• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

New Intel Atom Processor Platform Significantly Lowers Power for Tablet and Handheld

btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
47,235 (7.55/day)
Location
Hyderabad, India
System Name RBMK-1000
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard ASUS ROG Strix B450-E Gaming
Cooling DeepCool Gammax L240 V2
Memory 2x 8GB G.Skill Sniper X
Video Card(s) Palit GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GameRock
Storage Western Digital Black NVMe 512GB
Display(s) BenQ 1440p 60 Hz 27-inch
Case Corsair Carbide 100R
Audio Device(s) ASUS SupremeFX S1220A
Power Supply Cooler Master MWE Gold 650W
Mouse ASUS ROG Strix Impact
Keyboard Gamdias Hermes E2
Software Windows 11 Pro
Benefitting from the company's power-saving architecture, transistor and circuit design expertise, plus unique manufacturing process techniques, Intel Corporation today unveiled its newest Intel Atom processor-based platform (formerly "Moorestown").

The technology package provides significantly lower power consumption and prepares the company to target a range of computing devices, including high-end smartphones, tablets and other mobile handheld products. The chips bring Intel's classic product strengths - outstanding performance to run a comprehensive and growing number of rich media and Internet applications, a choice of software, and the ability to easily multitask - across a number of applications, including HD video and multi-point videoconferencing.



"Intel has delivered its first product that is opening the door for Intel Architecture [IA] in the smartphone market segment," said Anand Chandrasekher, Intel senior vice president and general manager of the Ultra Mobility Group. "Through "Moorestown," Intel is scaling the benefits of IA while significantly reducing the power, cost and footprint to better address handheld market segments. As a result of our efforts, the Intel Atom processor is pushing the boundaries of higher performance at significantly lower power to show what's possible as handheld devices become small, powerful mobile computers."

Architected for Low Power and Industry Leading Performance
The platform includes the Intel Atom Processor Z6xx Series Family (formerly "Lincroft" system-on-chip [SoC]), the Intel Platform Controller Hub MP20 (formerly "Langwell") and a dedicated Mixed Signal IC (MSIC), formerly "Briertown."

The platform has been repartitioned to include the Intel Atom Processor Z6xx, which combines the 45nm Intel Atom processor core with 3-D graphics, video encode and decode, as well as memory and display controllers into a single SoC design. It also includes the MP20 Platform Controller Hub which supports a range of system-level functions and I/O blocks. Additionally, a dedicated MSIC integrates power delivery and battery charging, and consolidates a range of analog and digital components.

Collectively these new chips deliver significantly lower power including >50x reduction in idle power, >20x reduction in audio power, and 2-3x reductions across browsing and video scenarios - all at the platform level when compared to Intel's previous-generation product1. These power savings translate into >10 days of standby, up to 2 days of audio playback and 4-5 hours of browsing and video battery life3. When combined with 1.5-3x higher compute performance, 2-4x richer graphics, >4x higher JavaScript performance, and support for full HD 1080p high-profile video decoding and 720p HD video recording, these low-power innovations bring a rich, PC-like visual experience to powerful handheld computers.

Building on the C6 state in the original Intel Atom processor design, the SoC incorporates new ultra-low-power states (S0i1 and S0i3), which take the SoC to 100 micro-watts. At the platform level, Intel implemented a new, fine grain OS power management approach that manages the idle and active power states across all aspects of the system based on usage scenarios. This software-managed technique applies aggressive power and clock gating across the SoC's power islands and system voltage rails. Additionally, Intel used a new high-K 45 nm LP SOI process to support a multiple transistor design with a range of high-voltage I/Os.

These power management capabilities, when combined with Intel Burst Performance Technology for high-performance on demand, and Intel's Bus Turbo Mode for high-bandwidth on demand, help to deliver industry leading performance and power efficiency across a range of handheld devices.

"After we delivered the first-generation Intel Atom processor with 10x thermal power reduction, we challenged ourselves to achieve 50x power reduction at the platform level," said Belli Kuttanna, chief Intel Atom processor architect. "We are delighted to have exceeded this goal while increasing performance and are proud of the architects and designers who consistently reinvent the possibilities of Intel Architecture."

Availability
The Intel Atom Processor Z6xx Series Family, Intel Platform Controller Hub MP20 and the dedicated Mixed Signal IC are available today.

