TechRockstar » Processors

Intel starts shipping Oak Trail Atom chip for tablets

Sean — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 06:30:23 +0000

Intel has started shipping their Oak Trail Atom processor earlier this week, so we should start seeing a number of Intel Inside-branded tablets by May. Like the rest of Intel’s Atom processors usually found on netbooks, the new Atom Z670 chip is designed to consume less power, while also emitting less heat, and take up less space compared to older models. It’s around 60 percent smaller, and shouldn’t need active cooling, for fitting into more compact tablet form factors.

Listed to run tablets based on Windows, Android and MeeGo, the Atom Z670 also features a deeper sleep state, which draws less power when the device is inactive to extend standby times. A new graphics core also adds 1080p HD video decoding and support for an HDMI out port.

The Oak Trail Atom chips are expected to make their first appearance under the hood of Asus’ Eee Slider and Samsung’s Sliding PC 7, due out in May.

Intel outs Atom N570 dual-core chip for netbooks

Sean — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 06:18:27 +0000

Intel has just introduced the new dual-core Atom N570 processor for netbooks at CeBIT. Yeah, we know that, like the small mammals that toppled the dinosaurs before, tablets have been basically pushing out netbooks. But the market’s still there, and in case you ever need to pick up a low-cost, portable PC in the near future, then this is what you’re going to want to ask for. The new processor is rated with a 1.66GHz clock, which makes it faster than the previous dual-core Atom, and is built with a 45nm process and a TDP of 8.5W to keep it cool and energy efficient.

The new processor also supports Intel’s Hyper-Threading tech, with support for four threads DDR3-667 memory, and packs 1MB of L2 cache. Asus, Lenovo and Samsung are expected to be one of the first companies to put out netbooks that rock the new chip (expected later this month), with demo units currently being displayed at CeBIT.

Mainstream chips for enthusiasts: Intel outs unlocked Core i5, i7 K-series processors

Sean — Mon, 31 May 2010 04:02:20 +0000

Intel just released a couple of new processors under the Core i5 and i7 desktop lines that should cater to gamers and enthusiasts looking to get more performance from overclocking. Tagged as the Core i5-655K and Core i7-875K, these two new K-series processors come with mainstream price tags, but offer something that was previously limited to Intel’s high-end Extreme Edition chips: unlocked core multipliers that allow their clock speeds to be easily raised for better performance.

Both processors aren’t necessarily the best or fastest products on Intel’s Core ladder; in fact, they pretty much mirror the specs of the existing Core i7-870 with a 2.93GHz core clock, an 8MB L3 cache, and a 95W TDP and the Core i5-650 that sports a 3.2GHz core, 4MB cache and 73W TDP. The K designation (as well as the +5 on their model numbers) simply means that they’ve got unlocked clocks that are easier to tweak.

The prices aren’t bad either, probably to match AMD’s Black Edition processors that feature high OC ceilings at affordable, more consumer-friendly prices. The i7-875K is priced at $342, while the i5-655K will sell for $216: good for people looking for more performance without having to spend top dollar on Intel’s extremely costly Extreme Edition processors.

Intel outs new low-power Atom Z600 chip for smartphones, smartbooks, and other smart stuff

Sean — Thu, 06 May 2010 09:16:20 +0000

Intel just introduced a new Atom processor, but this one ain’t for netbooks. Codenamed Moorestown, the Z600 is meant for use on smaller portable devices such as smartphones and slates, and is much more power efficient than it’s made-for-netbook brethren, touting a battery life that’s listed at around 4-5 hours for browsing over a cellular data network and video playback, but should last for over 10 days on standby.

It’s not your average smartphone processor though. The Z600 supports Intel’s Hyperthreading tech and a slight overclock mode that pushes the performance when extra computing power is needed. The chip also comes with an integrated GMA 600 graphics core that can handle OpenGL ES2.0 and hardware video acceleration, 720p video recording and 1080p HD playback.

Different mobile operating systems are supported, including Android, and the new chips will be clocked differently depending on what it’s going to run on: up to 1.5GHz chips for smartphones, and up to 1.9GHz on tablets and mobile internet devices.

There aren’t a lot of Intel Inside mobile devices right now, although a few are in the works, including an Android-based Aava Mobile phone and OpenPeak’s OpenTablet 7 due out later this year.

Intel updates Core i5, Pentium processor families

Sean — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 06:56:11 +0000

Intel has just launched two new updates along the Core i5 and dual core Pentium processor families that feature faster clock speeds. The new 32-nanometer Core i5-680 is a step up over the existing 3.46GHz Core i5-670 that comes with a faster 3.60GHz clock, while supporting Intel’s Hyperthreading and Turbo Boost technologies.

The new Core i5-680 still shares much of the 32nm Core i5’s features, including a relatively low 73W TDP (Thermal Design Power), 4MB cache, and integrated Intel HD graphics.

