Atom N280 leaked
INTEL IS PREPPING the next small step in netbook computing, according to a report at Dodgytimes.
The release of a tweaked Atom processor, dubbed the N280, will bring along a small speed upgrade, 1.66GHz, and a higher 667MHz FSB. The processor will remain single core but will gain a companion chipset to replace the rather inadequate 945GSE, the GN40. We'll go out on a limb and say it's a stripped-down G4x class chipset/graphics core capable of some 1080p video decode, because that's what Intel really needs.
Already the netbook makers in Taiwan have been confronted with the BOM for this part reporting the new platform will fetch a 30% price premium over the current generation of Atom processors, says Dodgy. A higher >10W TDP is to be expected, but then there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Launch date is said to be 1H09, which isn't too far away. That's likely to get pulled-in depending on how many design wins AMD and Nvidia score this quarter. Knowing the way Intel specs these things up, a 2GHz part is likely to follow close behind.
Intel looks like it's tackling two challenges at the same time: a slight performance bump to counter AMD's Neo and a semi-decent graphics part with HD decode to counter Nvidia's Ion, somewhat. It's been a one-horse race so far, you see.
Asus, Gigabyte and Acer seem to be the early adopters, although Gigabyte has been relatively netbook-shy until now. µ
L'Inq
Digitimes
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From 1.6 to 1.66 - they could have saved that effort. In my eee there is a button to speed the budy up to 1.8 or 1.9 (don't remember).
Anyway. No way that will compete with a dual Core Atom for the Ion plattform.
And the TDP from 4watt to 10 because of that doesn't make any sense. I doubt the front side bus increase makes the TDP go up like either. I would be surprised if the TDP is higher than 5W.
M.
N280 (CPU) + GN40 (chipset) = 10W is only one chip.
very much doubt it. that would mean Intel actually made an effort in packaging it that way, and that would imply a reduction in TDP, not a doubling of TDP...
Lots of sites are saying single chip, but I don't believe 'em.
all hail the inq.
That increase in speed is probably related to the change in FSB. since it is is 667, the processor speed can only be in the multiples of 667/4, or 166.6. so it's 166*10 MHz now, and it was probably 133*12 MHz before.
As an N270 owner, I'd agree that the GPU is the weak link. However, I think it may be drivers (Linux), which are currently being worked upon.
Since Asus is coming out with an EEE PC using the ATI 3500 chipset why bother? I rather buy that... throw some money to AMD at the same time devalue Intel's C2D mobile line...
I got a dual atom running winodws home server(built on Windows 2003 server code) and it works great. Slow at multitask but doable. I love the builtin gigabit. The gpu is the only sluggish part and probably could use PCIE x16 for a future discrete GPU upgrade.
The highly anticipated ion is a dual atom with a nvidia gpu and gigabit.
Waiting for an ion with wirelessN builtin. Would love to see it in a netbook or a car PC or a PC running XBMC.