The new platform supports a range of scalable frequencies, up to 1.5 GHz for high-end smartphones and up to 1.9 GHz for tablets and other handheld designs. The chips also bring support for Wi-Fi, 3G/HSPA, and WiMAX, as well as a range of operation systems, including Android, Meego and Moblin. Intel is bringing together a breadth of applications and ecosystem support across these platforms to enable a software- and Internet-compatible user experience for developers and consumers.

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Based on Intel's leading silicon technology and manufacturing capabilities, chips deliver >50x platform idle power reduction while increasing performance and reducing size1.
  • Platform brings unlimited "PC-like" experience with fast Internet, multi-tasking, full 1080p video, 3-D graphics, multi-point videoconferencing and voice in pocketable designs.
  • New Intel Atom Processor Z6xx based on Intel's new 45nm low-power process, packs 140 million transistors into the SoC. The platform also includes a Controller Hub (MP20) and a dedicated Mixed Signal IC.
  • Highly integrated platform capable of scaling a range of operating systems and market segments including high-end smartphones, tablets and handheld devices.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site
 
Joined
May 21, 2009
Messages
4,966 (0.88/day)
System Name i7-PC / HTPC / iMac
Processor i7 3820 / Phenom II 940
Motherboard GIGABYTE G1.ASSASSIN2 / M3A79-T Deluxe
Cooling Corsair Hydro H100i / Scythe II (HS only)
Memory G.SKILL Trident X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 1600mhz / 4GB DDR2 1066 (@800) Corsair Dominator
Video Card(s) GB Radeon HD 7950s 3GB / GB Radeon HD 7950s 3GB
Storage 2x 80GB Intel X-25, 2x600gb SATA, 1x1tb 5400RPM storage /1x600GB, 3x500GB,1x160,1x120 SATA
Display(s) 1x 27" Yamakasi / Vizio 42" HDTV
Case Lian Li Lancool PC-K58 / Antec 900
Audio Device(s) HT Omega Striker 7.1 / Onboard and HDMI from ATi Card
Power Supply PC Power & Cooling 750W / 610W
Software Ubuntu / Windows 8.1 Pro / OS X / PHPStorm / Gaming
it's gonna be sci fi before too long :)
 

Fourstaff

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
10,077 (1.84/day)
Location
Home
System Name Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor 3570K // 10400F
Motherboard ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling Stock // Stock
Memory 2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
Can it play Crysis?
 
Joined
Mar 21, 2005
Messages
1,662 (0.23/day)
Location
Maribor, Slovenia, EU
System Name Core i9 rig / Lenovo laptop
Processor Core i9 10900X / Core i5 8350U
Motherboard Asus Prime X299 Edition 30 / Lenovo motherboard
Cooling Corsair H115i PRO RGB / stock cooler
Memory Gskill 4x8GB 3600mhz / 16GB 2400mhz
Video Card(s) Asus ROG Strix RTX 2080 Super / UHD 620
Storage Samsung SSD 970 PRO 1TB / Samsung OEM 256GB NVMe
Display(s) Dell UltraSharp UP3017 / Full HD IPS touch
Case Coolermaster mastercase H500M
Audio Device(s) Onboard sound
Power Supply Enermax Platimax 1700 watt / Lenovo 65watt power adapter
Mouse Logitech M500s
Keyboard Cherry
Software Windows 11 Pro / Windows 11 Pro
Joined
Mar 28, 2007
Messages
2,490 (0.39/day)
Location
Your house.
System Name Jupiter-2
Processor Intel i3-6100
Motherboard H170I-PLUS D3
Cooling Stock
Memory 8GB Mushkin DDR3L-1600
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 1050ti
Storage 512GB Corsair SSD
Display(s) BENQ 24in
Case Lian Li PC-Q01B Mini ITX
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply Corsair 450W
Mouse Logitech Trackball
Keyboard Custom bamboo job
Software Win 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores Finished Super PI on legendary mode in only 13 hours.
Keep your x86 out of our smartphone market, Intel. It's not wanted. :p
 
Joined
Feb 19, 2009
Messages
1,162 (0.20/day)
Location
I live in Norway
Processor R9 5800x3d | R7 3900X | 4800H | 2x Xeon gold 6142
Motherboard Asrock X570M | AB350M Pro 4 | Asus Tuf A15
Cooling Air | Air | duh laptop
Memory 64gb G.skill SniperX @3600 CL16 | 128gb | 32GB | 192gb
Video Card(s) RTX 4080 |Quadro P5000 | RTX2060M
Storage Many drives
Display(s) AW3423dwf.
Case Jonsbo D41
Power Supply Corsair RM850x
Mouse g502 Lightspeed
Keyboard G913 tkl
Software win11, proxmox
I'm going to have to get a phone with one of these

Let me ask.

