Dedicated Graphics Base Frequency | 931 MHz | 931 MHz | 931 MHz | 1.06 GHz | 1.06 GHz |
| Dedicated Graphics Max Frequency | 1.01 GHz | 1.01 GHz | 1.01 GHz | 1.19 GHz | 1.19 GHz |
| VRAM | 4GB HBM2 | 4GB HBM2 | 4GB HBM2 | 4GB HBM2 | 4GB HBM2 |
| Compute Units | 20 | 20 | 20 | 24 | 24 |
| Listed Price | – | – | – | – | – |
These new G-series Processors are Graphically much more powerful compared to the 7th Gen Core Processors. The way Intel achieved this is by integrating the CPU, the GPU & HBM2 VRAM in a Single Processor. We have already explained this in detail in one of our previous articles. I’m linking that article below in case you need that.
https://geeksnipper.com/intels-8th-gen-h-series-laptop-core-processors-will-inbuilt-amd-radeon-graphics-gddr5-vram/7165/
These new CPUs are targeted towards Thin & Light devices for both Gaming & Professional platforms. The High-power CPU with the new Vega GPUs can handle Gaming, Content Creation and even things like Virtual & Mixed Reality.
However, these new G-series CPUs are still using the older Kaby Lake architecture. So, these CPUs belong to Kabylake-G series & if you remember, the 8th Gen U-series is also using the Kabylake Architecture so, those are actually Kabylake-R which means that only the 8th Gen Desktop CPUs are using the Coffelake Architecture as of now. Kinda disappointing cause Coffelake is so much better compared to Kabylake.
Another disappointing Factor is the fabrication Process Technology. So, these G-series Processors came out in 2018 & they are still using the 14nm Process Technology. We were expecting the 10nm Process Technology in early 2018 but that’s just not the case.
So, the main improvements have been done in terms of Graphical Performance. The 100W TDP based i7-8709G & i7-8809G have the Higher-end Vega M GH series Graphics which similar to something like a Max-Q GTX1060 (Thanks to Linus of Linus Tech Tips for this info). That kinda power in a Slim Form Factor is really appreciated. But, I hope Manufacturers have the access to fit in even higher powered NVIDIA GPUs for High-end Gaming Laptops. Otherwise, it would be a huge bottleneck in many situations.
New laptops powered by these new 8th Gen G-series Processors will be unveiled in the CES2018 that is going on right now. To stay updated on that, stay Tuned to our Website, Facebook & Twitter.