Intel's Atom Processor Compared to 68 CPUs in Bench

Anandtech ^ | May 20th, 2009 | Anand Lal Shimpi

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

A few months ago I launched something we quickly titled "Bench". The idea behind AnandTech Bench is that it's a publicly accessible version of the database of benchmarks we've run internally.  You can currently compare 34 AMD CPUs and 36 Intel CPUs in the engine across 18 benchmarks.  I'm working on adding power data as well.

You can access Bench at its own URL: http://www.anandtech.com/bench  

Currently Bench only has CPU data in it but there are plans to expand it to storage and GPUs in the future, the former being far easier than the latter due to constantly changing drivers. The data used in bench is the same data used in our reviews, but it has to be entered in manually after a new CPU launches. If you ever see a chip get reviewed on AT but don't see its data in Bench, drop me a line and I'll make sure it gets in there. 

Today I added in data for the Atom 230 and 330 processors using Intel's D945GCLF and D945GCLF2 motherboards so you can see exactly how both single and dual-core Atom stack up to modern day desktop microprocessors. 

[lormand]

I’m interested in seeing the power data. How much more power, if any, does it require?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Trying this out...interactive chart comparison.....

here

For two specific AMD processors.

[aft_lizard]

Not surprising where they rank, they are based off of 8 year old technology after all. Which is why I am holding out for AMD’s answer which will hopefully sacrifice a little battery for 64 bit(which will be great for Windows 7)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Power for a specific processor should be available in the specific processor review...at least since power requirements have become an item of interest for potential buyers...

[Zathras]

Atom's primary advantage is cost and low power.
Intel can build 4 Atom processors for 1 Core 2 Duo.
Power is less than 2W depending on the options.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I think the title may be somewhat misleading...the link to the interactive menu to set up the inquiry allows for comparison across all the tests they ran for two specific processors that you choose.....

OR you can choose a specific test and view a ranking from the best performer on that test down to the slowest...where you will find the Intel Atom processor...

Pretty slick....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I have not looked thru this but might be in this review:

ASUS Eee Box Preview & Intel's Atom Benchmarked

[smokingfrog]

Definitely no powerhouse but good for what it does. I have an ASUS eeePC which works quite well considering its' size and weight. The sound is not too good though.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Another Review ...Tom's Hardware:

Atom Benchmarked: 4W Of Performance

[Lx]

Atoms are 32 bit? I would think that after the spanking AMD gave Intel that forced them to make the X86 a 64 bit version and also abandon the unloved and problematic Itanium, they would make only 64 bit chips going forward. Except for maybe embedded apps???

Anyone know the scoop?

[ShadowAce]

[aft_lizard]

Just the netbook ones, which is all that really matters since the desktop ones aren’t that popular. But yes the net book ones have the 64 bit extensions disabled and they are somewhere between the P5 and P6 in power and architecture.AMD wants to release a low power(1-2 watts I believe) version of their Athlon, and Athlon 64 chips which if they can will spank the Atom. I do have a feeling though that Intel will have an answer, and fast, if AMD does that.

[ken in texas]

I'll try to follow up more on this later... but how do these benchmarks compare to those already in existence? For example, the SPEC stuff.

Are we reinventing the wheel?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

From the article linked at post #10....note the date is...07/29/2008

Not sure...but I think there has been additional announcements from Intel regarding the Atom Processor since July 2008.

The technology used in the Atom is known as “in order micro-architecture” and supports both 32 bit and 64 bit applications.

Also...

There are currently three different types of Atom processor available: the Z5 series for Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs), the N270 for cheaper notebooks (Netbooks) and the 230 for embedded desktop boards (Nettops).

Not sure when Intel announced this addition...but here is the link to their website :

Intel® Atom™ Processor Z530 (512K Cache, 1.60 GHz, 533 MHz FSB)

I see a 230 and 330 in the
SYSMark 2007 - Overall

But NO 530....

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Since much of the discussion seems to have the Atom as an item of interest....found this very recent article at Anantech:

Intel Unveils Next-Generation Atom Details

************************************EXCERPT*******************************

Date: May 19th, 2009

Today Intel unveiled a few details about its next-generation Atom platform for netbooks and nettops. The current Atom platform for netbooks/nettops is composed of three chips: the Intel Atom processor, Intel’s 945GC GMCH and the ICH7 I/O hub. The UMPC version of the Atom platform is a two chip solution that uses the US15 chipset in addition to the Atom processor.

Let’s first start with breaking down the codenames. The new Atom platform for netbooks/nettops is called Pine Trail. Pine Trail refers to the combination of CPU and chipset.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Lot's of different sets of benchmarks....these guys do some good ones...especially for the gaming enthusiasts

HardOCP

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #16...Intel is planning a Follow-on.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Look what I found....the Intel specs for the numerous models (currently 11 ) of the Atom including the Cpu power requirements....on their Website:

Products (Formerly Silverthorne)

But the separate additional chips take more power... not sure where you go to find those....additional power requirements....

[antiRepublicrat]

Atom's primary advantage is cost and low power.

It's primary advantage is that you can run Windows on it. ARM processors already give decent performance at low cost and power consumption.