Intel clears up socketed Skylake eDRAM confusion

By Jon Martindale September 18, 2015

intel clears up socketed skylake edram confusion inteldiemap — Intel

The short answer is, it’s not happening.

The new generation of Intel’s CPUs has brought with it the usual generational improvements from a ‘tock’ cycle, and one of the more interesting ones was an onboard eDRAM controller, which essentially offers a large level-four cache to both the CPU and GPU, giving a nice performance boost to onboard graphics.

However it can also provide an improvement to dedicated graphics and the CPU too. The problem is that those using add-in cards or desktop systems are unlikely to get a chance to benefit, as Intel is only including the eDRAM controller in its mobile chips. The Skylake-H line will come equipped with Iris Pro graphics and a 128MB eDRAM cache, while the Skylake-U parts will come fitted with Iris graphics and a smaller 64MB cache, as per TechSpot.

Related: Skylake shootout: Which of these cutting-edge gaming desktops dominates?

This means that there will be no socketed, flagship Skylake products that utilize Iris or Iris Pro graphics, which is a shame as all of the potential performance improvements had yet to be worked out.

However, there is a flip side to this sad news, in that Intel’s socketed Broadwell chips (Core i7-5775C and i5-5675C) will continue to be sold in the future, so there is an option for those that want a socketed chip with a high performing onboard GPU and eDRAM caching.

What this does though, is put those looking to buy a new gaming system in a quandary. Do they buy the slightly older Broadwell CPU, or go with the more forward thinking Skylake hardware, knowing that by doing so they miss out on that 128MB of extra cache for the CPU and GPU to both utilize — even if its effect may be diminished by adding in a dedicated graphics card?

Which option would you go for?

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