By now you may have heard about a new processor from Intel that is going to be used in all sorts of new notebook PCs. The processor, which was announced on March 2nd, is currently available in five different versions that cater to different specific purposes. Built on Intel’s existing 45nm process, Atom processors have a TDP of just 0.6 to 2.5Watts (current mobile Intel processors carry TDP’s in the 35-watt range).

Obviously these are prime parts for ultra-mobile PCs. The Atom die is just 25mm², making it the smallest processor Intel has ever created. The processors each have 47 million transistors and operate at frequencies from 800MHz to 1.86GHz.

Since Atom processors share the same instruction set as Intel’s enormously successful Core 2 Duo series, compatibility with popular applications remains very good. Performance of Atom processors is not exactly breathtaking, but for a chip that uses such little power it represents a very good performance-per-watt value. Intel sees Atom becoming the basis for all sorts of mobile, internet-centric computing devices, dubbed “netbooks”. Intel also believes there is a market for small, basic computing desktops, or “nettops”, and is targeting that audience with their higher-performance Atom models. Intel will get a glimpse into this emerging market with the launch of ASUS’ E-DT.

But by far the most significant feature of the Atom processor line is its price. Two of the officially-announced Atom SKU’s will cost just $45; which will enable all sorts of low-cost computing solutions to be developed around the processor. The size and simplicity of the processor allows Intel to produce them inexpensively in very large quantities. While dual-core variants of Atom have not been released yet, their existence has been proven through leaked roadmaps. Thanks to Atom’s HyperThreading functionality, dual-core Atom processors will be able to execute four threads simultaneously. Such a processor would be ideal for internet-centric devices for users with heavy demands including multitasking. Low power usage will also prove advantageous for mobile devices thanks to increased battery life.

Atom processors will find there way into ASUS Eee PCs and the ECS G10IL in the coming months.

Source: Intel

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