Intel Celeron N2806

The Intel Celeron N2806 is a dual-core mobile processor built on the Silvermont architecture, part of the Bay Trail-M family. It operates at a base clock of 1580 MHz and can boost to 2000 MHz, with a thermal design power of just 4 watts. This processor is designed for low-power, portable devices, and its specifications reflect a focus on efficiency over raw performance.

Platform and Compatibility

The N2806 uses the Intel BGA 1170 socket, a surface-mount design that is typically soldered directly to the motherboard. This indicates that the processor is not intended for user replacement or upgrade, and any system built around it will have the CPU permanently attached. The production status is listed as Active, meaning the processor is still available for system integrators or embedded applications. Memory support is limited to DDR3 modules; the fact pack does not specify a memory bus width or bandwidth, so the memory interface is not quantified. ECC memory is not supported, which is common for consumer-oriented processors. The lack of a PCIe specification in the data means that expansion options are not documented; however, integrated graphics are present in the form of HD Graphics, which provides basic display output without the need for a discrete GPU.

The processor is from the Celeron (Bay Trail) generation, with the codename "Bay Trail-M" and architecture "Silvermont". It was released on November 30, 2013. The market segment is Mobile, confirming its intended use in laptops, netbooks, and similar portable devices. The foundry is Intel, and the process node is 22 nm, which is a key factor in achieving the low power envelope. The processor does not belong to any specific series (series is null), and its multiplier is not unlocked, meaning overclocking is not supported.

Power and Thermals

The thermal design power (TDP) of the N2806 is 4 watts. This is an extremely low figure, placing it in the lowest power class of processors. Such a low TDP implies that the processor can be cooled with passive solutions, no active fan is required, and that it is suitable for fanless designs or devices where battery life is paramount. The 22 nm process node contributes to this efficiency by reducing leakage and switching power. The boost clock of 2000 MHz is achieved within this 4W envelope, indicating that the processor can deliver a reasonable burst of performance when needed, but sustained operation will likely settle at the base clock of 1580 MHz to stay within thermal limits. The low power draw also means that the processor generates minimal heat, simplifying thermal management in compact chassis. The absence of an L3 cache (the field is null) further reduces power consumption, as fewer transistors are active during operation.

Who Should Consider It

Given its dual-core, dual-thread configuration with a modest base clock of 1580 MHz and boost up to 2000 MHz, the N2806 is best suited for basic computing tasks. These include web browsing, word processing, spreadsheet work, and light media consumption. The integrated HD Graphics can handle video playback and simple 2D graphics, but it is not designed for gaming or 3D rendering. The processor's low TDP of 4W makes it an excellent choice for always-on devices, small form-factor PCs, or portable systems where power efficiency is a priority. The 50th percentile ranking among all CPUs (as per the provided data) suggests that it sits at the median of the overall performance distribution, which is consistent with an entry-level part. However, because the average benchmark score is listed as 0, there is no quantitative performance data to confirm this positioning. The processor is not suitable for heavy multi-threaded workloads, video editing, or modern gaming, as its two cores and two threads limit parallelism and its clock speeds are modest.

FAQ

Q: What is the thermal design power (TDP) of the Intel Celeron N2806?

A: The TDP is 4 watts.

Q: What type of memory does the N2806 support?

A: It supports DDR3 memory. ECC memory is not supported.

Q: What socket does the processor use?

A: It uses the Intel BGA 1170 socket.

Q: How many cores and threads does it have?

A: It has 2 cores and 2 threads.

Q: What is the release date of the N2806?

A: It was released on November 30, 2013.

Q: Does the processor have an integrated GPU?

A: Yes, it includes HD Graphics.

Benchmark Performance

The FACT PACK does not include any benchmark scores for the Intel Celeron N2806. The average benchmark score is listed as 0, and there are no entries in the benchmarks array. As a result, a quantitative analysis of its performance relative to other processors is not possible. The only performance-related metric provided is the percentileVsAllCpus, which is 50. This indicates that the processor sits at the 50th percentile of all CPUs in the database, but without underlying scores, this figure should be interpreted cautiously. It does not imply a specific level of performance; rather, it reflects the distribution of whatever data is present, which may be incomplete or skewed.

From a specification standpoint, the processor's performance can be inferred from its clock speeds and core count. With a base clock of 1580 MHz and a boost clock of 2000 MHz across two cores, the N2806 is positioned for entry-level workloads. The 22 nm Silvermont architecture is an older design (released in 2013), and its performance is expected to be modest by modern standards. The lack of L3 cache and a total L3 of null further suggests a simple memory hierarchy, with 56 KB of L1 and 512 KB of L2 per core. These cache sizes are typical for a low-power part, but they limit the amount of data that can be held close to the cores, potentially increasing memory latency. Without benchmark data, any statement about actual performance is speculative; the specifications alone indicate a processor that can handle basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The N2806 has two cores and two threads, meaning there is no simultaneous multithreading (SMT) support. Each core handles exactly one thread. Consequently, single-threaded and multi-threaded performance are governed by the same clock behavior: both cores can operate at up to 2000 MHz when boosting, and they will idle at 1580 MHz when not under load. For single-threaded workloads, the processor's performance is determined by the per-core clock speed and the efficiency of the Silvermont architecture. The 56 KB L1 cache and 512 KB L2 cache per core provide a modest amount of fast storage for frequently used data, but the absence of an L3 cache means that memory latency may be higher when data is not resident in L2. This can affect single-threaded applications that rely on repeated access to a working set larger than the L2 cache.

For multi-threaded tasks, the processor can utilize both cores, but with only two threads, scaling is limited to a factor of two. Applications that are heavily threaded will not see the benefit of additional cores, and the overall throughput will be capped by the dual-core design. The boost clock of 2000 MHz is shared across both cores, so multi-threaded loads will not reduce the per-core clock, but the total computational capacity remains low. In practice, the N2806 is best suited for workloads that are single-threaded or lightly threaded, such as web browsing or document editing, where the modest clock speed is adequate. For multi-threaded tasks like video encoding or scientific computation, the processor will quickly become a bottleneck.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK does not list any nearest rivals for the Intel Celeron N2806. The nearestRivals array is empty, so no direct comparisons with specific competing processors can be made. In the absence of rival data, the N2806 can be evaluated only on its own merits. It is a low-power, dual-core mobile processor from the Bay Trail generation, released in 2013. Its 4W TDP and 22 nm process make it an efficient choice for basic tasks, but its performance is limited by its core count and clock speeds. The 50th percentile ranking, while based on unspecified data, suggests that it is not an outlier in either direction. Without benchmark scores, any comparison to other processors would be speculative.

Given the lack of rival information, the N2806 should be considered a niche product for specific low-power applications, rather than a general-purpose processor. Its active production status indicates that it is still available, but its age (2013) and modest specifications suggest that it is not a mainstream choice. For users who prioritize battery life and silent operation over performance, the N2806 may be a suitable option. However, for any workload that demands more than basic productivity, a processor with more cores, higher clocks, or a newer architecture would be necessary. The absence of nearest rivals in the data set means that no positioning against contemporary parts is possible, leaving the N2806 to be judged solely on its own technical characteristics.