Intel launches 2GHz Atom Z550

[Chevron]

http://www.fudzilla.com/images/stories/Logos/intel_atom_logo.jpg


Atom turns one, blows out the candles



Intel has marked the Atom's first anniversary with the launch of two new parts, the Z550 and Z515.

The Z515 runs at up to 1.2GHz and supports Burst Performance Technology, which allows it to adjust the frequency automatically depending on performance demands. It supports US15W and UL11L chipsets and it will primarily be used in MIDs.

The Z550 runs at 2.0GHz, but still stays withing the 3W power envelope. We are not sure if the Z550 will find its place in new products any time soon. When it comes to Atoms, there is usually a hefty price premium to pay for a slightly higher clock, and for example, a 1.8GHz model costs twice as much as the 1.6GHz we see all over the place.

Both chips have a 2.4W TDP, they idle at 0.22W, have 512KB of L2 cache and run on a 533MHz FSB.

More here (http://www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/releases/20090408corp_a.htm).

http://www.fudzilla.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13060&Itemid=1

[Wesley]

On the subject of higher clocks with an Atom, you can actually overclock it on certain Asus models. Download an updated BIOS set, and the BIOS gives you the option of a 20% overclock (which isn't much really, but it should help). I have no clue of other models support this, still keeping a watch out for one that does. Or one that comes with Ion.

[Garson007]

I'm more interested in a new 300-series model, if one ever gets released.

The idea that you can get performance higher than that of a Pentium III system for under $100 where Motherboard+CPU is considered, is win win for bringing technology into the world where they can't afford either the electricity or the components to give IT to the masses.

[kolle_hond]

The only thing i'm waiting for is for them to lose the horrible gma950 on the atom boards. Give us something like the x4500 plz intel.

[GeometriX]

Well then, the Nvidia Ion platform (http://www.nvidia.com/object/sff_ion.html) is here to answer all your prayers.

[kolle_hond]

Well then, the Nvidia Ion platform (http://www.nvidia.com/object/sff_ion.html) is here to answer all your prayers.

Any idea when we might see this locally and what the expected price is?

[GeometriX]

If everything goes according to plan we'll see Ion-based netbooks around June or July. Pricing is a little funny though. Some claim it shouldn't up the price more than $50, others are saying it'll be more like $150 . I reckon you could expect those netbooks to start around the R6000-R6500 mark.