Intel Atom Integrates Graphics, Memory Controller for Netbooks

(Business News & Technology News, 23 Dec 2009)

Intel Corp. has announced new Intel Atom processors today that feature integrated graphics built directly into the CPU, enabling improved performance and smaller, more energy-efficient designs in a new generation of netbooks and Atom-based entry level desktop PCs. Major OEMs have committed to having systems on the new Intel Atom processors and a new companion chipset available within the next few weeks.

The newest Intel Atom platform for netbooks consists of a new Intel Atom processor, the N450, and a new low-power Intel NM10 Express Chipset. For entry level desktop PCs, it consists of either the Intel Atom processor D410 or the dual core D510, also paired with the Intel NM10 Express Chipset. The Intel Atom processor was designed from the ground up for small devices and low power, and remains Intel's smallest chip, built on the company's 45nm high-k metal gate manufacturing process. The overall package, including chipset, just got smaller due to the increasing integration and 45nm manufacturing, which means smaller, more compact system designs, lower costs for OEMs and improved performance.

One of the most significant features of the new platform is the integration of memory controller and graphics into the CPU, a first in the industry on x-86 chips. That means two chips (CPU+chipset) instead of the previous three (CPU, chipset, I/O controller hub), a lower TDP, and substantial reductions in cost, overall footprint and power. The netbook platform features a 20 percent improvement in average power and a smaller package size over the previous Atom platform. This translates into smaller and more compact system designs and longer battery life. Because of the integration, the total footprint for the netbook platform has decreased by approximately 60 percent. For entry level desktop PCs, it's a nearly 70 percent reduction in footprint and about 50 percent lower TDP than the previous generation.

The N450 is a single core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a 7W total kit TDP including chipset. The D410 for entry-level desktop PCs is a single-core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a 12W total kit TDP including chipset, and the D510 for entry-level desktop PCs is a dual core Atom processor with 1M L2 cache and a 15W total kit TDP including chipset. The new chips all run at 1.66GHz.

Intel Atom Processor

Intel


RELATED ARTICLES
Intel Scraps Plans to Introduce Larrabee GPU

Intel Labs Demos 48-core Processor

Intel, NEC to Collaborate on Supercomputer Technologies

Intel, NEC to Collaborate on Supercomputer Technologies

BSNL, HCL and Intel Accelerate Broadband Wireless Internet Proliferation in Rural India