Do you want it ?

X86 means supporting dead tech, using transistors on something useless.
Less effecient.

You dont want it!

Intel is threatened by ARM, and loosing licencing money from AMD and VIA and a monopoly!
 

Fourstaff

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
10,077 (1.84/day)
Location
Home
System Name Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor 3570K // 10400F
Motherboard ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling Stock // Stock
Memory 2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
Let me ask.

Do you want it ?

X86 means supporting dead tech, using transistors on something useless.
Less effecient.

You dont want it!

Intel is threatened by ARM, and loosing licencing money from AMD and VIA and a monopoly!

x86 refers to the instruction set, not dead tech. Foe example all processors (Intel, AMD, VIA etc) found in computers have the x86 instructions. ARM is another set of instruction, so they should be threatened by Intel rather than the other way around, because by releasing this chip, Intel is threatening the ARM's traditional market.
 
Last edited:
Joined
Mar 28, 2007
Messages
2,490 (0.39/day)
Location
Your house.
System Name Jupiter-2
Processor Intel i3-6100
Motherboard H170I-PLUS D3
Cooling Stock
Memory 8GB Mushkin DDR3L-1600
Video Card(s) EVGA GTX 1050ti
Storage 512GB Corsair SSD
Display(s) BENQ 24in
Case Lian Li PC-Q01B Mini ITX
Audio Device(s) Onboard
Power Supply Corsair 450W
Mouse Logitech Trackball
Keyboard Custom bamboo job
Software Win 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores Finished Super PI on legendary mode in only 13 hours.
x86 refers to the instruction set, not dead tech. Foe example all processors (Intel, AMD, VIA etc) found in computers have the x86 instructions. ARM is another set of instruction, so they should be threatened by Intel rather than the other way around, because by releasing this chip, Intel is threatening the ARM's traditional market.

I don't think Intel is threatening at all (just desperate). And it's not the instruction set that's bad, it's the licensing that really only allows 3 companies, worldwide, to make them.

How many hundreds of companies are now making ARM chips? ARM is the the practically-open way of the future, and Intel's probably worried. If we're still using x86 in 20 years, I'd be surprised.
 

Fourstaff

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
10,077 (1.84/day)
Location
Home
System Name Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor 3570K // 10400F
Motherboard ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling Stock // Stock
Memory 2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
If we're still using x86 in 20 years, I'd be surprised.

We have been using x86 for the past 30+ years, I believe we will still use them for the next 30+ years at least. Indeed, the x86 instructions is so robust that it relegated the ARM to only "lesser" devices.
 
Joined
Feb 3, 2005
Messages
499 (0.07/day)
The x86 instruction set is archaic and only remains for backwards compatibility. It won't be dissapearing anytime soon because its Intel's most significant asset.

ARM is a totally different architecture which was engineered with a large consideration towards power consumption. Intel now sees ARM as a significant threat and is scrambling to get a foothold in the ultra mobile consumer space.
 

Fourstaff

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
10,077 (1.84/day)
Location
Home
System Name Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor 3570K // 10400F
Motherboard ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling Stock // Stock
Memory 2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
I believe that we are still using the x86 instructions and its extensions (SSE and so on). so its not archaic as you suggested. Also, I think the x86 instruction is "open source" now, so I don't think Intel will profit from people using the x86.
 
Joined
Jun 18, 2008
Messages
356 (0.06/day)
Processor AMD Ryzen 3 1200 @ 3.7 GHz
Motherboard MSI B350M Gaming PRO
Cooling 2x Dynamic X2 GP-12
Memory 2x4GB GeIL EVO POTENZA AMD PC4-17000
Video Card(s) GIGABYTE Radeon RX 560 2GB
Storage Samsung SSD 840 Series (250GB)
Display(s) Asus VP239H-P (23")
Case Fractal Design Define Mini C TG
Audio Device(s) ASUS Xonar U3
Power Supply CORSAIR CX450
Mouse Logitech G500
Keyboard Corsair Vengeance K65
Software Windows 10 Pro (x64)
...packs 140 million transistors into the SoC. The platform also includes a Controller Hub (MP20) and a dedicated Mixed Signal IC.

Pardon my skepticism, but is that technically an SoC then?

