EMBEDDED 4th GEN
INTEL® CORE™
PROCESSOR SOLUTIONS
Haswell — The 4th Generation
Intel® Core™ Processor Platform
The introduction of new and improved processor technologies
continues at a rapid pace, providing opportunity for those who
keep up with new features, products and functionality. The first
three generations of Intel® Core™ processors changed the game
with integrated graphics, higher performance, smaller package
sizes and lower power consumption. Now the 4th generation of Intel® Core™ processors is
here. This document discusses what is new, what has changed, and how it affects
embedded systems integrators. We are also highlighting some of the first Advantech
products to take advantage of Intel’s latest and most powerful processor platform.
4th Gen Intel® Core™ Platform
Benefits for Advantech Products
• Lower power draw, more
speed and much better graphics performance
• All native SATA ports now
with 6.0 Gb/s support
• “Lynx Point” Intel® 8-Series
chipsets: smaller, low power
• New active/idle power state
for less power, faster resume
• CPU performance up 10%,
graphics up to twice as fast*
• I/O flexibility allows setting
ports to USB 2.0 or 3.0
• CPU Thermal Design Power
from 15 to 84 watts
• Multiple integrated graphics
levels: GT1, GT2, GT3, GT3e*
• Support for DirectX 11.1,
OpenCL 1.2 and OpenGL 4.0
• Three independent displays,
up to 4k resolution, DP1.2*
• ECC memory support
available in BGA packages
• Active Management
Technology 9.0 and IPMI
support in most chips
(* = available in specific SKUs only)
What is the big picture with the 4th Generation of Intel® Core™ Processors?
This time it’s about updating, finetuning, incremental improvements, and optimizing
Intel® processor technology for a wider range of applications than ever before. While the
“Haswell” microprocessor architecture — both core and graphics — is all new and takes
better advantage of the 22nm manufacturing process with Intel’s multigate FinFET
(“finned Field Effect Transistor”) design, the primary emphasis is on system level and
platform changes that increase efficiency and decrease power consumption.
Intel® claims 4th gen Haswell performance improvements of up to 13% CPU and up to
32% in 3D graphics over a comparable 3rd gen system. Judging by early benchmarks, real
world improvements may well be higher, but it all depends on picking the right processor
with the right graphics and the right chipset for the job.
Graphics and chipsets are increasingly important. Integrated graphics now come in GT1,
GT2 and GT3 levels with 10, 20 and 40 EUs (execution units), respectively, each level
operating at various GPU speeds depending on the CPU, and GT3 being further divided
into HD5000, Iris™, and Iris™ Pro versions. The also new “Lynx Point” 8-Series chipsets,
likewise, require close examination for the functions and Intel technologies they support.
Further, 4th generation Core™ processors come in BGA packages as well as in versions
for the new desktop LGA 1150 and mobile rPGA sockets. And there are also embedded 1chip versions where the chipset is integrated into the package.
With Haswell, Intel® offers more (and more attractive) technologies than ever, but there
will also be more choices than ever. As of May 2013, Intel® lists over 100 3rd generation
“Ivy Bridge” processors (albeit only 18 with the Embedded designation). Expect the same
or more from the 4th generation (download the Intel® ARK app for iOS and Android).
Underlying technologies and enhancements
The new Haswell core introduces four new
extensions/instructions that improve the x86
architecture. Full 256-bit AVX2.0 means improved
parallel processing and smaller code, benefitting
tasks such as encryption, compression, face detection,
etc. FMA3 (Fused Multiply/Add) means quicker
floating point operations. New BMI (integer bit
manipulation) affects search and networking. And
TSX (Transactional Synchronization Extensions) help
take maximum advantage of multi-core design.
Haswell also doubles the L1 and L2 cache bandwidth,
making for very rapid memory transfer.
