Keep in mind that there are multiple families and architectures within the Atom processor family. In this article, we’re specifically focused on Moorestown and the Z-series, which is aimed at handhelds and tablets. There’s also the N-series for netbooks, the CE-series for TVs, D-series chips for entry-level desktops (D), an embedded series , and a future family “for gadgets” about which Intel wouldn’t even divulge a code-name. The ways in which these series differentiate are largely based on power profiles and performance expectations. We’re not to the point with Atom where one architecture, such as Core 2 or Core i3/5/7, applies to the entire stack. Perhaps it never will.
With Menlow, we had a platform architecture much like the classic PC design—a standalone CPU on top, with an integrated chipset below, similar to the old school northbridge and southbridge being combined into a single Platform Controller Hub (PCH). The Poulsbo chipset crammed in everything but the kitchen sink, and did it all on a relatively giant 130 nm fab process.
The architectural difference in jumping to Moorestown is massive. All that gets retained of the former chipset is the I/O complex. Memory, video, and graphics all migrate to the CPU—and not just in the package but on the actual die. Langwell uses a 65 nm process. Lincroft appears to match Silverthorne’s 45 nm process, but Intel is always careful to note that Lincroft uses a “45 nm SoC” process. It’s not the same process as before, or even a “retweaking” of it. Details here get vague.
While Intel maintains that the rest of the industry is still using 65 nm, Lincroft preserves Silverthorne’s 45 nm process. Recall that Intel’s 45 nm node was notable for its adoption of hafnium high-k dielectric technology, which got a lot of attention when it debuted in the Nehalem microarchitecture. Hafnium high-k, according to Intel, could reduce transistor-level gate leakage by over 100 times compared to the prior silicon dioxide dielectric process used with 65 nm technology. There’s more to Intel’s “LP SoC” process than hafnium, though, but engineers grew cryptic on this point. They stated that with Lincroft there was the “option of multiple transistors” as opposed to Silverthorne having “only one transistor end to end.” Then there were some furtive glances between the engineers and the press crew, and Intel would say no more on the matter. I suppose everyone is entitled to their hard-earned secret sauce.
The dimensional upshot of the Moorestown architecture is that we now have a 30% die reduction, a 40% package reduction, and a 50% motherboard reduction, reflecting significant consolidation across the platform. You’ll often see the Moorestown CPU package specified at 13.8 mm x 13.8 mm (Silverthorne was 25 mm2), but the actual die measures only 7.34 mm x 8.89 mm. One former Menlow reference design for handsets measured 75 x 148 mm. An equivalent Moorestown reference board I saw measured 69 x 130 mm, and that was with over one-third of the board surface sitting empty for an on-board battery.
- Intel’s Ultramobile Future Arrives
- Little, Less, And Loving It
- Checking Checkboxes
- The Moorestown Breakdown
- Platform And Process
- Processor Power
- New Power States
- Graphics And Video
- Display And Memory
- Langwell Platform Controller Hub MP20
- Briertown Mixed Signal IC
- The Experience
- Why Moorestown Matters


Man, and I just got the HTC Incredible...
And so the march of technology continues!
Time to market. 45 nm was quicker for development and it accomplished what needed to get done at this time. That's the official answer. Unofficially, sure, we all know 32 nm will help, but this is business for consumers. Right or wrong, you don't play all of your cards right away.
I like the Atom, but not in this role. x86 adds inefficiencies that aren't balanced by a need for compatibility in this market.
I was considering buying a Sony Satio, but now I may rethink it.
1366x768 multi-touch S-AMOLED, magnesium case, 802.11 b/g/n, 3G/4G, miniDP, miniHDMI, miniDVI, microUSB, 64GB high quality flash memory, 12MP main camera with a 5MP front facing camera, a new turbo boost that pumps cocaine into the chip until it gets too hot when the performance is needed but puts the chip to sleep in idle, and a Linux based OS specifically tailored to the chip. Sounds like something I would pay a lot for. Complete desktop PC replacement.
Don't disappoint me Intel. I was hoping for 32nm 8 core LGA 1366 chips by now when I originally bought my i7 system, and you already disappointed me.
Now only if 5GB/month on 3G didn't cost $85/month in my area, never mind the texting/calling plan.
I charge my phone once every week, i would be pretty angry if it didnt hold a charge longer than 48 hours.
I also don't see the use of all these MIDs. I hardly even take my laptop out because I have a desktop and other then movement there is nothing the laptop can do that I wouldn't rather use my desktop for.
MIDs might be ok if they didn't cost an extra $30-50 a month to get access to the internet which I'm already paying $30-50 a month for for my general usage. They might start making sense when someone like Qwest starts included DSL and wireless together for a single reasonable monthly fee so I'm not paying twice for the same thing.
And unless you absolutely have to know the instant you get an email, and can't go more then a few hours without updating your facebook page, I don't see a daily usage for mobile internet. I probably don't think "boy it would be nice if I could check the internet while I'm out" more then once every couple months.
Good luck holding a car in your hands!
Anyhow, the article seems mighty detailed compared to what we're used to here. Usually only don writes anything this detailed.
Nice read, though imo the first page looks very much like a bought article.
Anyway beside the progress in the mobile and ultramobile sector I picture in the not so distant future an ultramobile CPU with memory and graphics and storage system the size of a phone in a modular and stackable design and you will have some very serious and scalable mobile supercomputing power. But will mobile form factor CPUs ever going to surpass the need for a desktop machine? Has the computing revolution started from the bottom up and I just noticed?