I look forward to performance and battery life numbers.
 

R_1

Joined
Dec 1, 2006
Messages
448 (0.07/day)
Well, an average ARM SoC consists of many cores, and most of them are not general purpose ones, but built by ARM licensee like TI, Qualcomm, Imagination Technologies etc. Some are providing 3G radio-modem/WLAN/Bluetooth function, others - GPS functionality. There is a camera DSP, capturing 20MP still images or 1080p video. Even combined DVB S/T tuner can be found inside an ARM SoC. Entire ARM SoC has peak consumption of 2 Watts and power saving mode at around 0.01 Watt. Can this new Intel SoC do that much?
 
Joined
Oct 2, 2005
Messages
631 (0.09/day)
Location
Omaha, NE
System Name Media PC
Processor Intel Core-i5 4460
Motherboard Asus H97i plus
Cooling Noctua LH-9i with upgraded NF-A9, x2 Noctua NF-F12
Memory 8GB x2 Corsair Vengeance 1600mhz kit
Video Card(s) Gigabyte Super clocked GTX970 itx
Storage 1TB western digital black 2.5"
Display(s) Samsung 55" Plasma
Case Fractal Design Node 202
Audio Device(s) Onboard DSP, sound forwarded to Onkyo receiver in 2.1 mode
Power Supply Fractal Design 430w itx PSU
Mouse Logitech Wireless gaming mouse
Keyboard Logitech Wireless, Xbox One S controller
Software Windows 10 pro
It supports Android OS, Android isn't x86 is it?

android can be compiled into what ever instruction you want, it's a linux distro. That said, I think there is an SDK floating around somewhere that is set up for x86
 

R_1

Joined
Dec 1, 2006
Messages
448 (0.07/day)
"The chips also bring support for Wi-Fi, 3G/HSPA, and WiMAX..." What does it means? Is there built in radio part? How is this "full HD 1080p high-profile video decoding and 720p HD video recording" implemented? Can we expect 5-6 hours 720p HD video decoding on a single battery charge as seen in recent ARM smartphones?
 
Joined
Sep 15, 2007
Messages
3,946 (0.63/day)
Location
Police/Nanny State of America
Processor OCed 5800X3D
Motherboard Asucks C6H
Cooling Air
Memory 32GB
Video Card(s) OCed 6800XT
Storage NVMees
Display(s) 32" Dull curved 1440
Case Freebie glass idk
Audio Device(s) Sennheiser
Power Supply Don't even remember
Intel must be paying people to use these things.
 
Joined
Oct 27, 2007
Messages
1,132 (0.18/day)
System Name Grandpa
Processor i5 4690K
Motherboard Gigabyte Z97X-UD5H-BK
Cooling water
Memory 8GB Corsair Vengence 2400MHz
Video Card(s) Gigabyte 5850 x2
Storage Samsung SM951
Display(s) Catleap 27"
Case coolermaster stacker
Power Supply corsair AX860i
Mouse logitech g5 original
Keyboard Ducky
Software Windows 8.1
I recently changed phone from a Nokia to HTC. Wasn't really looking forward to using a different brand of phone but the change was forced on me (its a work phone). OMG, they are really good! Having full featured browser so I can log on to TPU is great.

This new offering from Intel is whats coming. It's a good thing to effectively package a netbook into a phone, and significantly more useful than an iPad.
 

theonedub

habe fidem
Joined
Apr 30, 2009
Messages
8,027 (1.41/day)
Location
Northern CA, USA
System Name Erakith || AsRock NUCS
Processor AMD ThreadRipper 2990WX ES (32c/64t 3.5ghz@1.02v) || Intel i7 1360P Raptor Lake-P
Motherboard MSI X399 MEG Creation || AsRock OE
Cooling EK Supremacy TR4 Full Nickel, D5 w/ EK Top, 2X EK-CoolStream XTX 360 & Photon 270 Res || OE
Memory 32GB (4x8GB) Corsair Vengeance PRO RGB DDR4 3000|| 2x16GB Corsair DDR4
Video Card(s) Vega 64 EK FC|| Intel Iris Xe
Storage 250gb WD Black NVMe & (2) 2TB Intel 660p NVMe || 2TB Corsair MP600 Pro
Display(s) 34" Dell Ultrasharp U3415W
Case CaseLabs Merlin SM8 || Aluminum Unibody
Power Supply Corsair HX1000
Mouse Corsair Harpoon Wireless RGB
Keyboard Corsair Strafe RGB w/ Cherry MX Silent
Software Windows 10 Pro x64 || WIndows 11 Pro x64
Benchmark Scores WCG & F@H Only
Looks like SnapDragon has some competition coming.
 