EMBEDDED 4th GEN
INTEL® CORE™
PROCESSOR SOLUTIONS
4th Gen Intel® Core™ Low Power Solutions
SOM-5894 COM-Express Basic
The SOM-5894 is a COM-Express 2.1 Basic CPU module designed for use with a
wide variety of 4th generation mobile Intel® Core™ i3, i5 or i7 processors with
integrated graphics and Mobile Intel® Lynx Point chipsets. Despite its small size
(3.74 x 4.92 inch/95 x 125 mm), the SOM-5894 supports PCIe x16 Gen3, seven
PCIe x1, four 6Gb/s SATA III channels, four USB 3.0 (and 8 USB 2.0) ports, 8-bit
GPIO, HD audio, and up to 16GB of DDR3L 1333/1600 MHz RAM in two 204-pin
SODIMM slots. Most importantly, the SOM-5894 can support three independent
displays via VGA, LVDS, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort.
AIMB-274
The Mini ITX (6.7 x 6.7 inch/170 x 170 mm) AIMB-274 industrial motherboard
is designed for embedded projects with power draw limitations that still
need good performance and powerful graphics. Available with new desktop
LGA 1150 socket 4th gen Intel® Core™ processors and “Lynx Point” chipsets,
this compact board has integrated Intel HD graphics, offers AMT 9.0, triple
simultaneous display capability (DisplayPort/HDMI/LVDS/VGA), a superfast
PCIe 3.0 x16 Gen3 slot and two mini-PCIe slots, four SATA rev. 3 6Gb/s
channels, four USB 3.0 and six USB 2.0, two RS-232, dual gigabit Ethernet,
Watchdog Timer, optional TPM 1.2, and embedded software APIs.
AIMB-584
The AIMB-584 is a Micro-ATX (9.6 x 9.6 inches) industrial-grade
motherboard that uses the new "Lynx Point" Q87 or C226 chipsets
and a choice of several 4th gen Intel® Xeon® and Core™ i3, i5 and i7
CPUs. There are four 240-pin DIMM slots for up to 32GB of 1333/1600
MHz DDR3 memory, dual Gigabit Ethernet, software RAID support (0,
1, 5, 10), and four expansion slots (2 PCI, 1 PCIe x4, and 1 Gen3 PCIe
x16). There are six SATA III 6Gb/s channels, two SATA II 3Gb/s channels,
12 USB ports (4 x USB 3.0 and 8 x USB 2.0), Intel HD audio, embedded
software APIs, and extensive legacy support (RS-232/422/485, parallel,
PS/2). The board can drive three independent displays (via DVI, VGA,
LVDS or eDP) and supports Intel AMT 9.0 and TPM.
Note that these new boards and modules not only provide access to 4th gen Intel® Core™
processors, but also offer comprehensive embedded software APIs and utilities support for
functions such as Watchdog Timers, GPIO, SMBus, hardware monitor, brightness control and
Advantech iManager. Note that performance and graphics features depend on the SKU.
Mobile processor codes:
Desktop processor codes:
H = High performance GPU
M = Mobile
Q = Quad-core
U = Ultra-low power
X = Extreme
Y = Extreme-low power
E = Embedded
K = Unlocked
R = BGA package / high-performance GPU (5200)
S = Performance-optimized (low-power, 65w TDP)
T = Power-optimized (low-power, 35-45 TDP)
Intel® 4th Generation Core™ Processor Graphics (higher number = better performance)
®
™
Graphics
Official name
GT3e
GT3
GT3
Intel® Iris™ Pro 5200
Intel® Iris™ 5100
Intel® HD 5000
eDRAM EUs
yes
no
no
40
40
40
min. 47W
28W
15W
GT2
Intel® HD 4200/4400/4600 no
20
various
Across the board
GT1
Intel® HD 2x00
10
various
Server, Celeron versions
no
CPU TDP
Primarily used in:
H-Series mobile, R-Series desktop
Low-power mobile
Ultra-Low-Power mobile
4th Gen Intel® Core™ High Performance Solutions
ASMB-584 and ASMB-784
Advantech’s server-grade motherboards are designed to reliably provide superior
CPU/GPU/data transfer performance as well as large storage for industrial environments, yet with minimal development time and low total cost of ownership.
