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Intel launches first dual core Atom processor

by Scott Bicheno on 22 September 2008, 09:36

Tags: Intel (NASDAQ:INTC)

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Just for nettops

Intel has launched the Atom 330, the first dual core version of its ultra-small CPU and apparently positioned to offer a bit more to nettop (small desktop) makers.

The 330 is priced at $43 for when bought in quantities of a thousand. It is also the first Atom to have 1MB L2 cache, clocks at 1.60 GHz and has a 533 MHz FSB. It has a TDP of 8W and supports DDR2 667.

There's not too much more detail right now, but Intel has said that the new processor has been validated with the Intel 945GC Express Chipset, which features built-in Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950 and Intel High Definition Audio.

We would like to know what the HEXUS.community thinks of the concept of "nettops" as Intel would have us call them. Is it a valid niche? Would you buy one?

 

HEXUS Forums :: 11 Comments

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Posted by sleepyhead - Mon 22 Sep 2008 09:39
…|snip|…the first Atom to have 1MB L2 cache, clocks at 160 GHz and has a 533 MHz FSB.

Great googly moogly! 160Ghz with only an FSB of 533Mhz, that is SOME CPU. :D

Forget Nehalem/i7, 160Ghz Atom is the way to go…! ;)
Posted by sawyen - Mon 22 Sep 2008 09:51
yep.. spotted the 160 Ghz..

typo there.. or is Intel doing something super with the Atom to scale up to 160Ghz..
Posted by Scott B - Mon 22 Sep 2008 09:54
Thanks, forgot the decimal point. :)
Posted by MSIC - Mon 22 Sep 2008 12:34
We would like to know what the HEXUS.community thinks of the concept of “nettops” as Intel would have us call them. Is it a valid niche?
Absolutely i think it is.
For far too long we have been sold that more (faster Mhz, cores etc) is better but honestly for the likes of my parents who type emails and a rate of 2 words a minute and browse ebay (but are too cautious to actually buy anything) something like this is totally appropriate.

I even fancy one myself, since my main rig runs 24 / 7 for downloads, quick connectivity or whatever but in truth i dont need anything like it's potential 95% of the time.

If i had something like that connected to a HDTV, was on probably 24/7 for streaming media / downloading / skype etc, my main machine would be turned off much of the time.

As for dual core being better than the single, yes, maybe dual is necessary to reduce those freeze / lock-up issues when anti-virus runs etc (although in my experience i still get slow-downs with my Athlon X2, which appears mostly to be hard drive / data transfer related issues than CPU use).
Posted by NightshadowUK - Mon 22 Sep 2008 12:55
Well I'm sure glad I didn't buy a netbook this weekend now. I knew a dual-core Atom would be on the way but I had no idea just how soon.

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