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Intel Pentium 2117U

Intel Pentium 2117U: A Budget Processor for Basic Tasks in 2025

(Analysis of Relevance, Performance, and Use Cases)

Architecture and Manufacturing Process: The Legacy of Ivy Bridge

The Intel Pentium 2117U processor, released in 2013, belongs to the Ivy Bridge generation and is manufactured using a 22nm process. It is a dual-core CPU without Hyper-Threading support (2 threads), with a base frequency of 1.8 GHz and no Turbo Boost mode. The integrated graphics are Intel HD Graphics (based on the Ivy Bridge architecture) with a frequency of 350–1000 MHz.

Architecture Features:

- Cores and Threads: 2/2 — a minimal configuration even for its time.

- iGPU: HD Graphics supports video decoding in H.264 and MPEG-2 formats but cannot handle 4K or modern AV1 codecs.

- Cache: 2MB L3 — a small size for data caching, limiting processing speed.

For 2025, such architecture looks outdated, but it may still be used in ultra-budget laptops due to low manufacturing costs.

Power Consumption and TDP: Saving Power at the Expense of Performance

The processor's TDP is 17W, which is typical for mobile solutions from the Ivy Bridge era. This allows for the creation of thin laptops without active cooling or with compact coolers.

Power-Saving Technologies:

- Intel SpeedStep: Dynamically adjusts frequency to reduce power consumption.

- C-states: Management of sleep modes (e.g., disabling unused cores).

However, the absence of modern technologies like Intel Adaptix or hardware optimization for AI workloads makes the Pentium 2117U less efficient compared to chips from 2025.

Performance: Minimum for Survival

According to Geekbench 6 tests (Single-Core: 298, Multi-Core: 515), the processor lags behind even budget models from 2025, such as the Intel Celeron N5100 (SC: 850+, MC: 1800+) or the Apple M1 (SC: 2300+).

Real-World Tasks:

- Office Work: Google Docs, Excel with spreadsheets of up to 10,000 rows are acceptable, but with delays for complex formulas.

- Multimedia: Watching YouTube at 1080p is possible, but 4K will cause stuttering.

- Gaming: Only old games like Half-Life 2 at low settings (10-15 FPS).

Turbo Mode: Absent, so the frequency ceiling is fixed at 1.8 GHz. This makes the processor predictable but inflexible.

Use Cases: For Whom is the Pentium 2117U Relevant in 2025?

1. Devices for Basic Tasks:

- Email reading, text work, web browsing.

- Example: Laptops for students or seniors (e.g., Dell Inspiron 15 3000).

2. Backup Devices:

- Inexpensive gadgets for travel, where the risk of loss or damage is high.

3. Office Terminals:

- Connecting to remote desktops or cloud services.

Important: This processor is not suitable for graphics work, video editing, gaming, or multitasking (running a browser with 10+ tabs and a messenger will cause lag).

Battery Life: How Long Will the Battery Last?

With a battery capacity of 40-45 Wh (typical for budget laptops), the working time reaches 5-7 hours in reading/video viewing mode. However, in 2025, even budget chips from Intel's N-series or AMD's Athlon Silver provide 8-10 hours of autonomy thanks to more advanced manufacturing processes (7-10 nm).

Issues with Pentium 2117U:

- High power consumption under peak loads.

- Lack of hardware decoders for VP9 or AV1 — browsers use the CPU for video processing, which quickly drains the battery.

Comparison with Competitors: Who is Ahead?

1. AMD Athlon Silver 3050U (2020):

- 2 cores / 4 threads, TDP 15W, Geekbench 6 SC: 650, MC: 1200.

- Advantage: SMT support, more modern Zen architecture.

2. Intel Celeron N4500 (2021):

- 2 cores / 2 threads, TDP 6W, Geekbench 6 SC: 550, MC: 900.

- Pros: Lower power consumption, Wi-Fi 6 support.

3. Apple M1 (2020):

- 8 cores / 8 threads, TDP 10W, Geekbench 6 SC: 2300, MC: 7500.

- Far superior to Pentium in all parameters, but laptops with M1 start at $800.

Conclusion: The Pentium 2117U falls short even against budget models from 2020-2022. Its only advantage is the price of devices based on it ($250-$350 in 2025).

Pros and Cons: Is it Worth Considering?

Strengths:

- Low laptop prices (from $250).

- Sufficient performance for simple tasks.

- Passive cooling in some models — complete silence.

Weaknesses:

- Does not support modern Wi-Fi 6 or Bluetooth 5.2 standards.

- No hardware acceleration for AI tasks or neural networks.