The ASMB-584 is a Micro-ATX (9.6 x 9.6 inches) workstation motherboard that
supports the LGA 1150 socket Haswell-based Intel® Xeon E3 V3 CPU at various TDP
levels up to 95 watts). ASMB-584 also uses the Intel C226 chipset that is part of
the new “Lynx Point” generation which allows up to four USB 3.0 ports (in addition to nine USB 2.0), six SATA III 6Gb/s channels, two Gen3 PCIe x16 slots (x8 link)
as well as a PCIe x4 and a standard PCI slot in order to provide superior bandwidth and plenty of expansion.
It is also equipped with DVI, VGA and dual DisplayPort, and iAMT 9.0 (or optional
IPMI) as well as embedded software APIs and utilities. The ASMB-584 represents
an ideal next-gen platform for numerous control room, surveillance, medical imaging and high-end MA applications.
If additional PCI expansions are needed, the ASMB-784 offers the same Haswellbased 4th generation LGA 1150/Xeon E3 V3 performance and functionality in a
full-size ATX (12 x 9.6 inches) form factor with three full PCI expansion slots, up to
four RJ45 Ethernet ports, dual DVI ports and an optional internal DisplayPort.
AIMB-784 ATX
The AIMB-784 is an ATX (12 x 9.6 inches) industrial-grade motherboard for
complex applications that require high data transfer speeds and maximum
expansion capabilities. It comes with the new "Lynx Point" high-end Q87 chipset
and the choice of several 4th generation Intel® Core™ i3, i5 and i7 4xxx processors.
There are four 240-pin DIMM slots for up to 32GB of 1333/1600 MHz DDR3
ECC/non-ECC memory, dual Gigabit Ethernet, SATA RAID support (0, 1, 5, 10), and
a total of seven expansion slots (4 PCI, 1 PCIe x1, 1 PCIe x4, and 1 Gen3 PCIe x16).
There are six SATA III 6Gb/s channels, 13 USB ports (6 x USB 3.0 and 7 x USB 2.0),
Intel HD audio, embedded software APIs, and extensive legacy support (RS232/422/485, parallel, PS/2).
Thanks to 4th generation Intel® technology, the AIMB-784 benefits from a lower
TDP, additional sleep states, low-noise fan profiles and speed control, and up to a
10% CPU performance increase over equivalent 3rd generation-powered versions.
The board can drive three independent displays (via 2 DVI-D, VGA, DisplayPort),
supports Intel AMT 9.0, has an internal LPC socket for a TPM module, and is
targeted at robotics, factory automation, interacting media and more.
PCE-5128 System Host Board
The PCE-5128 is a full-size, scalable PICMG 1.3 spec slot SBC (single board
computer) with a PCI Express board-to-backplane interface that’s perfect for
graphics-oriented systems (via the PCE-5000 series backplanes). It uses the top-ofthe-line Intel® Q87 “Lynx Point” chipset and supports 4th generation Intel®
LGA1150 socket Core™ processors for a 5-15% CPU performance and up to 2.6X
3D graphics performance increase over equivalent 3rd generation Core™
processors. The PCE-5128, which is designed for high-performance, scaleable
vertical applications, supports three independent displays via VGA, DisplayPort,
HDMI and two DVI-D. There are three USB 3.0 ports (in addition to five USB 2.0),
six SATA III 6Gb/s channels, remote management via AMT 9.0 and IMPI, and an
optional LPC module.
EMBEDDED 4th GEN
INTEL® CORE™
PROCESSOR SOLUTIONS
EMBEDDED 4th GEN
INTEL® CORE™
PROCESSOR SOLUTIONS
Haswell GPUs: More
Speed, More Options
Intel’s 3rd gen Ivy Bridge platform
went a long way in speeding up
integrated graphics. The new 4th
generation “Haswell” platform
continues along that path by
improving the standard Intel® HD
Graphics, and by adding
integrated Iris™ and Iris™ Pro
Graphics for heavy graphics users.
