CPUs, atom, gadgets, idf, intel, intel atom, intel developer forum, mobile computing...

Intel Reveals All About Atom Processor Range

The detailed specs on Intel's upcoming small'n'cheap Atom processor are now up for grabs. From data released at the Intel Developer Forum in Shanghai, it looks like the first Atom releases will be five different CPUs, destined for a range of portable or "net-top" machines. Each chip has 512kB of on-board L2 caching and supports SSE3 instructions, but will have different processor core speeds and frontside bus speeds. Prices will run from $45 for the cheapest to $160 for the fastest CPU. For the processor fanatics among you, details below.

Z500
800MHz clock, 400 MHz frontside bus. No HyperThreading. TDP of 0.65W

Z510
1.1GHz clock, 400 MHz frontside bus. No HyperThreading. TDP of 2W

Z520
1.33GHz clock, 533MHz frontside bus. Supports HyperThreading. TDP of 2W

Z530
1.6GHz clock, 533MHz frontside bus. Supports HyperThreading. TDP of 2W

Z540
1.86GHz clock, 533MHz frontside bus. Supports HyperThreading. TDP of 2.2W

The Atom processors also are combined with the former "Paulsbo" System Controller Hub chipset and wireless adaptors into the Centrino Atom package. The SCH takes command of north and south bridges, memory control, PCI express, USB and other connectivity and an integrated GPU. This last supports Direct X9, and Intel says the top range version can also cope with HD 1080i output. That's pretty impressive for a chip that may be destined for portable gadgets.

Intel is ready to go with all these chips, and wants them to be on sale within 60 days. [Reg Hardware and Reuters]

7:00 AM on Wed Apr 2 2008
By Kit Eaton
10,944 views
25 comments

Comments

Kamenwati at 08:09 AM on 04/02/08
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this actually fills me with hope
Sheemo44 at 08:10 AM on 04/02/08
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wow this thing is definetly a shot in the arm for the umpc market. most umpc's dont have these kinds of clock speeds anyway
olternaut at 08:19 AM on 04/02/08
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Since Apple is using intel chips now I'm hoping that Apple has products in the pipeline that plan on using the atom chips. Perhaps not in the iphone but hopefully other mobile internet type devices?
P3nnst8r at 09:13 AM on 04/02/08
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Up and at them.
strider_mt2k at 09:13 AM on 04/02/08
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@olternaut:
As power requirements and size drops all kinds of interesting applications are possible!
strider_mt2k at 09:14 AM on 04/02/08
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@P3nnst8r: Thank you.
I try to get them into these posts too. :D
P3nnst8r at 09:19 AM on 04/02/08
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@strider_mt2k: It's just too easy.
zenpoet at 09:32 AM on 04/02/08
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So, will they call the server processor Eve?

That made me feel dirty. Sorry.
firesign at 09:34 AM on 04/02/08
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bring on more small cheap ultraportables like the eee. excellent.
thistle.john at 09:46 AM on 04/02/08
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please put 4 of these in MacBook Air 2.0
rohan1 at 10:25 AM on 04/02/08
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@thistle.john: Would that even be faster than a core 2 duo?
mikecoscia at 10:27 AM on 04/02/08
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Dam these rock what I have in my eee pc (stock speed)
steven522 at 10:29 AM on 04/02/08
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I want someone to put the Z500 in something the size of a DS and give me the functionality of a regular laptop at that size that can run for hours on a "AAA" battery.
SSilver2k2 at 10:53 AM on 04/02/08
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As an embedded developer, all I can say is WOW...I can't wait to get my breakout board. Hopefully these will go on sale within the 60 day time frame.
Veracity_Inexcusable at 11:25 AM on 04/02/08
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That is just plain incredible. I was cleaning out the garage yesterday, and came across an old laptop... You know the knid that is 3 nches thick, came only in white, and had the flip up screen that only took up about half of the area like the EEEEEEEEE PC.

Don't forget this thing had the 40gig HD, and a processor that was the size of a dinner plate that had a hard time running DOS.

This tiny litte processor has as much processor power as many of the gateway and HP machines sold only a year or so ago.

So when is my Ipod gonna get one... HeHe
Stacky Botrus at 12:10 PM on 04/02/08
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@zenpoet:

you sick sonofabitch!

no but really, thats fine.
FinalValgas at 12:36 PM on 04/02/08
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I just hope this means a really nice EEE alternative with a HDD.
oat at 02:29 PM on 04/02/08
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I wonder if they'll ever think about putting one of these in an iPhone
el_gordo at 02:42 PM on 04/02/08
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@Veracity_Inexcusable: You mean 40 meg, right?
Charles at 04:51 PM on 04/02/08
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2.2W? Holy SHIT.
digodemais at 05:24 PM on 04/02/08
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How many times can AMD get kicked in the nuts. I guess we'll find out this year.
-Core- at 07:03 PM on 04/02/08
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Wow! Very interesting news.. I wonder when we will get AI on computers....
xev at 08:06 PM on 04/08/08
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hmm cant wait to see these in the new eee's and as many other alternatives as possible. i need a 1-2 lb note taking device for $400ish. my damn xps1330 is too heavy
SneakerFiend at 12:26 PM on 04/12/08
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This fills me with hope for the windows mobile phone lines.
Imagine a 1.86ghz WM phone with 1080i support.
I'd rather 1080p but 1080i is even better than nvidia's 780p capable processors.
Although your really wont be able to tell the difference on such a small screen.
Hopefully phone manufacturers make smartphones and pocket pc's upgradeable as in hardware wise so i wont have to be stuck with thismb ram and 201mhz processor.
lets go intel make these less demanding of energy so we can see atom processors in mobile phones by the end of this year please!
SneakerFiend at 12:30 PM on 04/12/08
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@SneakerFiend:mb ram correction