R_1

Joined
Dec 1, 2006
Messages
448 (0.07/day)
How can I say this more simple : A smartphone SoC is not only a general purpose CPU!!! In fact entire smartphone functionality is packed in a single chip. I am not sure if Intel can build a decent 3G radio-modem and a flock of specialized DSPs.
 

EarlZ

New Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2006
Messages
339 (0.05/day)
Processor Intel Core i7 2600K @ 4.8Ghz
Motherboard Gigabyte P67A-UD4-B3 Rev1.1
Cooling Noctua D14
Memory 4GB G.Skill 9-10-9-27-1T 2133Mhz
Video Card(s) GTX580 1.5Gb
Storage 2x Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Display(s) Samsung T220
Case Lian Li PC-P80
Audio Device(s) X-Fi Extreme Music
Power Supply Silverstone Strider Gold 850
Software Windows 7 Ultimate x64
What smartphones are currently powered by Intel Atom ?
 
Joined
Sep 15, 2007
Messages
3,946 (0.63/day)
Location
Police/Nanny State of America
Processor OCed 5800X3D
Motherboard Asucks C6H
Cooling Air
Memory 32GB
Video Card(s) OCed 6800XT
Storage NVMees
Display(s) 32" Dull curved 1440
Case Freebie glass idk
Audio Device(s) Sennheiser
Power Supply Don't even remember
What smartphones are currently powered by Intel Atom ?

None and they never will if they know what's good for them. The power requirements are too massive. They hype the low power, but that's while idle. Plus, it doesn't include any other chips (unlike the qualcomms that have everything in them and use half a watt).

And we all know how intel rates their power consumption...basically lies.
 
Joined
Aug 22, 2007
Messages
3,548 (0.56/day)
Location
Terra
System Name :)
Processor Intel 13700k
Motherboard Gigabyte z790 UD AC
Cooling Noctua NH-D15
Memory 64GB GSKILL DDR5
Video Card(s) Gigabyte RTX 4090 Gaming OC
Storage 960GB Optane 905P U.2 SSD + 4TB PCIe4 U.2 SSD
Display(s) Alienware AW3423DW 175Hz QD-OLED + Nixeus 27" IPS 1440p 144Hz
Case Fractal Design Torrent
Audio Device(s) MOTU M4 - JBL 305P MKII w/2x JL Audio 10 Sealed --- X-Fi Titanium HD - Presonus Eris E5 - JBL 4412
Power Supply Silverstone 1000W
Mouse Roccat Kain 122 AIMO
Keyboard KBD67 Lite / Mammoth75
VR HMD Reverb G2 V2
Software Win 11 Pro
I welcome Intel into the smartphone world.
One more chip to choose from.
 

btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 9, 2007
Messages
47,235 (7.55/day)
Location
Hyderabad, India
System Name RBMK-1000
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 5700G
Motherboard ASUS ROG Strix B450-E Gaming
Cooling DeepCool Gammax L240 V2
Memory 2x 8GB G.Skill Sniper X
Video Card(s) Palit GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GameRock
Storage Western Digital Black NVMe 512GB
Display(s) BenQ 1440p 60 Hz 27-inch
Case Corsair Carbide 100R
Audio Device(s) ASUS SupremeFX S1220A
Power Supply Cooler Master MWE Gold 650W
Mouse ASUS ROG Strix Impact
Keyboard Gamdias Hermes E2
Software Windows 11 Pro
Let me ask.

Do you want it ?

X86 means supporting dead tech, using transistors on something useless.
Less effecient.

Intel Core i7 980X...is an x86 processor, so is Phenom II X6.

You dont want it!

You would absolutely want it because the same software that runs on the PC will run on your smartphone. This Atom 1.5 GHz will be as fast as a Pentium 4 @ 2 GHz, which is insanely powerful and fast compared to ARM which celebrates being slow. How fast did ARM processors get over the decade, anyway.

Intel is threatened by ARM, and loosing licencing money from AMD and VIA and a monopoly!

Intel never was into embedded processors, so it never was into the market ARM was. In fact it's ARM that needs to be threatened by Intel's entry into the market it caters to.

As for AMD and VIA, Intel holds over 80% of the PC processor market. It's been like this for years. It's not losing any licensing money.
 
Top