The Intel Atom Thread

[Exist50]

And the last one seems to be a Dual Core... but it makes no sense since the uArch states that the bare minimun is being a Quad Core.

According to what? It would be quite silly if they can't disable cores within a cluster.

 

[LightningZ71]

I wonder if the higher wattage part has a larger iGPU maybe?

 

[Shivansps]

Dual cores would be silly due to performance, 2C/2T is a huge NO today.

 

[jpiniero]

Dual cores would be silly due to performance, 2C/2T is a huge NO today.

OEMs don't seem to be discouraged at all from using the Celeron Atoms.

 

[IntelUser2000]

Mmm... and there are 4 of them.

Maybe the 1st one is the Octa Core going up to 3.5 Ghz single core and 3.2 Ghz all of them? because having 35W boost is higher than expecting. Is the Pentium Silver this time.

The mobile oriented Pentium Silver N6000 using Tremont has a PL2 of 20W. The laptops reviewed never reach that, so it might as well be a placeholder.

The 10W N6005 system out there is also configured to have PL2 of 10W.

I think the PL1 figure is more important. Since it has max config of 15W for the first part, it's plausible it's a full fledged two cluster, 8 core part. But it might also be a desktop chip.

Dual cores would be silly due to performance, 2C/2T is a huge NO today.

Depends on what you do. I don't have more than 5 tabs open. I honestly think a modern single core not being able to handle more than few browser tabs ridiculous as it shows how inefficient modern software has become. That's virtually zero progression since 20 years ago.

 

[Shivansps]

OEMs don't seem to be discouraged at all from using the Celeron Atoms.

There are quad Atoms too.

 

[Shivansps]

Depends on what you do. I don't have more than 5 tabs open. I honestly think a modern single core not being able to handle more than few browser tabs ridiculous as it shows how inefficient modern software has become. That's virtually zero progression since 20 years ago.

A lot of things changed. There is a lot of added overhead due to security stuff. The os also have lots of extra overhead. For example you can use a hdd in win7 it's usable at least. Good luck with that on 10/11.

And websites can also be cpu heavy due to js. Etc etc etc.

 

[jpiniero]

There are quad Atoms too.

The full die is quad core yes. But surely Intel charges less for the Celeron.

 

[dark zero]

The mobile oriented Pentium Silver N6000 using Tremont has a PL2 of 20W. The laptops reviewed never reach that, so it might as well be a placeholder.

The 10W N6005 system out there is also configured to have PL2 of 10W.

I think the PL1 figure is more important. Since it has max config of 15W for the first part, it's plausible it's a full fledged two cluster, 8 core part. But it might also be a desktop chip.



Depends on what you do. I don't have more than 5 tabs open. I honestly think a modern single core not being able to handle more than few browser tabs ridiculous as it shows how inefficient modern software has become. That's virtually zero progression since 20 years ago.

Mmm... you mentioned the wattage versions, so... it might be possible that... the mobile Pentium Silver might be low clocked octa core (max. 3.0 Ghz single core and 2.5 Ghz multi one) while the desktop one goes full 3.5 Ghz at that PL?

While the Quad Core parts might be clocked higher (ex. 3.2 Ghz all cores) and if there are Dual Core parts it might go the full 3.5 Ghz.

About modern software I have to agree. But not 20 years ago, but just 10. Seems that the developers got more and more lazy with the easyness of the programming. However going Dual Core at this moment is not recommended at all. Not even basic POS deserves that.

 

[IntelUser2000]

Mmm... you mentioned the wattage versions, so... it might be possible that... the mobile Pentium Silver might be low clocked octa core (max. 3.0 Ghz single core and 2.5 Ghz multi one) while the desktop one goes full 3.5 Ghz at that PL?

While the Quad Core parts might be clocked higher (ex. 3.2 Ghz all cores) and if there are Dual Core parts it might go the full 3.5 Ghz.

