Intel launches two new Atom processors

Intel recently launched a new series of Atom processors, codename “Cedar Trail”. The latest Atom series brings in a few changes making them an ideal platform for embedded systems. First is the reduction in die size. The new Cedar Trail processors have been reduced from 45nm down to 32nm. This reduction brings a few advantages including lower power consumption, which in turn produces less heat, and the potential for a wider clock frequency range.

The new series also includes an updated graphics processors integrated directly into the CPU. The D2500 features the GMA-3600 clocked at 400MHz and the D2700 includes the higher rated GMA-3650 clocked at an impressive 640MHz. Both graphics processors support DirectX 10.1 and OpenGL 3.0 and also feature a new video decoding engine which is capable of high definition video playback supporting formats such as MPEG4 Part2, VC-1, WMV9 and H.264. Furthermore, they now support both DisplayPort 1.1 and HDMI 1.3a.

The integrated 64-bit single-channel DDR3-800/1066MHz memory controller supports up to two SODIMM memory modules with a maximum capacity of 4GB. The processors themselves both support 64-bit architecture and SSE2, SSE3 and SSSE3 instruction set extensions. The D2500 offers a clock speed of 1.86GHz with two cores and two threads. It has 1MB of L2 cache (512KB per core) and a TDP of 10W. The D2700 has a clock speed of 2.13GHz with two cores and four threads. It also has 1MB of L2 cache and is the only one to feature Intel Hyper-Threading Technology.

The new processors utilise the same NM10 Express chipset found with previous generation Atoms. The NM10 Express chipset includes a range of features ideal embedded applications including support for up to 8 high-speed USB2.0 ports (up to 480Mb/s per port), up to 4 PCI-Express x 1 ports (500Mb/s per channel) and up to two SATA II ports (3Gb/s per channel).

Here is a chart comparing previous generation Atoms to the new Cedar Trail range.
 

The D series was recently launched in Q4 2011 with the N series due to appear in early 2012. The N series will follow the same suit as the D series in terms of features but will have lower clock speeds and a reduction in overall TDP.