Will support DDR3 memory

Apr 8, 2010 10:50 GMT  ·  By
Intel plans to refresh its Atom and CULV lines in the second and third quarters
   Intel plans to refresh its Atom and CULV lines in the second and third quarters

Amidst processing, graphical, connectivity, storage and memory advancements, Intel's partners are becoming more and more interested in one or more lines of entry-level mobile CPUs that will be able to raise the performance bar on netbooks and ultrathin laptops. Currently, the feature that such partners want to see most is support for DDR3 memory. In response to this desire, the Santa Clara company has already started work on a new dual-core CPU and, to make sure the new processing refresh is complete, it will also release a faster single-core version of its netbook offer, known as the Atom D425, as well as the so-called CULV V2 (second version).

The Atom D425 will reportedly be a single-core processor that will appease the netbook maker's desire for DDR3 compatibility. Other than this, the chip will have a higher clock speed, namely of 1.8Ghz, 512kB of cache memory and integrated graphics. Unfortunately, there will be no support for the Turbo Boost technology, but the new part still has something to brag about, namely its ability to operate at the same TDP of 10W as the Atom D410, which only reaches 1.66Ghz.

For the ultrathin market, Intel will release a new dual-core CULV (Consumer Ultra Low Voltage) chip known as the Celeron U3400, as part of the Calpella platform. This unit will support DDR3 800MHz memory, will have 2MB of cache and a frequency of 1.06GHz.

Furthermore, being based on the 32nm Arrandale core, it will have its own integrated graphics with a base clock of 166MHz, overclockable to 500MHz. Unfortunately, being a Celeron, this CPU will lack the Turbo Boost technology, like the Atom D425, although this drawback may be offset, at least in part, by the TDP of 18W.

The Atom D425 will be launched in Q2, whereas the CULV is set for the third quarter. The report also hints at possibly faster Atoms in Q4, but there is no confirmation as of yet.