I think with Gracemont it'll get to Pentium Gold territory. But based on the clocks Tremont is running at, an 8 core won't even reach 2GHz at 6W. Of course single thread they can go over 3GHz whether you are talking 6W or 15W.

About modern software I have to agree. But not 20 years ago, but just 10. Seems that the developers got more and more lazy with the easyness of the programming. However going Dual Core at this moment is not recommended at all. Not even basic POS deserves that.

Might all be managing expectations and the fact that we all got used to the performance. Once you use a faster system for few years, previous ones will feel slow.

By the way my parents use a Core 2 Quad Q9400. Before it was Core 2 Duo E6400. When I upgraded the chip for them, I honestly felt no difference.
The biggest upgrade will be going from HDD to SSD, and then upgrading the RAM.

 

[dark zero]

I think with Gracemont it'll get to Pentium Gold territory. But based on the clocks Tremont is running at, an 8 core won't even reach 2GHz at 6W. Of course single thread they can go over 3GHz whether you are talking 6W or 15W.



Might all be managing expectations and the fact that we all got used to the performance. Once you use a faster system for few years, previous ones will feel slow.

By the way my parents use a Core 2 Quad Q9400. Before it was Core 2 Duo E6400. When I upgraded the chip for them, I honestly felt no difference.
The biggest upgrade will be going from HDD to SSD, and then upgrading the RAM.

Actually is impossible to see an octa core at 6 Watts. I was meaning to 15 Watts. It can reach that speed.

Meanwhile having more room for improvements are always good. The SSD upgrade is great, but the processor one leaves more room for future developments.

 

[IntelUser2000]

Actually is impossible to see an octa core at 6 Watts. I was meaning to 15 Watts. It can reach that speed.

Meanwhile having more room for improvements are always good. The SSD upgrade is great, but the processor one leaves more room for future developments.

I don't know if they can reach 3GHz with 8 cores even at 15W PL1. Tremont 10W is at 3GHz under multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench but that's with 4 cores. Gracemont is 30% faster per clock plus they'll have to double cores.

 

[jpiniero]

I don't know if they can reach 3GHz with 8 cores even at 15W PL1. Tremont 10W is at 3GHz under multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench but that's with 4 cores. Gracemont is 30% faster per clock plus they'll have to double cores.

Base for this 8 core is probably 900 Mhz.

 

[dark zero]

I don't know if they can reach 3GHz with 8 cores even at 15W PL1. Tremont 10W is at 3GHz under multi-threaded workloads like Cinebench but that's with 4 cores. Gracemont is 30% faster per clock plus they'll have to double cores.

Actually I was meaning:
- 1 core at 3 Ghz
- 8 cores at 2.5 Ghz or even 2.4.

But considering the improvements, even by 2.4 Ghz at 15 W it can be interesting to see it at least.

 

[IntelUser2000]

By the awesome FanlessTech:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1592466828357701634

Exclusive: Alder Lake-N TDP
Intel Processor N100 4/4 6W
Intel Processor N200 4/4 6W
Intel Core i3 N300 8/8 7W
Intel Core i3 N305 8/8 15W

Finally we'll see truly efficient Gracemont setups without being hobbled by the interface and the I/O requirements. And I am not surprised to see it encroach the Core i3 line.

 

[Kaido]

By the awesome FanlessTech:

Finally we'll see truly efficient Gracemont setups without being hobbled by the interface and the I/O requirements. And I am not surprised to see it encroach the Core i3 line.

Man. 4 cores at 6 watts. What a time to be alive!

