Intel will offer up details on its upcoming dual-core Atom processor today at the IDF conference in San Francisco. You can tune into the event live via a webcast at 11:00am PST. But there’s something to keep in mind: while the dual-core Atom will be a low power CPU that offers higher performance than the existing single-core chip, it will use more energy which could have an impact on battery life,.
As Mobile Computer Magazine points out, Intel leaked a bit of information yesterday in a press release for the D945GCLF2 desktop motherboard. The mainboard supports the dual core Atom N330 CPU, which uses the Intel 945GC chipset and Intel’s Graphics Media Accelerator 950. The chip is larger than the N270 chip used in netbooks, and looks like it’s designed just for desktop systems. That doesn’t mean there won’t be a laptop/netbook version of the dual-core Atom. But it probably won’t be the Atom N330.
I picked up a barebones kit using this processor and chipset on an Intel motherboard, a case, 250 watt power supply and 2gb of RAM. This system is very fast with Ubuntu 9.04 Linux. It runs Windows 7 ok too, but not as fast as Ubuntu. This system is noticebly faster than my Netbook with an Atom N270 processor and 1gb of RAM with Ubuntu 8.04 Linux.
This processor also supports 64-bit operating systems. I also installed Mint 7 Linux, and it runs just fine. Ok, Mint 64 bit was slightly slower than Ubuntu 32 bit, but both were faster than Windows 7 release candidate 32 bit.
My new barebones computer is plenty fast for browsing the web and checking my email. It’s so fast, I think Intel is trying to downplay this processor. Why don’t you see any Netbooks with this processor for example? Intel plans to discontinue this processor soon. I’m glad I picked one up while they are still available.