Intel announced yesterday that its upcoming processors codenamed “Silverthorn” and “Diamondville”, designed for use in Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and Ultra-Moble PCs, are officially named the Intel Atom. The corresponding “Menlow” MID/UMPC platform is called the Intel Centrino Atom, the chip maker published.
“The Intel Atom processor is based on an entirely new microarchitecture designed specifically for small devices and low power, while maintaining the Intel Core 2 Duo instruction set compatibility consumers are accustomed to when using a standard PC and the Internet. The design also includes support for multiple threads for better performance and increased system responsiveness. All of this on a chip that measures less than 25 mm², making it Intel’s smallest and lowest power processor yet,” the company’s press release says, adding that the Atom CPUs will be produced using 45-nanometer technology.
These processors have a thermal design power (TDP) specification in 0.6-2.5 watt range and a clock speed of up to 1.8GHz.
Intel Centrino Atom “Menlow” platform includes the Atom processor, a low-power companion chip with integrated graphics, and a wireless chip, accordingly.
Earlier reports say the Atom and Centrino Atom will be released in the first half of 2008.