I actually still use the older Atom chips quite a bit in my work, especially as thin clients for stuff like VPN WFH machines & for digital signage with cheap 4K televisions. I use these little fanless dudes rocking the Z8350 chip from 2016 for $89: (I've had better luck with them than the stick PC's)

https://www.amazon.com/Fanless-Computer-Windows-Bluetooth-Ethernet/dp/B09KLDPGP9/

They're great for single-monitor setups or for people who just want a little box to plug into their TV to VPN into work with a wireless keyboard & mouse. The low-end Celeron & Pentiums are still useful as well. I use these dual-HDMI Celeron J4125 units for when I need dual screens:

https://www.amazon.com/MeLE-Quieter2D-J4125-Computer-Ethernet/dp/B09V2GMFGS

Then these triple-display Intel Pentium Silver J5005 units for when I need triple screens:

https://www.amazon.com/MINIX-J50C-8SE-Pentium-Dual-Band-Ethernet/dp/B09B266PFW/

I've also been buying a lot of Gateway laptops from Walmart lately. The prices are bonkers. It's like back to Netbook times haha. They have 11.6" Celerons for $89 right now:

Gateway 11.6" Ultra Slim Notebook, HD, Intel® Celeron®, Dual Core, 64GB Storage, 4GB RAM, Mini HDMI, 1.0MP Webcam, Windows 10 S, Microsoft 365 Personal 1-Year Included, Charcoal - Walmart.com

Buy Gateway 11.6" Ultra Slim Notebook, HD, Intel® Celeron®, Dual Core, 64GB Storage, 4GB RAM, Mini HDMI, 1.0MP Webcam, Windows 10 S, Microsoft 365 Personal 1-Year Included, Charcoal at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

The 14" Pentium Silver laptops are $139:

Gateway 15.6" Ultra Slim Notebook, FHD, Intel® Pentium® Silver, Quad Core, 128GB Storage, 4GB Memory, Tuned by THX™ Audio, 1.0MP Webcam, HDMI, Windows 10 S, Microsoft 365 Personal 1-Year Included - Walmart.com

Arrives by Mon, Jan 30 Buy Gateway 15.6" Ultra Slim Notebook, FHD, Intel® Pentium® Silver, Quad Core, 128GB Storage, 4GB Memory, Tuned by THX™ Audio, 1.0MP Webcam, HDMI, Windows 10 S, Microsoft 365 Personal 1-Year Included at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

Which is funny given the law of supply & demand, because the Raspberry Pi 4 is going for $175:

https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Model-2019-Quad-Bluetooth/dp/B07TC2BK1X/

And yet you can get an i5 renewed ultra-micro desktop for $120:

https://www.amazon.com/EliteDesk-800-Mini-Professional-Bit-Multi-Language-English/dp/B07J2TFW5T/

And yet the Atom marches on! lol

 

[you2]

It isn't the number of cores but the quality of the core; having said that i have no clue if this processor is any good. Hopefully it is faster than my phone cause the older processors kind of sucked.

 

[Henry swagger]

By the awesome FanlessTech:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1592466828357701634

Finally we'll see truly efficient Gracemont setups without being hobbled by the interface and the I/O requirements. And I am not surprised to see it encroach the Core i3 line.

Crestmont should be even better 👍

 

[dark zero]

With this news...
- Dual Cores are officially dead. The Big Celerons are the last Dual cores it seems.
- Quad at 6 watts will be a new standard... considering that the Orange Pi wich is an Octa (Ok, a Big Quad, Small Quad) are around 75 dollars for 8 GB RAM (and I am tempted), this is interesting to watch
- Meanwhile the performance has been leaked and despite ST wise is not that great, MT wise is interesting.

Makes me wonder how will fare with a dGPU. And also what if we will see a 16 small core design.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I've also been buying a lot of Gateway laptops from Walmart lately. The prices are bonkers. It's like back to Netbook times haha. They have 11.6" Celerons for $89 right now:

Unfortunately, all of their Celeron and Pentium (Silver) are all Atom-lineage CPUs, and they still have a bit of an IPC deficit. They just don't handle Windows Update very well, even with an SSD, in my experience (although, better an SSD than a HDD).