- Limited OS support: Windows 11 is officially incompatible.

Recommendations for Choosing a Laptop

If you are considering a device with a Pentium 2117U in 2025, pay attention to:

1. Storage Type: Only SSD! HDD will make the system unbearably slow.

2. RAM Size: At least 8GB (but better 16GB for working with Chrome).

3. Screen: Matte coating and 1920×1080 resolution — this will reduce eye strain.

4. Portrait of an Ideal Device: Ultrabook weighing up to 1.5 kg, SSD 256 GB, 8 GB RAM (e.g., Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3).

Warning: Laptops with this processor are often sold with cut-down specifications (e.g., 4GB RAM or TN screen). Avoid such options!

Final Conclusion: Who is the Pentium 2117U Suitable For?

This processor is a choice for those who:

- Are looking for the cheapest new laptop ($250-$350).

- Plan to use the device only for browsing, Word, and Zoom.

- Value silence (in fanless models).

Key Benefits:

- The price is lower than that of mid-range smartphones.

- Compatibility with lightweight operating systems like Linux Lite or CloudReady.

However, if your budget allows you to spend $400-$500, it is better to choose a laptop based on Intel's N-series or AMD Ryzen 3 — this will be a more durable investment.

Basic

Label Name

Intel

Platform

Mobile

Launch Date

July 2012

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.

2117U

Code Name

Ivi 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).

Total Threads

Where applicable, Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology is only available on Performance-cores.

Basic Frequency

1.80 GHz

Intel Turbo Boost Technology

Intel® Turbo Boost Technology dynamically increases the processor's frequency as needed by taking advantage of thermal and power headroom to give you a burst of speed when you need it, and increased energy efficiency when you don’t.

Intel Hyper-Threading Technology

Intel® Hyper-Threading Technology (Intel® HT Technology) delivers two processing threads per physical core. Highly threaded applications can get more work done in parallel, completing tasks sooner.

CPU Socket

The socket is the component that provides the mechanical and electrical connections between the processor and motherboard.

FCBGA1023

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

Max. Operating Temperature

Junction Temperature is the maximum temperature allowed at the processor die.

105 C

PCI Express Version

PCI Express Revision is the supported version of the PCI Express standard. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (or PCIe) is a high-speed serial computer expansion bus standard for attaching hardware devices to a computer. The different PCI Express versions support different data rates.

2.0

Number of PCI Express Lanes

A PCI Express (PCIe) lane consists of two differential signaling pairs, one for receiving data, one for transmitting data, and is the basic unit of the PCIe bus. Max # of PCI Express Lanes is the total number of supported lanes.

Intel 64

Intel® 64 architecture delivers 64-bit computing on server, workstation, desktop and mobile platforms when combined with supporting software.¹ Intel 64 architecture improves performance by allowing systems to address more than 4 GB of both virtual and physical memory.

Yes

Instruction Set

The instruction set is a hard program stored inside the CPU that guides and optimizes CPU operations. With these instruction sets, the CPU can run more efficiently. There are many manufacturers that design CPUs, which results in different instruction sets, such as the 8086 instruction set for the Intel camp and the RISC instruction set for the ARM camp. x86, ARM v8, and MIPS are all codes for instruction sets. Instruction sets can be extended; for example, x86 added 64-bit support to create x86-64. Manufacturers developing CPUs that are compatible with a certain instruction set need authorization from the instruction set patent holder. A typical example is Intel authorizing AMD, enabling the latter to develop CPUs compatible with the x86 instruction set.

64-bit

PCI Express Configurations

PCI Express (PCIe) Configurations describe the available PCIe lane configurations that can be used to link to PCIe devices.

1x16 | 2x8 | 1x8 2x4

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/L/-RS 1333/1600

Max Memory Size

Max memory size refers to the maximum memory capacity supported by the processor.

32 GB

Memory Channels

The number of memory channels refers to the bandwidth operation for real world application.

Bus Speed

5 GT/s

Max Memory Bandwidth

Max Memory bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be read from or stored into a semiconductor memory by the processor (in GB/s).

25.6 GB/s

ECC Memory Supported

ECC Memory Supported indicates processor support for Error-Correcting Code memory. ECC memory is a type of system memory that can detect and correct common kinds of internal data corruption. Note that ECC memory support requires both processor and chipset support.

GPU Specifications

GPU Name

Intel® HD Graphics for 3rd Generation Intel® Processors

Graphics Base Frequency

Graphics Base frequency refers to the rated/guaranteed graphics render clock frequency in MHz.

