Intel’s dual-core Atom 330 is aimed at low-cost desktop computers called “nettops” built for specialized tasks like Web usage. Intel expects the Atom 330 to boost the number of PCs per household. Intel expects netbooks to drive sales this year, but wants the Atom 330 to blaze a new market in 2009. On Friday, Intel officially began shipping its 45 nm Intel Atom Processor 330, Intel’s first Atom processor to feature dual-cores. With a 1.6 GHz clock-speed, 1 MB of L2 cache and support for DDR2 667, the Atom 330 looks like Intel just combined two Atom 230 processors. The added core does double the processor’s TDP unfortunately, an increase from 4 W to 8 W.
At 8W, it draws four times more power than the single-core 1.6GHz Atom chip currently in use by netbooks. Considering that few of these systems are able to break the five-hour mark, a dual-core Atom netbook will either have abysmal battery life or require a huge battery.The Atom 330 will be available as an integrated part of the new Intel D945GCLF2 desktop motherboard, which features the Intel 945GC Express Chipset, Intel GMA 950 integrated graphics and a 533 MHz system bus.The Intel D945GCLF2 motherboard also offers a S-Video connector, gigabit Ethernet, 6-channel high definition audio and a single DIMM socket supporting up to 2 GB of DDR2 667/533 memory
