Intel Atom processors, just like the latest Intel Core 2 and Intel Xeon chips, are produced using 45nm process technology. At present Intel has two 300mm fabs that produce chips using 45nm process technology – D1D in Hillsboro, Oregon, and Fab 32 in Chandler, Arizona. Given that Intel has a plan to aggressively ramp up production of new desktop processors using the new process technology, a slight mistake in demand prediction automatically means shortages of Intel Atom chips, which hardly received the first priority from Intel. Two additional 45nm, 300mm manufacturing factories are scheduled to open this year in Kiryat Gat, Israel (Fab 28) and Rio Rancho, New Mexico (Fab 11x), which will let Intel to manufacture sufficient amount of Atom, Core 2 and Xeon processors. Approximately 2.5 thousand Atom processors can be made on a single 300mm wafer.

September 9, 2008

>Intel®Core 2Duo

The world’s number one chipmaker yesterday unveiled 10 Intel Core 2 Duo and Intel Core 2 Extreme processors processors for consumer and business desktop and laptop PCs and workstations, reshaping how computers perform, look, consume power, sound and produce heat. Intel Core 2 core 2 Duo processors feature two complete computer engine cores on a single chip. The highly anticipated processor family already has very broad support with more than 550 customer system designs underway -the most in Intel's history. Ultimately, tens of thousands of businesses will sell computers or components based on these processors. And the prognosis is good. "The Core the core 2 Duo processors are simply the best processors in the world," said Paul Otellini, president and CEO of Intel. "Not since Intel introduced the Pentium processor has the industry seen the heart of the computer reinvented like this. The Core 2 Duo desktop processor is an energy-efficient marvel, packing 291 million transistors yet consuming 40 percent lower power, while delivering the performance needed for the applications of today and tomorrow." The Intel Core 2 Duo processors are built in several of the world's most advanced, high-volume output manufacturing facilities using Intel's leading 65-nanometer silicon process technology. The desktop PC desktop pc version of the processors also provide up to a 40 percent increase in performance and are more than 40 percent more energy efficient energy efficient versus Intel's previous best processor. According to multiple independent review organizations, the processors win more than nine out of 10 major server, desktop PC and gaming PC.

The Intel Core 2 Duo processor family consists of five desktop PC processors tailored for business, home, and enthusiast users, such as high-end gamers, and five mobile PC processors designed to fit the needs of a mobile lifestyle. Intel Core 2 Duo processor-based workstations will also deliver industry leading performance for such areas as design, content creation and technical computing. The processor family is based on the revolutionary Intel Core microarchitecture, designed to provide powerful yet energy-efficient performance. With the power of dual cores, or computing engines, the processors can manage numerous tasks faster. They also can operate more smoothly when multiple applications are running, such as writing e-mails while downloading music or videos and conducting a virus scan. These dual-core chips also improve tasks, such as viewing and playing high-definition video, protecting the PC and its assets during e-commerce transactions, and enabling improved battery life for sleeker, lighter notebooks.Consumers and businesses will have the option to purchase Intel Core 2 Duo processors as part of Intel's premier market-focused platforms, which are made up of Intel hardware and software technologies tailored to specific computing needs, including Intel vPro technology for businesses, Intel Centrino Duo mobile technology for laptops, and Intel Viiv technology for the home. Many of the products will also offer a selection of Intel-designed and integrated technologies such as Intel Virtualization Technology and Intel Active Management Technology that make the PC more secure and manageable. Also, support for 64-bit computing now expands to notebook PCs. The new processors can be paired with the Intel 975X, 965, and Mobile Intel 945 Express chipset family. The Intel 965 Express chipset includes the latest integrated graphics and Intel Clear Video Technology. All these chipsets are Microsoft Windows Vista Premium Ready.

