The Atom is a processor of low consumption of Intel turned to the markets for notebook and mobile devices with internet access. In this tutorial explore the main technical specifications and list all the models already launched this processor.

There are two versions of the Atom processor. Atom series of 2xx, 3xx and N2xx - codenamed "Diamondville" - is toward the market for notebooks and desktops compact low-power (since they use Intel chipsets of 945 series, which are bigger and use two chips), while the Atom series Z5xx - codenamed "Silverthorne" - is toward the market of mobile devices with Internet access, not only because a new chipset called USA US15W, which is much smaller and USA just a chip, but also because the processors Atom Z5xx are physically smaller than the earlier Atom processors (14 x 13 mm against 22 x 22 mm). The pinagens are also different, with a series Z5xx USA standard 441-pin 437-pin against the other series.

The Atom is based on a microarchitecture of different currently used in other processors (Core architecture) but containing the same set of instructions in x86 processors in the Core architecture (Core 2 Duo, for example). A major difference between the Atom microarchitecture for processors used in PCs today is that it runs microinstruções in order, as it was until the first Pentium and not out of order, like the Pentium Pro, Pentium II and higher. This was done in order to reduce the consumption of the processor, since the components necessary to send and control microinstruções to be executed could be removed. The Atom is able to decode two instructions per clock pulse. For more details about its architecture, read our article Inside the Architecture of the Atom.

The Atom processors have 32 KB of L1 instruction cache, 24 KB of L1 data cache and an L2 cache of 512 KB (1 MB in the model with two cores). They do not have an integrated memory controller, and therefore the types and capacities of memory are defined by the chipset and not the processor.

Most models of the Atom supports hyperthreading technology, which is the ability to use idle processor units to form a virtual second processor, making the operating system view each core processor as two processors (two "threads" in industry jargon) despite only a nucleus be physically present. Of course, this technique is less efficient than having two processing cores true, but this "core" extra - and consequently the extra performance - you get free.

Another important detail is the fact that the Atom processor does not have the Enhanced SpeedStep technology or any other that allows their clock down if the processor is idle. Thus, he always works with the same clock fixed.

The main features of the Atom processor are:

• Full compatibility with the x86 instruction set, meaning that it can directly run programs and operating systems for PCs Several other processors towards the market of mobile devices have set of instructions owner.
• One or two processing cores.
• Very low thermal dissipation (TDP), between 0.65 W and 4 W in the model of a nucleus.
• Hyperthreading technology (except model Z510).
• Virtualization Technology.
• Intel EM64T Technology in Models 230 and 330.
• Execute Disable.
• SSE3 instruction set.
• External clock of 400 MHz or 533 MHz (100 MHz or 133 MHz transferring four data per clock pulse).
• Internal data path of 128 bits ( "Digital Media Boost").
• 32 KB of L1 instruction cache and 24 KB of L1 data cache per core.
• 512 KB of L2 cache (1 MB in the model 330, two cores).
• Dynamic cache size: the ability to turn off portions of the cache memory when the processor enters the power-saving modes C4 or C4E (not available in Atom models 2xx and 3xx).
• Manufactured with 45-nm technology.
• You can work in conjunction with a mobile class chipset Intel 945 (Atom models 2xx, 3xx and Nxxx) or with an Intel chipset US15W "Poulsbo" (Atom models Z5xx). Models 2xx, 3xx and Nxxx are geared to the market for notebooks, while Z5xx models are geared to the market of mobile devices with internet access.
• 437-pin (models "Diamondville", ie, 2xx, 3xx and Nxxx) or 441-pin (models "Silverthorne", ie Z5xx).

We now see the models of the Atom launched to date.

Models