Intel Atom Based Computers

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piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
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Anybody ever build a computer with the Atom Based processors from Intel. I was at a site the other day and I saw an awful lot of variations of this. Are they worth using for a low end computer?
 
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Marty502

Senior member
Aug 25, 2007
497
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The dual core Atom (N330 is the model I think) is a decent performer. The original N270 is pointless now.

If you want a low end computer with as much performance as possible, as a budget gaming PC let's say, they're not worth it.

If you want a low end computer which you want to be as silent/low power as possible for discrete tasks like web surfing, music playback and office tasks, or even a file server, then they're it.
 
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dguy6789

Diamond Member
Dec 9, 2002
8,558
3
76
Originally posted by: Marty502
The dual core Atom (N330 is the model I think) is a decent performer. The original N270 is pointless now.

If you want a low end computer with as much performance as possible, as a budget gaming PC let's say, they're not worth it.

If you want a low end computer which you want to be as silent/low power as possible for discrete tasks like web surfing, music playback and office tasks, or even a file server, then they're it.
Click to expand...

Agreed 100% The cheapest modern AMD chip or non Atom Intel chip you can buy for a desktop board would be faster than an Atom and cheap enough to do a very nice budget build. Use an Atom in a desktop only if you're trying something radical like making a computer without fans.
 
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pukemon

Senior member
Jun 16, 2000
850
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76
Originally posted by: Marty502
The dual core Atom (N330 is the model I think) is a decent performer. The original N270 is pointless now.

If you want a low end computer with as much performance as possible, as a budget gaming PC let's say, they're not worth it.

If you want a low end computer which you want to be as silent/low power as possible for discrete tasks like web surfing, music playback and office tasks, or even a file server, then they're it.
Click to expand...

The Atom 330 essentially replaced the 230 (No "N" in the model number). The N270 is still used in many/most netbooks these days, so I wouldn't call it useless quite yet - the N280 replaced it.

The most practical use for a system with an Atom 230/330 would be as a low-powered server that's intended to be always on - file server/NAS, or Windows Home Server is a good idea.

The Intel 945GC/GSE uses more power than the Atom chip itself, if you don't absolutely need to worry about power savings, building a system around a 35W Celeron 440 (2.0GHz) will be considerably more powerful and use not that much more energy.
 
brblx

brblx

Diamond Member
Mar 23, 2009
5,499
2
0
as someone who owns an n270 netbook and has no complaints, i would still say the atom is useless for desktops. there's just no point in quibbling over a few watts of power given the drastic performance decrease.
 
GaryJohnson

GaryJohnson

Senior member
Jun 2, 2006
940
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No "regular" desktop CPUs can touch the Atom's price point. If you want a really cheap system, use an Atom. You can put an Atom 330 box together (CPU/MB+PSU/CASE+2GB RAM+HDD+CD/DVD) for around $180 from newegg. It's perfecly adequate for websurfing/email or light office work.
 
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Blain

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
23,643
3
81
I'd love to build an Atom 330 based rig, but I need more expansion slots than current MBs offer.
 
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Aluvus

Platinum Member
Apr 27, 2006
2,913
1
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If you don't care about power or size, then you could buy something used (even something very long in the tooth) and get better performance. Atom 330 is adequate for things like web browsing, but it's certainly no speed demon.
 
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California Roll

Senior member
Nov 8, 2004
515
0
0
Originally posted by: GaryJohnson
No "regular" desktop CPUs can touch the Atom's price point. If you want a really cheap system, use an Atom. You can put an Atom 330 box together (CPU/MB+PSU/CASE+2GB RAM+HDD+CD/DVD) for around $180 from newegg. It's perfecly adequate for websurfing/email or light office work.
Click to expand...

Considering psu/case/ram/hdd/optical would be the same for both systems, are there really no other cpu/mobo combos cheaper than an atom 330 cpu/mobo?

Or are you referring to an all-in-one type prebuilt system (MSI Wind type)?

I love the idea of Atom based systems, depending on the application. Even for light desktop work tho, you're really limiting yourself with an Atom. It chokes on HD YouTube content!
 
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Marty502

Senior member
Aug 25, 2007
497
0
0
Originally posted by: California Roll:
Even for light desktop work tho, you're really limiting yourself with an Atom. It chokes on HD YouTube content!
Click to expand...

That would be the single core Atom though, no...?

I recall seeing a few tests of the dual core Atom doing BluRay videos with no frames dropped with a Nvidia 9400 IGP, which is awesome.
 
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piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
91
I was thinking it was kind of underpowered and that netbooks were little more than toys. Probably some Cellphones may be more powerful.

I might be better off with a Low end Desktop. My wife started this Stock trading as a way to make money after she got laid off. She is just kind of dabbling with it, but she is constantly using my computer. I am using an integrated Intel motherboard now and I will probably just get another similar system or some kind of laptop.

What I have now:
Intel DG35EC Intel Integrated Motherboard with HD Quality Video and HD Audio.
Intel E7200 CPU.
DVD Dual Layer.

This is not a gaming rig, but it does what I want. I do play some older games on it.
 
rudder

rudder

Lifer
Nov 9, 2000
19,441
86
91
Originally posted by: California Roll
Server: yes. Desktop = hell no.
Click to expand...

depends... for a low powered system for writing papers, surfing the net... the dual core atom will be fine with XP (even vista). Of course you may better be served with a laptop but for getting a cpu and motherboard for $84 it is not bad at all.

My home server is based on the Intel BOXD945GCLF2 ( with the Atom 330). I run server 2008 and its a great little cpu.
 
C

California Roll

Senior member
Nov 8, 2004
515
0
0
Originally posted by: Marty502
Originally posted by: California Roll:
Even for light desktop work tho, you're really limiting yourself with an Atom. It chokes on HD YouTube content!
Click to expand...

That would be the single core Atom though, no...?

I recall seeing a few tests of the dual core Atom doing BluRay videos with no frames dropped with a Nvidia 9400 IGP, which is awesome.
Click to expand...

I was very eagerly looking forward to the Atom/ION to use as a low cost/quiet/power saving HTPC solution. It seems to play HD video/BluRay great which is what I was expecting. I wasn't expecting it to have problems on HD YouTube.

FLV (Flash) videos are apparently CPU dependent. Even in AT's review here of the Zotac ION they bring up FLV performance issues. Text

If you plan on using an Atom based system for general desktop usage keep this in mind. I was planning on building a cheap box for my grandparents. They don't game at all or even use Office apps. All they do is web browsing, email, view pictures, etc. They do go to YouTube a lot tho (to see videos of their awesome grandkids) which is what made me go with another option.
 
yh125d

yh125d

Diamond Member
Dec 23, 2006
6,886
0
76
Originally posted by: dguy6789
Originally posted by: Marty502
The dual core Atom (N330 is the model I think) is a decent performer. The original N270 is pointless now.

If you want a low end computer with as much performance as possible, as a budget gaming PC let's say, they're not worth it.

If you want a low end computer which you want to be as silent/low power as possible for discrete tasks like web surfing, music playback and office tasks, or even a file server, then they're it.
Click to expand...

Agreed 100% The cheapest modern AMD chip or non Atom Intel chip you can buy for a desktop board would be faster than an Atom and cheap enough to do a very nice budget build. Use an Atom in a desktop only if you're trying something radical like making a computer without fans.
Click to expand...

I made a fanless computer with an overclocked e7200 and a 9800gt :

Except PSU fan though
 
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