Intel's Next-generation Atom Processor

Earlier this month, Intel previewed the next-generation Atom processor chips, which will give rise to superior performance and lower power consumption. Code-named “Pine Trail,” these new processors will be a two-chip platform instead of today’s three-chip platform, enabling smaller and thinner designs with a lower overall cost.

Thanks to their reduced size, Intel's new N450 chipsets, will generate less heat than the existing Atom N270 and can therefore operate in laptops without a fan. Experts agree this will allow manufacturers to design even thinner and smaller notebooks. Other changes include support for faster DDR2 memory and integration of the processor, graphics and memory controller onto a single chip.

Below is a comparison of the N270 and N450 processor chips.

Intel Atom N270:

• CPU + Chipset: 3 Chips
• Clock: 1.6GHz
• Memory: DDR2-533
• IPG Clock: 1.33MHz
• Average Power: 4 Watts
• Cooling: Fan

Intel Atom N450:

• CPU + Chipset: 2 Chips
• Clock: 1.66GHz
• Memory: DDR2-667
• IPG Clock: 2.0MHz
• Average Power: 2 Watts
• Cooling: Fanless

With all these changes, the new Atoms will be cheaper for Intel to assemble and more energy-efficient. Intel has also revealed plans to dispense new chipsets that will allow desktop computers to access HD content by the end of the year. The new “Pine Trail” Atom is expected to hit shelves around Christmas time, though a specific date has not yet been determined.