Any modern device capable of performing various calculations is equipped with a processor. Their range on the market is so large that it is very easy for an untrained user to get lost in the midst of a multitude of performance characteristics, sockets and additional instructions. How can one choose a reliable processor that can quickly cope with the tasks and at the same time guarantee a long and stable operation? This article is about the Intel Atom CPU N450.
Processors
The English IT segment has a definition of CPU, which means a central processing unit. It is responsible for executing machine instructions and is the most important part of a personal computer. The power of the system as a whole depends on the processor performance.
Key processor features include:
- clock frequency;
- performance;
- Energy consumption;
- type of technical process;
- architecture.
- The clock frequency characterizes the number of operations that the processor is capable of performing in one clock cycle. This parameter is used most often when describing this type of computing device.
- The performance parameter is quite controversial and sometimes can reflect the totality of all the features of the product, and sometimes show a specific value, expressed in flop / s.
- Energy consumption is one of the key parameters. It is he who, like no one else, influences the autonomy of work. The less a laptop or netbook consumes energy, the longer it can work. And this directly depends on the performance of the processor.
- The technical process. Does not directly affect the characteristics. However, it reflects how the processor is manufactured. Already on the basis of this, one can judge how long it was made. In fact, it shows that a larger area can accommodate more electronic components.
- Processor architecture. For personal computers, two types are mainly used - 32 and 64-bit. A large increase in the transition from a lower value to a larger one should not be expected. Indeed, something can be noticed only when working with databases or modeling tools.
Atom processor line
Intel's Atom processor family is built with energy efficiency in mind. These models are focused on portable devices for which energy costs are very critical. A prime example is newfangled netbooks. They are convenient to carry, they have a small screen size and an optimized energy efficiency system. They can do simple work, such as typing or surfing the Internet.
In 2012, Intel began production of Atoms using a single-chip system. That is, memory controllers and graphics adapters are now located on the same chip. This has significantly reduced the cost of installing individual components. As a result, there was a reduction in the cost of the final product.
Atom N450 processor: a brief overview
This CPU was a continuation of the Atom series . Intel Atom N450 was launched in 2010. On one chip are a DDR2 controller and an integrated GMA 3150 graphics card. Its power is enough to conduct optimal computing activity on nettops and netbooks. The existing graphics processor does a good job of watching video in the usual format, visiting web pages and office work. But with HD, editing graphics and simultaneously launching several programs, difficulties can arise. One of the significant advantages of the N450 is its very low power consumption.
Atom N450 Features
The processor's internal code name is PineView. Its technology involves the use of a single core with a frequency of 1.66 GHz. But this happens with the distribution of tasks into two threads. Atom N450 has a 512 Kb second-level cache. And the calculated power consumption does not exceed 5.5 watts.
The processor cannot boast the presence of Turbo Boost technology, although it is not so necessary on portable devices. Also, there is no ability to work with virtualization like VT-x. Hyper-Threading technology, as mentioned above, implements support for the kernel with two threads. This will be relevant in applications optimized for multithreading, the number of which is growing every year. It is possible to support a memory capacity of more than 4 GB due to the implementation of 64-bit architecture. The manufacturing process used in the production is 45 Nm.
Tests and comparison with the nearest analogues
The closest in kinship and characteristics can be considered the predecessor - Atom N270. At the same frequency, the Atom N450 is more profitable, but at the same time it is more expensive and consumes twice as much energy. But, as the tests say, this device has a much higher watt-to-performance ratio.
Interestingly, a performance comparison with the N2600, which uses two cores for operation, showed a significant loss for the Atom N450. The N2600 is manufactured using 32 Nm of technology, which means that a lot more transistors can be placed on the chip. At the same time, he has 4 threads in total, and the second-level cache is twice as large as the Atom CPU N450. But tests are tests, and they reflect the actual state of affairs, in isolation from the stated characteristics.
Comparison with AMD products
AMD and Intel are constantly waging an invisible war for user loyalty. This is expressed in the competition for the production of productive products. The closest in spirit are the processors from AMD C60, C50 and A4 1200.
AMD C60
C60 has two cores, unlike the Intel Atom N450 processor. Its memory controller is capable of operating at a frequency of 1066 and is of the DDR3 type. The cache level of the second level is two times higher. The frequency is slightly lower - from 1000 to 1333 MHz in the "Turbo" mode. Atom N450 has 1.66.
As a result, the potential frequency obtained during acceleration of the Atom N450 is higher than that of the C60, and can be 1.9 GHz. Atom is inferior in speed of reading data to its analogue from AMD - 38550 versus 25700 MB / s. The N450 is also unable to support virtualization, while a competitor does an excellent job of it. The C60 process is 5 NM less and more advanced. As a result - in most tests, the Atom N450 shows the worst result.
AMD C50
C50 is also a dual-core processor, which has the same memory controller as its counterpart. The frequency at 0.6 GHz is less than that of the N450. At the same time, the overall performance per watt is higher. C50 has 2 MB of cache in the second level, while 450 has only 512 KB. This greatly speeds up access to frequently used data. By the way, 450 also loses in their transmission speed - 32500 instead of 25700 MB / s. Virtualization is again available on this model. In general, the Atom N450 loses a bit here too.
AMD A4 1200
This processor is not of particular interest for overclocking, since its nominal frequency of 1 GHz will remain that way. Atom N450 has the potential for this. However, the 450 advantages over A4 end there.
It’s worth starting with the fact that there are two cores in the A4 1200. Each is able to work in dual-threaded mode. The size of the cache memory of the second level is higher and is 1 MB. The maximum power consumption is 4 watts, while the 450 - 5.5. The memory controller is of the DDR3 type, which means that this model is more technologically advanced and is capable of operating at a frequency of 1066 MHz. Also, the production process in 1200 is 1.5 times less. In this comparison, AMD A4 1200 is a clear favorite, which is confirmed by tests on popular calculations.
N450 Reviews
The availability of notebook models with a processor is plentiful. And the opinions of users are divided on a particular processor implementation in each device. Many of them note the inexpensive characteristics of the Intel Atom N450, which in aggregate affects the price of the entire laptop.
There is surprise about its performance. For example, users are pleased to have purchased a laptop with this processor. They assure that they bought it only for study, but they were pleasantly surprised when the Atom N450 and the integrated graphics adapter did an excellent job with old and unpretentious games.
From the general background of the reviews, it is clear that users in most cases purchase models of devices with the Atom N450 for the Internet and work with documents. And the device under consideration just with such tasks copes best.
A special line is worth noting the positive reviews on the battery life. After all, the Atom N450 is not picky about this parameter. Therefore, manufacturers do not need to install large capacity batteries on their devices, which ultimately translates into a lower cost of the product.
The owners note that laptops with this processor are able to work for 3-4 hours without recharging, even after several years of use. And if the manufacturer installed a high-capacity battery, that's all 8. The low price of the processor is also a key point when choosing a device for work and simple entertainment.
findings
After a detailed review of the Atom N450 processor, we can conclude that this product is focused on the budget segment of the market. Low power consumption allows the introduction of cheaper batteries, which reduces the final price of the product. The same factor makes it possible to use a laptop on the road and long trips, without worrying that he will sit down at the most inopportune moment.
Comparison with the closest competitors makes it clear that the processor is slightly behind AMD products, and at the same time overtakes its predecessors and brothers in production. This is also confirmed by tests conducted by several users. However, with all this, Intel fans will be able to see for themselves the reliability of the processor and its low power consumption.