350 MHz

Graphics Frequency

Graphics max dynamic frequency refers to the maximum opportunistic graphics render clock frequency (in MHz) that can be supported using Intel® HD Graphics with Dynamic Frequency feature.

1.00 GHz

Number of Displays Supported

Graphics Output

Graphics Output defines the interfaces available to communicate with display devices.

eDP/DP/HDMI/SDVO/CRT

Miscellaneous

Intel Virtualization Technology (VT-x)

Intel® Virtualization Technology (VT-x) allows one hardware platform to function as multiple “virtual” platforms. It offers improved manageability by limiting downtime and maintaining productivity by isolating computing activities into separate partitions.

Yes

Intel Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d)

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) continues from the existing support for IA-32 (VT-x) and Itanium® processor (VT-i) virtualization adding new support for I/O-device virtualization. Intel VT-d can help end users improve security and reliability of the systems and also improve performance of I/O devices in virtualized environments.

Instruction Set Extensions

Intel® SSE4.1 | Intel® SSE4.2

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology

Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology is an advanced means of enabling high performance while meeting the power-conservation needs of mobile systems. Conventional Intel SpeedStep® Technology switches both voltage and frequency in tandem between high and low levels in response to processor load. Enhanced Intel SpeedStep® Technology builds upon that architecture using design strategies such as Separation between Voltage and Frequency Changes, and Clock Partitioning and Recovery.

Yes

Execute Disable Bit

Execute Disable Bit is a hardware-based security feature that can reduce exposure to viruses and malicious-code attacks and prevent harmful software from executing and propagating on the server or network.

Yes

Cache

CPU Cache is an area of fast memory located on the processor. Intel® Smart Cache refers to the architecture that allows all cores to dynamically share access to the last level cache.

2 MB Intel® Smart Cache

Intel AES New Instructions

Intel® AES New Instructions (Intel® AES-NI) are a set of instructions that enable fast and secure data encryption and decryption. AES-NI are valuable for a wide range of cryptographic applications, for example: applications that perform bulk encryption/decryption, authentication, random number generation, and authenticated encryption.

Intel Clear Video HD Technology

Intel® Clear Video HD Technology, like its predecessor, Intel® Clear Video Technology, is a suite of image decode and processing technologies built into the integrated processor graphics that improve video playback, delivering cleaner, sharper images, more natural, accurate, and vivid colors, and a clear and stable video picture. Intel® Clear Video HD Technology adds video quality enhancements for richer color and more realistic skin tones.

Intel Clear Video Technology

Intel VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT)

Intel® VT-x with Extended Page Tables (EPT), also known as Second Level Address Translation (SLAT), provides acceleration for memory intensive virtualized applications. Extended Page Tables in Intel® Virtualization Technology platforms reduces the memory and power overhead costs and increases battery life through hardware optimization of page table management.

Yes

Intel InTru 3D Technology

Intel Flex Memory Access

Yes

Intel Quick Sync Video

Intel® Quick Sync Video delivers fast conversion of video for portable media players, online sharing, and video editing and authoring.

Benchmarks

Geekbench 6

Single Core Score

298

Geekbench 6

Multi Core Score

515

Geekbench 5

Single Core Score

346

Geekbench 5

Multi Core Score

619

Passmark CPU

Single Core Score

928

Passmark CPU

Multi Core Score

1018

Compared to Other CPU

Geekbench 6 Single Core

Xeon E5-1428L v2

385 +29.2%

Xeon E5-2650L v2

347 +16.4%

Pentium 2117U

298

A4-3310MX

247 -17.1%

A6-1450

152 -49%

Geekbench 6 Multi Core

Core i3-2330M

712 +38.3%

Celeron 5205U

626 +21.6%

Pentium 2117U

515

E2-3000M

371 -28%

C-60

140 -72.8%

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Pentium G620T

414 +19.7%

Opteron 6276

377 +9%

Pentium 2117U

346

Celeron 3205U

312 -9.8%

A4-3320M

266 -23.1%

Geekbench 5 Multi Core

Pentium G645T

807 +30.4%

A6-6400K

715 +15.5%

Pentium 2117U

619

Pentium 987

507 -18.1%

Celeron N2830

386 -37.6%

Passmark CPU Single Core

A8-5557M

1037 +11.7%

Core i3-2328M

985 +6.1%

Pentium 2117U

928

A4-3310MX

821 -11.5%

Athlon 5350

699 -24.7%

Passmark CPU Multi Core

Pentium G6960

1293 +27%

Celeron 3755U

1182 +16.1%

Pentium 2117U

1018

Core i3-2357M

788 -22.6%

Celeron 857

569 -44.1%