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Lakefield CPUs: Compatibility and Performance on Windows 11

7 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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With a revamped Start menu, support for Android apps through the Amazon Store, and an impressive design, Windows 11 captures everyone’s attention with its major changes in terms of user interface and functionality.

However, the OS also brings some new hardware requirements. Windows 11 doesn’t support older devices, and many users have no other chance but to upgrade.

Does the operating system work with Lakefield CPUs? These are the first Intel Core processors shipping with attached package-on-package memory (PoP) and using 10nm technology.

We’re going to answer this and many other questions that you have about Lakefield processors, so let’s get started.

Windows 11 and Lakefield: Compatibility and performance

Lakefield processors were released byIntelin the second quartal of 2020, and they are Intel’s first hybrid laptop processors.

Unlike regular models, the Lakefield series combines the design of Core processors and a cluster of four smaller Atom processor designs into a single processor.

The idea is to give you the power of Core processors and the energy efficiency of the AtomCPUsinto a unique chip.

Now that you know more about Lakefield processors, let’s take a look at their features.

Main hardware specs of Lakefield processors

Lakefield series has only two models,IntelCore i5-L16G7 andIntelCore i3-L13G4, and both models are using 10nm technology while having 5 cores and threads.

They have 4MB cache and 4GT/s bus speed as well as 7W scenario design power. Regarding memory, both models can support up to 8GB, and they are fully compatible with LPDDR4X 4267 POP memory.

This is not where the similarities end since they useIntelUHD Graphics and support 4K at 60Hz, up to four displays, DX12, and OpenGL 4.5.

Regarding the differences,IntelCore i5-L16G7 has a base frequency of 1.40GHz, and with Turbo boost it can reach 3.00GHz. This model also has 64 execution units in its graphics processor.

On the other hand, Core i3-L13G4 has a base frequency of 800MHz, and with Turbo Boost it can reach 2.80GHz. As for the graphics processor, this model has 48 execution units.

As you can see, both models offer similar features, butIntelCore i5-L16G7 offers higher frequency and more execution units, thus ensuring betterperformance.

Here’s a quick overview of the twoCPUs:

Can Lakefield processors work with Windows 11?

Lakefield processors were released not that long ago, and they are fully compatible withWindows11.

They support Secure Boot, which is a requirement for this OS, and to learn more about this subject, just check out ourWindows 11 and TPMarticle.

If you have a device with a Lakefield processor, you should be able to upgrade and runWindows11 without any problems.

Lakefield and Windows 11 performance

The operating system runs pretty well on Lakefield processors. Windows 11 brings performance improvements for low-end devices, so this was expected.

Microsoft may have optimized the new version ofWindowsspecifically for hybridCPUssuch as Lakefield, thus resulting inperformanceimprovement.

To be more precise, using Core i5-L16G7 onWindows11 brought a 5.8%performanceincrease in multithread mode and a 2% increase in single-thread mode.

Other tests show up to an 8.2%performanceincrease for single-core operations, meaning thatWindows11 works better with Lakefield processors compared to Windows 10.

How do Lakefield processors compare to other processors?

Although Lakefield processors can handleWindows11 relatively well, they don’t compare too well to other laptop processors.

On benchmark tests, the i5-L16G7 performed somewhat poorly, just behind the Microsoft ARM SQ1 processor.

To learn more about Microsoft SQ1 and other Qualcomm processors, be sure to check ourWindows 11 and Qualcomm articlefor detailed benchmark results and more information.

Lakefield processors can’t compete with other laptop processors in terms ofperformance, and if you want to enjoyhigh-intensive tasks on your laptop, they might not be for you.

However, when comparing Lakefield Core i5-L16G7 withIntelAtom processors, it’s obvious that Lakefield has betterperformancethan its Atom counterparts.

Bottom line is, Core i5-L16G7 isn’t the bestCPUperformance-wise, but if you own an Atom device, then Core i5-L16G7 will be a great improvement, and it should be able to handle most everyday tasks on your PC.

Lakefield processors: Pros & Cons

Lakefield processors are hybrid processors designed to give you better battery life compared to other desktopCPUswhile delivering betterperformancethan theIntelAtomCPUline.

Lakefield laptopscan last up to 9 and a half hours with moderate use, such as web browsing, which should be enough for most users.

However, if you’re looking forperformance, then Lakefield processors might not be for you since they aren’t ideal for resource-intensive tasks.

While they are power efficient, they can handle some light gaming and everyday tasks such as browsing the web, office work, and multimedia but don’t expect too much from them.

If you’re looking forperformanceand you’re planning to use your laptop for some resource-intensive tasks, then LakefieldCPUsmight not be for you.

How do Lakefield processors compare to Snapdragon processors?

SnapdragonCPUsare ARM processors, which means that they are optimized for mobile devices and ARM instructions. This can be a problem when trying to run x86 or x64Windowsapps.

While Snapdragon processors can handle these types of applications, they rely on emulation to run them, which results in lowerperformance.

On the other hand, Lakefield processors are x86 processors and they can handle 64-bit software, thus resulting in betterperformancewhen running these types of apps.

When runningWindowssoftware, Core i5-L16G7 did better than Snapdragon 8cx with x86 software, but Snapdragon 8cx offered better battery life, especially when using software that is optimized for ARM.

Regarding benchmarks, Snapdragon 8cx and mostWindows11 compatible Snapdragons processors outperformed Core i5-L16G7.

However, it’s worth noting that Core i5-L16G7 did better on benchmarks than Snapdragon 7c and Snapdragon 850, while performing worse compared to other models.

Overall, Snapdragon processors offer superior battery life and better benchmarkperformance. However, when usingWindowsapps, Core i5-L16G7 will give users better results thanks to its native support for x86 and x64 instructions.

What happened to Lakefield processors?

Just a year after the official release,Inteldecided to discontinue this processor line because they couldn’t compete with other laptopCPUsin terms ofperformance.

Lakefield processors didn’tperformtoo well, and they were featured only on Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Fold and Samsung Galaxy Book S laptops, thereforeInteldecided to discontinue them.

However, the technology used in Lakefield will be used in for futureIntelCPUline called Alder Lake. Not much is known about these processors, except that they’ll have 8 traditional cores and 8 smaller cores.

Even though these processors didn’tperformtoo well on the market, they paved the way for Alder Lake processors, and we’re expecting to see them before the end of the year.

Windows11 and Lakefield processors should work without any problems, and if you’re on a Lakefield device, get ready for aperformanceboost when you upgrade toWindows11.

When planning to buy a Lakefield device just forWindows11, keep in mind that Lakefield processors don’t offer the sameperformanceas other laptop processors, but they do use less power.

Are you using a Lakefield device and are you pleased with it? Let us know your thoughts on Lakefield processors in the comments below.

Lakefield CPUs: Compatibility and Performance on Windows 11#

Windows 11 and Lakefield: Compatibility and performance#

Main hardware specs of Lakefield processors#

Can Lakefield processors work with Windows 11?#

Lakefield and Windows 11 performance#

How do Lakefield processors compare to other processors?#

Lakefield processors: Pros & Cons#

How do Lakefield processors compare to Snapdragon processors?#

What happened to Lakefield processors?#