Friday, September 5th 2008
Next Gen. Atom in Q3 2009, Incorporates GPU, IMC : Roadmap Slide
A portion of a company slide from Intel shows that in the third quarter of 2009, Intel could release a successor to current Silverthrone Atom chips. The successor to the Silverthrone architecture, code-named "Lincroft", would feature significant architectural enhancements that help Intel in its efforts to propagate x86 to a broader range of consumer electronics products.
To begin with, the core based on Lincroft architecture, code-named "Pineview" comes in single core and dual-core flavours. Both support Intel HyperThreading technology, each core can handle two processing threads simultaneously. As of now it's unclear if the dual-core variant offers a level of integration higher than what Silverthrone dual-core chips offer (2 dies, 1 package). Some of the highlights of Pineview core is that the chip incorporates a integrated graphics controller and an integrated memory controller. These serve the vital purpose of eradicating a northbridge, reducing the board footprint of the platform. Some variants of i945 northbridge received criticism from industry observers owing to its high power draw and thermal output that marred the purpose of a low-power CPU. Therefore the elimination of northbridge would mean only an ICH outside the CPU.
Source:
DailyTech
To begin with, the core based on Lincroft architecture, code-named "Pineview" comes in single core and dual-core flavours. Both support Intel HyperThreading technology, each core can handle two processing threads simultaneously. As of now it's unclear if the dual-core variant offers a level of integration higher than what Silverthrone dual-core chips offer (2 dies, 1 package). Some of the highlights of Pineview core is that the chip incorporates a integrated graphics controller and an integrated memory controller. These serve the vital purpose of eradicating a northbridge, reducing the board footprint of the platform. Some variants of i945 northbridge received criticism from industry observers owing to its high power draw and thermal output that marred the purpose of a low-power CPU. Therefore the elimination of northbridge would mean only an ICH outside the CPU.
5 Comments on Next Gen. Atom in Q3 2009, Incorporates GPU, IMC : Roadmap Slide
I would think it wouldnt add necessarily too much more to heat or power draw. It may simplify it and lessen both.
It should be an interesting design, though.