> Mobile Internet Devices

Personal computing is increasingly going mobile and that the computer industry is rapidly developing new classes of products to connect the next billion people to the Internet, Intel have announced the Intel Atom processor - a new family of low-power processors designed specifically for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and a new class of simple and affordable Internet-centric computers arriving later this year. The company also announced the Intel Centrino Atom processor technology for MID platforms, consisting of multiple chips that enable the best Internet experience in a pocketable device. The Intel Atom processor is based on an entirely new micro-architecture 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. These new chips, previously codenamed Silverthorne and Diamondville, will be manufactured in Intel’s 45nm process with hi-k metal gate technology. The chips have a thermal design power (TDP) specification in 0.6-2.5 watt range and scale to 1.8GHz speeds depending on customer need. By comparison, today’s mainstream mobile Core 2 Duo processors have a TDP in the 35-watt range. The Intel Centrino Atom processor technology, formerly codenamed “Menlow,” includes the Intel Atom processor, a low-power companion chip with integrated graphics, a wireless radio, and thinner and lighter designs. In addition to the MID opportunity, Intel believes the demand for a new category of low-cost, Internet-centric mobile computing devices dubbed “netbooks” and basic Internet-centric desktop PCs dubbed “nettops,” will grow substantially over the next several years and the Intel Atom processor is designed to meet the needs of these new market segments. Intel said the Intel Atom processor also has potential for future revenue opportunities in consumer electronic devices, embedded applications and thin clients.

>Atom processors

Intel Atom processors, just like the latest Intel Core 2 and Intel Xeon chips, are produced using 45nm process technology. At present Intel has two 300mm fabs that produce chips using 45nm process technology – D1D in Hillsboro, Oregon, and Fab 32 in Chandler, Arizona. Given that Intel has a plan to aggressively ramp up production of new desktop processors using the new process technology, a slight mistake in demand prediction automatically means shortages of Intel Atom chips, which hardly received the first priority from Intel. Two additional 45nm, 300mm manufacturing factories are scheduled to open this year in Kiryat Gat, Israel (Fab 28) and Rio Rancho, New Mexico (Fab 11x), which will let Intel to manufacture sufficient amount of Atom, Core 2 and Xeon processors. Approximately 2.5 thousand Atom processors can be made on a single 300mm wafer. Intel’s first processor for nettops – desktop ULCPCs – is Intel Atom 230, which has one processing core with multi-threading technology, works at 1.60GHz, sports 512KB of L2 cache and uses 533MHz PSB. The chip has 4W TDP and is compatible with Intel 945GC core-logic with built-in DirectX 9-class graphics core. According to Intel, there is significant interest from system vendors in netbooks and nettops and the company expects about 10 designs to be launching from Acer, Asustek computer, Elitegroup Computer Systems, Gigabyte, Malata, Medion, MicroStar Internationa, Quanta, Shuttle and other companies. Besides, they will be available throughout 2008 from Sylvania, Toshiba and others. The category of low-cost desktop or mobile computers is hardly completely new: Via Technologies and Silicon Integrated Systems Corp. have been developing chipset and processor solutions to enable truly affordable personal computers for years. However, the idea of ULCPC was reborn with the emergence of Asus Eee PC, which was initially positioned for education markets in the developing world, but quickly became a mobile companion for a smartphones in well-developed countries. According to some observers, Internet-oriented desktops and notebooks will continue gain popularity across the world thanks to availability of content and services that entertain or allow to perform the number of tasks sufficient for an average user.
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Intel’s first processor for nettops – desktop ULCPCs – is Intel Atom 230, which has one processing core with multi-threading technology, works at 1.60GHz, sports 512KB of L2 cache and uses 533MHz PSB. The chip has 4W TDP and is compatible with Intel 945GC core-logic with built-in DirectX 9-class graphics core.

According to Intel, there is significant interest from system vendors in netbooks and nettops and the company expects about 10 designs to be launching from Acer, Asustek computer, Elitegroup Computer Systems, Gigabyte, Malata, Medion, MicroStar Internationa, Quanta, Shuttle and other companies. Besides, they will be available throughout 2008 from Sylvania, Toshiba and others.

The category of low-cost desktop or mobile computers is hardly completely new: Via Technologies and Silicon Integrated Systems Corp. have been developing chipset and processor solutions to enable truly affordable personal computers for years.

However, the idea of ULCPC was reborn with the emergence of Asus Eee PC, which was initially positioned for education marketsin the developing world, but quickly became a mobile companion for a smartphones in well-developed countries. According to some observers, Internet-oriented desktops and notebooks will continue gain popularity across the world thanks to availability of content and services that entertain or allow to perform the number of tasks sufficient for an average user.