4th generation HD4x00 GPUs have
20 instead of 16 execution units,
and all Iris™ GPUs have 40 EUs.
There are numerous architectural
performance improvements and
even versions with dedicated
eDRAM. There is Microsoft DirectX
11.1 (as opposed to 11.0 in Ivy
Bridge), DisplayPort 1.2, OpenGL
4.0 (instead of 3.1), OpenCL 1.2
support (instead of 1.1), enhanced
4Kx2K support, and screen collage
display with dedicated UI controls.
Depending on the processor, for
media and graphics-intensive
designs Intel® claims between 25%
and 100% higher graphics
performance. The 4th gen’s new
power, overall better graphics
experience, extended standards
support, and ability to drive three
displays open numerous new highend graphics applications to
developers and systems
integrators.
4th Gen Intel® Core™ Platform Q&A
Are there special Haswell CPUs for embedded applications?
Yes, just as in prior generations, Intel® offers certain processors
as having “Embedded Options Available.” That means 7-year life
support, special OS validation, higher reliability to meet
embedded use conditions, special form factors and/or packaging,
and some chips are supporting EEC (Error Correcting Code).
Are there server versions of Haswell architecture CPUs?
Yes, the Intel® Xeon E3 1200 v3 family of processors — designed for server, networking
and storage applications — is based on the Haswell microprocessor architecture. Intel® HD
graphics (GT1 or GT2 level) accelerate video analytic workloads with improved transcode
performance. To address power level concerns, the lowest TDP will be 13 watts.
How suitable is Haswell for thermally sensitive designs?
4th generation mobile Core™ processors will be available with TDPs as low as 15 watts (Useries, including the integrated Lynx Point-LP chipset), and some support configurable TDP.
Power management has been improved yet again with the inclusion of a new “active/idle”
power state. Many platforms support low-power DDR3L memory. Initial 4th gen mobile
embedded BGA H-Series CPUs will be at the 25, 37 and 47 watt TDP levels.
What are the 4th gen benefits for graphics and media intensive projects?
Haswell offers both greater graphics performance via a new GPU architecture and more
execution units, as well as more graphics level choices, including versions with embedded,
dedicated DRAM for performance comparable to that of discrete graphics cards. There is
also the ability to drive three independent displays (any combinations of DisplayPort,
HDMI, and DVI are possible, though not three of a kind), including tools to configure
video walls. Some Haswell graphics levels can also support emerging 4k video.
Do 4th gen graphics really replace discrete graphics cards?
It depends. Iris™ Pro graphics (HD5200) with embedded DRAM perform at the level of
some discrete graphics cards, and other GT3 level (HD5000/5100) do as well. Intel® claims
even Haswell HD4x00 performs like entry-level discrete graphics cards. And integrated
graphics mean less complexity and lower overall TDP compared to discrete graphics cards.
What are the 4th gen advances for I/O intensive applications?
Between PCIe Gen3 (running on the CPU now), up to six SATA III channels and up to six
USB 3.0 ports, bandwidth bottlenecks are largely a thing of the past. ECC versions of some
processors are available to guard against memory errors. All native SATA channels are now
full 6 Gb/s. In addition, some of the Lynx chipsets allow USB I/O port flexibility where users
can set a port to the suitable USB rev., and some support quad-read SPI (Serial Peripheral
Interface) devices.
Any news in security?
For more information:
www.advantech.com
ECGInfo@advantech.com
1-800-866-6008
There are new Intel® AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) instructions, faster encryption,
Intel® Platform Protection Technology (Mobile U-Series) protects Flash from modification
and prevents running unauthorized software, Platform Trust Technology handles
credential storage and key management under Windows 8, there is available vPro with
AMT 9.0, TXT, VTd, Secure Key and AES-NI. Note that it is mostly the i5, i7 and server
processors that have those advanced security features.