Intel introduced its 7th Generation Core Processor, Kaby Lake. There are lots of articles about this new chip’s great performance. On the other hand, what about the point of view from an end user? What are the real benefits of Kaby Lake compares to Skylake? Therefore, let’s compare and contrast the main changes between Kaby Lake and Skylake processors.

Intel Kaby Lake
Intel Kaby Lake

Kaby Lake Processor

Kaby Lake comes with a lot more features and designs. First of all, it comes with default support for USB 3.1. With USB 3.1, it runs faster than previous versions of the standard USB. In the past, if users wanted to use USB 3.1, they would have needed to have an add-on chip installed. Moreover, Kaby Lake processors also support HDCP 2.2. So what is HDCP? HDCP is defined as an acronym for High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection. In addition, it is a form of digital copy security to avoid copying of digital audio and video files. Basically, HDCP protects the digital copy as they travel through connections. Therefore, HDCP is used in interfaces such as DVI, HDMI, and so on.

Kaby Lake also features some other improvements. Both processors can have 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes from the CPU.  With Kaby Lake have up to 24 PCIe lanes from the Platform Controller Hub.  Kaby Lake also improves stock clock speeds across the board an average of 200-300 MHz. A faster CPU equals a faster PC. Skylake and Kaby Lake are having the same price, but Kaby Lake runs faster. Therefore, people tend to choose Kaby Lake over Skylake. Kaby Lake provides faster Turbo speed by improving the Speed Shift. Kaby Lake makes the alteration from stock to Turbo quicker than before.

Most importantly, no legacy operating system support for Kaby Lake equipped systems. Therefore, legacy operating systems are, for example like Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. The policy has to limit Kaby Lake processor support to Windows 10 operating system only.

Skylake Processor

Intel platform Skylake, which is compatible with earlier versions of Windows. Skylake works for Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10 while Kaby Lake is for Windows 10 only. Skylake can contain chips with either two cores or four cores. Furthermore, Intel admits that one can see the most successful jumps on Skaylake in the Mobile industry.  Skylake mobile CPUs are delivering better performance than previous versions.  Better performances, for example, run 2.5 times faster when processing. In addition, 30 times better graphics performance and 3 times the battery life than compared to earlier chips.

FES9280 is Acnodes' military-grade embedded computer powered by the 6th generation Skylake Core i7-6600U 2.6GHz CPU.

Acnodes Corporation has a wide array of product line configurations. They can customize most commercial and industrial computers to one’s specific needs.  For information, please visit  www.acnodes.com or email [email protected]

About Acnodes Corporation

Acnodes Corporation makes, sells, and designs industrial computers and display solutions for diverse industries that range from automation to military. Most of all, they supply efficient and valuable products for their customers. They have a host of technological innovations in Panel PCs, embedded computers, rack mount servers, and rugged monitors. Acnodes Corporation strives to meet their clients’ needs with cutting-edge technology and solutions.