Intel Atom Processors

[AkumaX]

So everyone loves the o-so-poplar N270 (1.6ghz, 2.5w, 45nm, $44) in virtually every major and 3rd party netbook manufacturer

Recently at CES, I noticed a new SKU pop up in a lot of the new models of 2009, and they're using the Z530. This got me excited, as I finally thought we were getting mobile dual core Atom's in our netbooks!

However, to my dismay, the only difference that I can find is that -
between an N270 and Z530:
N270 Z530
2.5w 2w
noVT VT
$44 $70 <--WTF

edit: I realized why now...

N270 size = 22mm x 22mm
Z530 size = 13mm x 14mm

Well, I'd better see Atoms in my cell phone now...

 

[nismotigerwvu]

A dual core atom with anything remotely similar to a useful chipset would make an incredible small pc.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: AkumaX
So everyone loves the o-so-poplar N270 (1.6ghz, 2.5w, 45nm, $44) in virtually every major and 3rd party netbook manufacturer

N270 size = 22mm x 22mm
Z530 size = 13mm x 14mm

Well, I'd better see Atoms in my cell phone now...

That's quite a smaller die, without a feature shrink. It makes you wonder what kind of performance they are able to get out of it, if it contains so many less transistors.

 

[Qbah]

My N270 does ok, I guess. I have XP on this netbook, starts fine, I play some oldschool Steam games fine. Didn't try HD movies yet, standard DivX runs fine, no problems. WMP11 running in background and it doesn't slow down at all in all the things I do. Low res flash is ok-ish (like youtube), the high res ones kill the system though Like the new PoP intro on the official page. Using Chrome btw.

 

[sliderule]

Yep

I've been thinking of picking up a netbook, and I couldn't care less about gaming on one, but I'd like to be able to watch hulu without dropped frames.

Basicly web browsing, email, office (they do this fine already), but with some more multimedia muscle thrown in for good measure. A dual core atom should fill the bill, even with the outdated 945 chipset. I'm interested to see atom with an nvidia chipset, or something from right field from AMD.

 

[pm]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: AkumaX
So everyone loves the o-so-poplar N270 (1.6ghz, 2.5w, 45nm, $44) in virtually every major and 3rd party netbook manufacturer

N270 size = 22mm x 22mm
Z530 size = 13mm x 14mm

Well, I'd better see Atoms in my cell phone now...

That's quite a smaller die, without a feature shrink. It makes you wonder what kind of performance they are able to get out of it, if it contains so many less transistors.

The die size didn't change - it's the size of the package. They are both using a die that is 25mm^2.

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L...l_Atom_microprocessors

 

[IntelUser2000]

However, to my dismay, the only difference that I can find is that - between an N270 and Z530: N270 Z530 2.5w 2w noVT VT $44 $70 <--WTF edit: I realized why now... N270 size = 22mm x 22mm Z530 size = 13mm x 14mm

The Z530 also supports better power management, like supporting C6 states. The companion chipset for Z530 is Poulsbo which is also much lower power than the N270's chipset. Z530 needs a chipset supporting the new low power CMOS bus and only Poulsbo supports that.

 

[ajaidevsingh]

The size difference s not much....

The die size is the same exact its only the Package Size that has gone down with added features. On the upside its exactly what Poulsbo needs and is specifically made for it.

The Package Size reduction is noting new to intel the did the same with Macbook Air's 1st gen CPU but it does save some money.

 

[IntelUser2000]

The size difference s not much.... The die size is the same exact its only the Package Size that has gone down with added features. On the upside its exactly what Poulsbo needs and is specifically made for it. The Package Size reduction is noting new to intel the did the same with Macbook Air's 1st gen CPU but it does save some money

If you want to make it small, the size difference is quite large.

22x22=484mm
13x14=182mm

Of course, Netbooks do not need to be small as UMPCs/MIDs do. And making it small with same features cost more. The SFF Core 2's cost little more than regular Core 2's.

 

[magreen]

So does this mean we'll FINALLY see some Poulsbo chipset netbooks some time in the next ten years?

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: magreen
So does this mean we'll FINALLY see some Poulsbo chipset netbooks some time in the next ten years?

poulsbo is supposed to be on the msi wind u115.

 

[magreen]

AT's Ion update article up today gives the lowdown on the different Atom cpus and which are for netbooks, which for desktop, and which work with Poulsbo and why.