Next generation Atom platform announced

This, says Intel, enables improved performance and smaller, more efficient designs in netbooks and Atom based entry level desktop pcs. The new platform for netbooks consists of a new Intel Atom processor, the N450 and a new low power Intel NM10 Express chipset. For entry level desktop pcs, it consists of either the Intel Atom processor D410 or the dual core D510, also paired with the Intel NM10 Express chipset. According to Intel, the overall package is smaller due to the increasing integration and 45nm manufacturing, which means more compact system designs and improved performance. By integrating the memory controller and graphics into the cpu, it means there are two chips – cpu and chipset – instead of the previous three – cpu, chipset and I/O controller hub. This integration, says Intel, has decreased the total footprint by almost 70%. The N450 is a single core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a 7W total kit TDP including chipset. The D410 is a single core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a 12W total kit TDP including chipset and the D510 is a dual core Atom processor with 1meg L2 cache and a 15W total kit TDP including chipset. The new chips all run at 1.66GHz. A companion chipset is due within the next few weeks.