Two 45nm Phenom X4 and an Ultra-Mobile CPU Slated for Q4

NordicHardware reports that in Q4 2008, Advanced Micro Devices is slating two models of 45nm Phenom X4 quad-core chips along with a cheap ultra-mobile CPU aimed to compete with the Intel Atom and VIA Nano processors for release. The two new Phenom parts would be based on the new Denreb core to be succeeded by Propus based CPU's in Q1 2009.

Apart from retail models, AMD plans to release a CPU targeted for the ultra-mobile consumer electronics market. The CPU would be derived from the tested K8 architecture that is supposed to give it a design advantage over competing products from Intel and VIA. A major design advantage is of the memory controller being integrated on die that effectively eliminates the northbridge, saving on power consumption. The CPU has a rated TDP of 8W.

AMD is possibly developing a low-power processor to compete with Intel's "Atom" in the emerging Mobile Internet Device (MID) market. The new processor to counter the Atom will be a low-power AMD64-based design according to leaked slides obtained by Hexus. The processor will feature an integrated memory controller, 16-lane 800MHz HyperTransport link, 256KB of L2 cache, and a 1GHz core clock. The new rumored processor with its integrated northbridge and memory controller is expected to have a TDP of 8W compared to the 1.6GHz Atom N270's 6.5W TDP (2.5 W for the processor and 4W for the Northbridge).

In addition to Intel's highly anticipated single-core Atom (Diamondville) processors, according to unnamed sources the company is also in the works for a dual-core version of the chips in Q3 2008. The first dual-core Atom processor to see light is believed to be named the Atom N330. It will feature two HT (Hyper-Threading) capable cores, 1.6GHz clock speed, 533MHz FSB, 1MB of L2 cache and a TDP rating of 8W. The chip will be aimed at Netbooks, low-cost laptops and desktops.

Intel has confirmed that it is facing production problems with its still unreleased Intel Atom chips, prompted by demands that exceed initial expectations. "We are working closely with our customers to meet their needs," said Intel spokesman Bill Calder. "We're just seeing better-than-anticipated demand." he added. The 45nm single core Intel Atom processor is based on an entirely new design, built for low power and designed specifically for ultra low-cost portable devices such as laptops. The official launch of the Atom chips is scheduled for release in June 2008. Mini-laptops powered by them will be available shortly after. More than 10 PC makers have already placed orders with Intel for Atom chips. However, initial reports suggest that Intel will be able to meet only 40% of these orders and expect the short supply of Atom chips to continue until the third quarter of 2008. Most affected by the shortage are companies like: Acer, Dell, MSI and GIGABYTE.

In a brief conversation Helen Ling, an ASUS representative from the company's UK office, told TechRadar that Intel Atom based Eee PC systems are also going to debut soon. When asked about the arrival of Intel Atom inside the Eee PC she said that the new machine will arrive by the "end of June in [the] UK, I would have thought." Later in the session Ling also added: "I think it should be after Computex". Atom will debut during the 28th Taipei International Information Technology Show (Computex 2008) which will run from June 3 to June 7, 2008. Current ASUS Eee PC 900 low-cost laptops are still powered by a Celeron M processor.

Just like many other manufacturers, Dell now announced plans to take a piece of the sub-$500 low-cost notebook market, by releasing its first low-cost 8.9-inch mini-laptop made by Compal Electronics. Compal will initially ship 200,000-300,000 notebook computers to Dell each month, a Compal official said, confirming the existense of such a product. Compal Electronics, the world's second-largest contract manufacturer of notebook computers by revenue after Quanta Computer Inc., aims to ship 1 million to 2 million low-cost notebook computers to Dell in 2008, the official added. Specifications of the new Dell mini-laptop are unknown, but first batches are expected to ship in early June, the same time when Intel's new Atom processors are set to become available.

Intel Corporation today introduced five new Intel Atom processors and Intel Centrino Atom processor technology for Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) and embedded computing solutions. The technology package includes the Intel Atom processor (formerly codenamed "Silverthorne") plus a single-chip with integrated graphics called the Intel System Controller Hub that enables PC-like capabilities, an uncompromised Internet experience and long battery life in smaller devices that can fit in your pocket. Manufacturers around the world are planning to ship Intel-based MIDs beginning this summer.

The Intel Atom processor will be the name for a new family of low-power processors designed specifically for mobile Internet devices (MIDs) and a new class of simple and affordable Internet-centric computers arriving later this year. Together, these new market segments represent a significant new opportunity to grow the overall market for Intel silicon, using the Intel Atom processor as the foundation. The company also announced the Intel Centrino Atom processor technology brand for MID platforms, consisting of multiple chips that enable the best Internet experience in a pocketable device.