Next-gen Atom benchmarks show big boost for GPU

Not much change to the CPU's abilities, mind

By Tony Smith, 30th August 2011

Netbooks based on Intel's upcoming 'Cedar Trail' Atom CPUs - the N2600 and N2800 - may not show a big processing performance leap over their predecessors, but they will sport smart graphics core.

So say benchmark tests carried out on the new Atoms for VRZone by erstwhile Reg Hardware Reviews Ed Lars-Goran Nilsson.

3DMark 06 data shows the 1.83GHz N2800 outperforming a 1.66GHz N455 and a 1.66GHz N570 by three to one. The 1.60GHz N2600 is almost twice as powerful, graphically speaking, as the N455 and N570.

CPU tests in both 3DMark 06 and PCMark05 show the new chips' number crunching abilities are only marginally better than those of older Atoms.

The N2600 and N570 are pretty much equal, give or take, both ahead of the N455. The N2800 is slightly faster, but not so much as its 14 per cent higher clock speed might suggest.

Battery life is likely to match that of current N570-based netbooks.

Intel hasn't formally launched the new Atoms, which were thought to debut in September though may have been delayed. The N2600 and N2800 are not now expected to arrive until later in the year. ®

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COMMENTS

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Highly Rated

Posted Tuesday 30th August 2011 13:10 GMT

Michael Duke

Not a big surprise.....

A 4 year old child with a pack of crayons has more graphics horsepower than the current Atoms.

The GMA950 struggles with 2D rendering and its 3D performance hardly counts with anything more demanding than a browser or basic flash content.

Posted Tuesday 30th August 2011 11:46 GMT

James 51

sounds like they are copying amd

The fusion products have suited netbooks well. What's intel's excuse for not improving raw performance though? Worried that it would eat into more profitable business?

Posted Wednesday 31st August 2011 19:58 GMT

Shades

That's odd...

... I'm pretty sure my Atom based NC10 Netbook is currently rendering a complex comp in After Effects while I'm listening to MP3s and typing this. Yes, I know its not as fast as a full blown desktop, I knew that when I got it, but its massively convenient and literally goes every I go.

The NC10 is also not below some pretty heavy online sessions of (the admittedly old, but still very much active) Unreal Tournament with everything turned up full and with TeamSpeak running... even when tethered wirelessly to my phone!

My netbook has even been used to DJ with in nightclubs/bars, with a hardware controller, controlling intelligent lighting rigs and providing video for the clubs/bars screens... sometimes all remotely controlled via VNC on my phone, great for when nature calls or you want a drink.

So what were you saying about the Atom?

I'm willing to bet the only Netbooks you've used are ones loaded with shedloads of cruft, dragging them down to the point of uselessness! I know someone with another Samsung netbook who has a ridiculous amount of unnecessary "helper" services running in the system tray and an (IE) browser window literally half filled with dodgy toolbar addons. You can imagine what the rest of the machine was like... I gave up trying to advise the owner of that particular machine!