Details are emerging of Intel's upcoming Pineview CPU, the next iteration of the popular Intel Atom chip found in almost all low-cost netbooks and nettop PCs. The Intel Atom 2 chip is expected to launch in the second half of this year.
There will be both a single core Intel Atom 2 and a more powerful dual-core chip aimed at low-power desktop PCs, or 'nettops'.
Pineview chips will be manufactured using a 45nm (nanometer) process, although Intel intends to move the Atom 2 chip to an even cheaper 32nm. According to reports 32nm Atom 2 processors will feature hyperthreading.
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According to ITProPortal unconfirmed sources are reporting that the Pineview CPUs will 'feature built-in Northbridge functions including a memory controller and an IGP (in effect a video card) which is likely to be a GMA950 with an increased core frequency'.
With the next iteration Intel is to increase the core frequency of Atom chips from a basic 1.4GHz to 1.8GHz. Also expect the Pineview platform to include four-layer PCB design and a silicon area physically reduced from 2174mm to 773mm.
