AMD Rolls Out New Dual-Core Processors for Embedded Device Market

Sunnyvale, California-based Advanced Micro Devices has just announced the expansion of its processor portfolio with the introduction of two new, dual-core chips designed for the ASB1 BGA embedded client platform. Featuring a low TDP of just 18W, the new Turion Neo X2 model L625 and Athlon Neo X2 model L325 have been designed to provide PC-like performance in a smaller, lower-power package, like the embedded-friendly ball grid array (BGA) package.

“We are committed to helping simplify the development cycle for our embedded customers with a platform that readily addresses the shifting needs of their markets,” said Buddy Broeker, director, Embedded Computing Solutions Division, AMD. “Systems such as digital signage, point of sale, and thin clients require PC-class performance and a rich graphics experience. Our ASB1 BGA platform is a ready-to-go, one-stop solution for these markets and at the same time offers the flexibility of multiple CPU and chipset choices.”
The ASB1 BGA embedded client platform has been designed for single board computing and thin client systems, as well as for self-service kiosks, point of sale machines and digital signage. The newly introduced processors from AMD have been featured with a TDP of 18W and are rated at clock speeds of 1.6GHz for the Turion Neo X2 L625 and 1.5GHz for the Athlon Neo X2 L325. In addition, these two models are designed to be compatible the chip maker's 780E and M690E chipsets, providing for a complete x86-based solution.
“The rapid adoption of x86 processors in embedded designs, which is a trend that AMD helped spur in the high-end space, has largely been driven by the need to simplify designs and get them on the market more quickly,” said Eric Heikkila, director, Embedded Hardware and Systems analyst, VDC Research Group. “From the hardware perspective, AMD’s comprehensive platform approach offers mainstream performance, very low power consumption, and takes a lot of the guesswork out of the development process.”
According to the chip maker, its embedded products are offered with industry-standard 5-year component longevity.

Intel Intros New Power-Efficient Xeon L5530 Processor

Santa Clara, California-based Intel, the world's leading vendor of computer processors, has recently updated its line of high-performance Nehalem-based Xeon 5500 series of server processors with the addition of the new L5530, a low-power version of the chip maker's current flagship line, the aforementioned 5500-series. The new CPU has been designed to provide customers with a more energy-efficient alternative to the

company's high-performance server and workstation processors, featuring a TDP of 60W, down from the 80W featured on the regular Xeon 5500-series CPUs. In addition, Chipzilla also introduced a new workstation processor.
The new model, which has been recently leaked on the Internet in a news-story about the company's upcoming processor lineup, has been set to work at a core speed of 2.4GHz. Unlike the current Xeon 5500-series chips, which work at 80W TDP, the new L5530 has been featured with a TDP of 60W, increasing its energy efficiency and allowing for the development of cooler-running systems. However, at the core of the new processors lies the same architecture with four cores and 8MB cache, ready to provide customers with the necessary performance for running the latest applications.
Alongside the new low-power Xeon, Intel has also introduced new processors designed for workstation systems, namely the Xeon X5590 and the W3580 and W3550, designed for single-socket workstations. According to specifications, these new CPUs will provide users with clock frequencies of 3.33GHz for the dual-socket W5590 and the single-socket W3580, while the W3550 will boast a core speed of 3.06GHz.
The introduction of the new Xeon chips indicates that the world's leading chip maker is getting ready to announce the launch of its much-anticipated Lynnfield processors and the new P55 mainstream platform. This event is expected sometime early next month, providing users with a choice for a new desktop computer platform.

Atom Z-Series Rumors, '100% Inaccurate' Intel Says

Late last week there was a rumor that claimed Intel, the world's leading vendor of microprocessors, informed its customers that it had decided to stop accepting orders for its line of low-power Atom Z processors. The rumor continued by stating that several netbook vendors that had already placed their orders would receive said chips, but new orders would not be accepted. On that note, it appears that the rumor has recently

reached the ears of the Santa Clara, California-based chips maker, which has immediately rejected the claims.

Speculation initially started due to a news-article on Digitimes citing Taiwan sources that claimed Chipzilla told its OEM customers that it would stop accepting orders for the Atom Z series of processors. These parts were used in a couple of ultraportable netbook systems, like Sony Vaio P, which meant that these systems could soon get a hardware refresh or be phased out of the market.

Picking up the story, the fellows over at Register Hardware have gotten in touch with the Santa Clara, California-based chip maker, which has reportedly denied the aforementioned rumors. An Intel spokeswoman has told Register Hardware that “Rumours of ‘industry sources’ stating that Intel is no longer taking orders for Atom Z processors or ending production by end of year are 100% inaccurate.” The chip maker hasn't made any comments regarding the claim that the discontinued Atom Z-series will help it set a clearer boundary between netbooks and mobile Internet devices.

This is the second time in the recent days that a rumor about the company's product roadmap has been denied by the leading chip maker. Earlier this month, there were rumors (which Intel also denied) according to which its next-generation Pine Trail platform would be delayed until early 2010. We will try to keep you posted as soon as more details emerge.

Intel Reportedly Suspends Atom Z Series

Santa Clara, California-based Intel is said to have informed its customers that it will no longer accept orders for its Atom Z processors from netbook makers. The world's leading chip maker is said to be preparing to free its inventory of said parts, according to industry sources. Although these are currently rumors, it looks like the company wants to better distinguish the line between netbook processors and MID processors, as it prepares to launch its next-generation MID and netbook platforms, codenamed

Moorestown and Pine Trail, respectively.

According to a recent news-article on Digitimes, citing the never-restless industry sources, Intel has told its customers that it will no longer accept orders for its line of Atom Z processors. The company is expected to completely stop the supply of said chips to the netbook market, before the end of this year. The move, according to Digitimes sources, is justified by the chip maker's attempt to better define the line between CPUs targeting netbooks and those that are designed for Mobile Internet Devices. This will allow Intel to better position its products for two of the most active segments in the PC market.

The company will continue to ship the low-power Atom Z processors to those customers that have already ordered the parts. Such companies include names like Acer, ASUSTeK and Micro-Star International, all of which have been present on the netbook market since the early days. It's yet unclear how this move will impact Sony's ultraportable Vaio P, which is probably the most talked-about Atom Z-powered laptop on the market.

Netbook vendors that have built systems using said processor family will have to refresh their product lines with updated configurations of the low-power systems. This is also consistent with current rumors that the Vaio P will be getting a refresh in October.