That said, I've purchased like 4 Gateway laptops within a span of as many weeks, all of them a relative bargain (if you can live with the fact that they are more or less "disposable" (non-upgradable, except for possibly the storage).

 

[Exist50]

Unfortunately, all of their Celeron and Pentium (Silver) are all Atom-lineage CPUs, and they still have a bit of an IPC deficit. They just don't handle Windows Update very well, even with an SSD, in my experience (although, better an SSD than a HDD).

That said, I've purchased like 4 Gateway laptops within a span of as many weeks, all of them a relative bargain (if you can live with the fact that they are more or less "disposable" (non-upgradable, except for possibly the storage).

Gracemont/ADL-N should be a very large upgrade over any N-series currently in the market. Looks like those Gateway laptops are running 2c Gemini Lake, so that would be a massive improvement.

 

[Kaido]

Unfortunately, all of their Celeron and Pentium (Silver) are all Atom-lineage CPUs, and they still have a bit of an IPC deficit. They just don't handle Windows Update very well, even with an SSD, in my experience (although, better an SSD than a HDD).

That said, I've purchased like 4 Gateway laptops within a span of as many weeks, all of them a relative bargain (if you can live with the fact that they are more or less "disposable" (non-upgradable, except for possibly the storage).

Yeah, and even Youtube is generally pretty crappy on them lol. But great for things like RDP & Powerpoint kiosks, haha!

I'm surprised at the quality of the Gateway laptops, like...they're not bad! I have a handful of them setup primarily as cheapo VPN laptops for WFH users. I really hate dedicated thin client equipment & would take a crappy Windows computer over one of those dedicated nonsense computers any day!

 

[NostaSeronx]

Has anyone found out if that rumor or patch was accurate that Alder Lake-N has the integrated Thunderbolt hub(2xThunderbolt 4) from Alder Lake-M?
"Default board ADL-P has 4 typec ports, while ADL-M/N has only 2 typec ports."

Hopefully, if so Intel makes some cheap eGPU/eGFX pucks. (ADL-N + 1x16 GB DDR5-5600(also rumored?) + 2 TB NVMe + eGFX[eGPU] => NS's ideal new rig)

 

[Roland00Address]

I've also been buying a lot of Gateway laptops from Walmart lately. The prices are bonkers. It's like back to Netbook times haha. They have 11.6" Celerons for $89 right now:

Gateway 11.6" Ultra Slim Notebook, HD, Intel® Celeron®, Dual Core, 64GB Storage, 4GB RAM, Mini HDMI, 1.0MP Webcam, Windows 10 S, Microsoft 365 Personal 1-Year Included, Charcoal - Walmart.com

Buy Gateway 11.6" Ultra Slim Notebook, HD, Intel® Celeron®, Dual Core, 64GB Storage, 4GB RAM, Mini HDMI, 1.0MP Webcam, Windows 10 S, Microsoft 365 Personal 1-Year Included, Charcoal at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

The 14" Pentium Silver laptops are $139:

Gateway 15.6" Ultra Slim Notebook, FHD, Intel® Pentium® Silver, Quad Core, 128GB Storage, 4GB Memory, Tuned by THX™ Audio, 1.0MP Webcam, HDMI, Windows 10 S, Microsoft 365 Personal 1-Year Included - Walmart.com

Arrives by Mon, Jan 30 Buy Gateway 15.6" Ultra Slim Notebook, FHD, Intel® Pentium® Silver, Quad Core, 128GB Storage, 4GB Memory, Tuned by THX™ Audio, 1.0MP Webcam, HDMI, Windows 10 S, Microsoft 365 Personal 1-Year Included at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

I was looking at those earlier today, also noticed they have Qualcomm Windows on Arm Laptops for $129. I wonder how bad those devices are for that price.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Man. 4 cores at 6 watts. What a time to be alive!

Or 8 cores @ 7W. Compare this product to anything released to date by VIA/Zhaoxin. Ouch.