Intel’s new dual core Pentium line also gets a speed update with the 45nm 2.8GHz E5500. Built for more mainstream machines, the new Pentium chip falls just above the existing 2.7GHz E5400 processor, and features a 2.8GHz clock and 2MB L2 cache. It doesn’t come with Intel’s latest tech featured on the new Core family processors (such as Hyperthreading and Turbo Boost), but the new Pentiums come with a much more consumer-friendly price that makes them ideal for mainstream/budget notebooks and desktops.

Bulk prices for the new models start at $75 for the Pentium E5500 and $294 for the Core i5-680.

Specs for AMD’s upcoming six-core Phenom II X6 leaked

Sean — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 04:46:52 +0000

A couple of weeks after Intel unveiled the six-cored i7-880X Extreme Edition processor, a few leaks details specs for AMD’s upcoming hexa-cored consumer CPUs. Codenamed Thuban, the new chip is expected to be called the Phenom II X6, and will feature six cores on a 45nm die, 9MBs of total cache and will fit on motherboards with an AM3 socket. The specs (picked up from BIOS updates and CPU support lists released by Gigabyte) outline four X6 processor models that run from 2.6GHz and 2.8GHz, to a range-topping 3GHz. Expected to be named the Phenom II X6 1075T, the high-end model is still a bit short compared to Intel’s 3.33GHz Core i7, but we’re pretty sure this is going to be cheaper than Intel’s $999 i7-980X. Something to look forward to if you’re looking to build a six-core system on the (relatively) cheap.

Source: TechConnect

Intel intros six-core i7-980X Extreme Edition desktop processor

Sean — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:44:53 +0000

Intel has officially introduced what should be the brains behind tomorrow’s high-end gaming rigs called the Core i7-980X Extreme Edition. Intel’s first 32nm, six-core processor for consumer desktops, this new chip can handle 12 computing threads. It’s basically the fastest desktop processor on the planet—at least until they make a new one.

This bit of high-end performance news has been made during the ongoing Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, and gamers looking for the next big thing should take notice. Codenamed “Gulftown,” the new processor should be seen on the next wave of high-end gaming rigs from the usual high-end gaming rig players such as Alienware and Falcon Northwest.

The price for this sixer hasn’t been announced yet, but don’t expect it to be cheap; yesterday’s gaming darling, the quad-cored 3.33GHz Core i7 975 Extreme Edition chip retails for just under $1000. And that’s just for the processor.

Rumor: Intel prepping dual core Atom for netbooks?

Sean — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:19:43 +0000

There’s a rumor going around that Intel might be releasing a new dual core Atom for netbooks soon. Now, a dual core Atom isn’t exactly new since the Pine Trail Atom platform did come with the dual core N510 for low-power desktops, but this would be the first dual core Pine Trail Atom for netbooks if the rumors prove to be true. It’ll reportedly be called the N500, which is a logical step down from the N510 desktop Atom chip, but should still result in a low-power, low-heat chip that offers relatively long battery runtimes.

It’s still an Atom so you shouldn’t expect to to play Left4Dead on a netbook any time soon, but the two cores should at least help with multitasking and multi-thread apps. No word on a release or official announcement yet, but you might want to wait for this one if you’re looking to pick up a new netbook in the near future.

Source: Liliputing

Intel upgrades the Atom, intros 1.86GHz N470 chip

Sean — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:36:57 +0000

An Intel blog post just announced that the company will be expanding their Atom line of processors, with the introduction of the N470. It’s still the same Pine Trail chip aimed at netbooks, although the new processor number comes with a faster 1.83GHz clock—a step up compared to the existing 1.66GHz N450. Aside from the faster core clock, everything is still pretty much the same, with a 512k L2 cache size, DDR2-667 support, and, more importantly, the same 5.5W TDP that promises extended battery runtimes. We should see new netbooks running the faster 1.86GHz chip within the next few months.

AMD starts shipping new Phenom IIs, outs “fastest dual-core chip”

Sean — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 04:48:10 +0000

AMD has just released five new processors along their Phenom II and Athlon II lines, with a (pleasant) focus on more budget-friendly chips, highlighted by the Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition, touted as the fastest (or at least AMD’s fastest) dual-core processor with a 3.2GHz core frequency and a TDP (thermal design power) of only 80W—awesome on its own right, but the best part is it’s price: it’s listed to sell for only $99.

At $99, the 3.2GHz Athlon X2 555 BE is listed as AMD's fastest dual core processor

Since the Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition bears the “Black Edition” label, this also means that the processor’s CPU multiplier is unlocked, giving you more flexibility to overclock it for even faster performance. (Just make sure you know what you’re doing. It’s certainly relatively affordable at $99, but this is still something you;d hate to fry.)

The rest of the range includes the top-end Phenom II X4 910e, a quad core processor that packs a 2.6GHz core and a 65W TDP, and three new Athlon II chips that give buyers a nice balance between price and performance: the quad-core Athlon X4 635 sells for $119 and comes with a 2.9GHz core and a 95W TDP, the $84 X3 440 comes with three cores at 3.0GHz and a 95W TDP, and the X2 255, a 3.1GHz dual core with an efficient 65W TDP for $74.

All five chips will be made available on retail PC systems as well as stand-alone upgrades if you’re already running a system/motherboard with an AM2 or AM3 socket.