Dual-core Intel Atoms to enter mass production in July
Intel is planning to start the mass production of dual-core versions of its Atom processors in the second week of July, according to sources at PC makers. Intel’s first dual-core Atom will feature a core frequency of 1.6GHz and support Hyper-Threading-like technology allowing each core to process up to two instructions per clock cycle under certain circumstances. System TDP for the CPU and chipset combined will rise to 16W, from 12W for single-core versions. This will put pressure on the performance lead that the VIA Isaiah processor has shown in some benchmarks!
Since dual-core and single-core Atom processors are pin-compatible, single-core Atom platforms will only need a BIOS update to support the dual-core CPUs, the sources highlighted. However, PC makers are concerned the short gap between the launch of single-core and dual-core models could dampen the introduction of single-core Atoms and well as impact sales of traditional entry-level PC CPU platforms meaning PC makers will need to rethink their product lineups for the later half of the year.
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