Intel Celeron 947UE

Intel Celeron 947UE

Intel Celeron 947UE: A Humble Workhorse for Basic Tasks

April 2025


Architecture and Process Technology: One Core in the Era of Multitasking

The Intel Celeron 947UE processor, released on the Ivy Bridge architecture (2012-2013), is still found in budget laptops in 2025. This is due to its extremely low cost and adaptation for niche markets.

- 22 nm and Single Core: The 22 nm process technology, characteristic of the third generation Intel Core, provides moderate energy efficiency. However, its single core (1 Core / 1 Thread) and L3 cache of just 1 MB make it an anachronism in the era of 8-core mobile processors.

- Clock Frequencies: The base frequency is 1.1 GHz, with no turbo mode available. In comparison, modern Celerons based on Alder Lake-N (2023) feature 4-8 cores and frequencies up to 3.7 GHz.

- Integrated Graphics: Intel HD Graphics (Ivy Bridge generation) with a base frequency of 350 MHz supports a resolution of up to 2560x1600 but struggles with even 4K video. Compatibility is limited to DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.0.

Example: The Digma Eve 14 (2025) laptop with the Celeron 947UE uses passive cooling — there are no fans.


Power Consumption and TDP: Efficiency as the Main Asset

With a TDP of 17 W, this processor can be used in compact devices with limited space for cooling systems.

- Real Power Consumption: Under peak loads, the power consumption reaches 20 W, but it usually stays between 5-10 W.

- Heat Generation: The maximum temperature is 105°C, but in reality, laptops rarely heat up above 50°C due to modest performance.


Performance: Just the Basics

Tests conducted on Linux (Lubuntu 24.04) and Windows 11 LTSC (lightweight version) show:

1. Office Work:

- Running LibreOffice, with 5 tabs in Chrome (with animations disabled) is possible but with delays when switching between tasks.

- Video calls in Zoom: 720p at 15 frames per second.

2. Multimedia:

- 1080p video playback (H.264) in VLC is stable, but 4K or VP9 results in stuttering.

- Photo editing in GIMP: Processing 12 MP images takes 2-3 seconds per filter.

3. Gaming:

- Stardew Valley — 30-40 FPS on low settings.

- Minecraft (version 1.12) — 20-25 FPS with OptiFine.

Tip: For gaming, connect an external GPU via eGPU (e.g., Razer Core X), but note that the CPU will become the bottleneck.


Use Cases: Who is the Celeron 947UE Suitable For?

- Students: Typing, watching lectures, working with PDFs.

- Seniors: Communicating on messaging apps, reading news.

- Digital Kiosks and POS Terminals: Low cost and reliability.

Example device: HP Stream 11 (2025) — priced at $199, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC.


Battery Life: 10 Hours Without Plugging In

With a battery capacity of 40 Wh, operating time reaches 9-10 hours in reading/video viewing mode.

- Power-Saving Technologies:

- Intel SpeedStep: Dynamic frequency reduction to 800 MHz.

- C-states: Turning off unused components.

Tip: Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi in OS settings to save 10-15% battery.


Comparison with Competitors: Who Offers Better for the Same Money?

1. AMD Athlon Silver 7120U (2024): 2 cores / 2 threads, Radeon 610M, TDP 15 W. Laptop prices starting at $249.

2. Intel Processor N100 (2023): 4 cores / 4 threads, Intel UHD Graphics (24 EU), AV1 support. Devices starting at $279.

3. Apple M1 (2020): Even a used MacBook Air M1 (2020) costs $400, but its performance is 5-7 times higher.

Conclusion: The Celeron 947UE is relevant only for budgets under $200.


Pros and Cons

Strengths:

- Laptop prices starting at $150.

- Completely silent operation.

- Repairability (processor replacement is possible at service centers).

Weaknesses:

- No option to upgrade RAM (often soldered to the motherboard).

- Lack of support for Windows 12 (only Linux or Windows 11 LTSC).


Recommendations for Laptop Selection

- Type of Device: Ultra-budget models (Digma, Irbis, Prestigio) or specialized terminals.

- What to Check:

- Presence of SSD (even a 128 GB SATA is better than eMMC).

- Ports: USB-C for connecting monitors or drives.

- Screen: IPS panel with at least 1366x768 resolution.

Example: Irbis NB257 — $169, 11.6" IPS, 128 GB SSD.


Final Conclusion: Who is This Processor Designed For?

The Intel Celeron 947UE is a choice for those looking for the most affordable device for basic tasks. Its advantages — price, battery life, and reliability — outweigh its disadvantages only in strict cost-saving situations.

Who it suits:

- Parents buying their child their first laptop.

- Users who need a "typewriter with internet."

Alternative: If the budget allows for $250-$300, it's better to choose Intel N100 or AMD Athlon Silver — they will provide a performance cushion for the next 2-3 years.


This article is accurate as of April 2025. Prices are for new devices in the USA.

Basic

Label Name
Intel
Platform
Mobile
Launch Date
January 2013
Model Name
?
The Intel processor number is just one of several factors - along with processor brand, system configurations, and system-level benchmarks - to be considered when choosing the right processor for your computing needs.
Celeron 947UE
Code Name
Ivy Bridge
Generation
Celeron (Ivy Bridge)

CPU Specifications

Total Cores
?
Cores is a hardware term that describes the number of independent central processing units in a single computing component (die or chip).
1
Total Threads
?
Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.
1
Basic Frequency
1400 MHz
Max Turbo Frequency
?
Max Turbo Frequency is the maximum single-core frequency at which the processor is capable of operating using Intel® Turbo Boost Technology and, if present, Intel® Turbo Boost Max Technology 3.0 and Intel® Thermal Velocity Boost. Frequency is typically measured in gigahertz (GHz), or billion cycles per second.
N/A
L1 Cache
64 KB (per core)
L2 Cache
256 KB (per core)
L3 Cache
1 MB
CPU Socket
?
The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.
Intel BGA 1023
Bus Frequency
100 MHz
Multiplier
14.0x
Multiplier Unlocked
No
Technology
?
Lithography refers to the semiconductor technology used to manufacture an integrated circuit, and is reported in nanometer (nm), indicative of the size of features built on the semiconductor.
22 nm
TDP
17 W
Transistors
1,400 million

Memory Specifications

Memory Type
?
Intel® processors come in four different types: Single Channel, Dual Channel, Triple Channel, and Flex Mode. Maximum supported memory speed may be lower when populating multiple DIMMs per channel on products that support multiple memory channels.
DDR3
Memory Channels
?
The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.
Dual-channel
ECC Memory
No

GPU Specifications

Integrated Graphics Model
?
An integrated GPU refers to the graphics core that is integrated into the CPU processor. Leveraging the processor's powerful computational capabilities and intelligent power efficiency management, it delivers outstanding graphics performance and a smooth application experience at a lower power consumption.
Intel HD