More info on "Pineview" Atom chips surfaces
updated 08:05 am EST, Tue January 20, 2009
Pineview Atom Details
Intel's next-generation Atom chip, nicknamed Pineview, will be less expensive than the current generation even as it improves performance, according to new leaks well ahead of the launch. The switch to a smaller 45 nanometer chipmaking process that lets Intel put the graphics core directly in the processor will reportedly cut the amount of necessary mainboard space by 60 percent, shrinking the overall footprint. The platform will also require a less complex circuitboard that can cut down to four layers from six and further drop prices for at least the manufacturers.
Moving to the more efficient process also cuts the power use at thermal peak from 8W to 7W while lowering the common usage to just 2W.
Having a smaller design should nonetheless represent a significant speed upgrade beyond the increased density. While the stock graphics will continue to hinge on the same feature-limited GMA 950 core, the video component's clock rate will jump from 133MHz to 200MHz and improve the baseline performance as a result. Intel is likewise expected to easily surpass the 1.6GHz core speed common to most Atoms and will improve the memory clock from 533MHz to 667MHz.
Pineview is mentioned as arriving in the second half of the year in the latest leak but is elsewhere believed to be launching in the summer.
