Intel Atom Z2560: an excellent processor for mid-range mobile devices

Central processing unit Intel ATOM Z2560 Is designed for use in mobile mid-level devices. Its parameters allow solving almost any problem. The only exception in this regard is the most recent three-dimensional toys, which require more serious hardware. In all other cases, the Z2560 is more than enough to comfortably launch any application.

Technical specifications

The Intel ATOM Z2560 includes only 2 compute units. But at the same time in this silicon crystal one useful technology is realized from Intel, which is called HyperTrading. Its essence lies in the fact that with the help of an insignificant increase in transistors on a semiconductor crystal of the CPU, one computational module at the program level processes information already in 2 program data streams. As a result, the operating system sees the Z2560 no longer as a dual-core solution, but as a full-fledged quad-core processor. The memory controller is included in the semiconductor chip of the CPU. It is dual-channel and can work with LPDDR2 - 1066 modules. The maximum amount of addressable RAM in this case is 2 GB. For mobile devices of the middle level this is quite enough. This chip was part of the mobile platform CoverTrail and was aimed at wiring to the BGA760 processor connector.

The heart of the graphics subsystem

There is also an integrated graphics accelerator in the Intel ATOM Z2560. Overview Technical characteristics of this semiconductor solution indicates the presence of PowerVR SGX544MP2. The clock frequency of this accelerator is 400 MHz. It is manufactured according to the norms of 22nm process technology and is integrated directly into the semiconductor crystal of the central processing unit. Of course, it can not boast of phenomenal performance, but it is enough to solve its initial and intermediate tasks. At the same time, the computing load, which comes from the side of the displayed images on the screen, is minimal on the central processor . Due to this, overall, the performance of the mobile system as a whole is increasing.

Clock frequencies

The minimum frequency is 800 MHz for the Intel ATOM Z2560. Characteristics of the operating modes of the CPU indicate that in this mode it functions either when solving fairly simple problems or in the case of a silicon crystal overheating when very demanding tasks are implemented in order to avoid possible overheating. To solve medium-level tasks, the clock frequency of this chip automatically rises to 933MHz. Well, if you need to perform calculations in the most productive mode, the clock speed of this central processing unit automatically increases to 1.6 GHz.

Memory cache

Processor Intel ATOM Z2560, in contrast to their desktop counterparts with 3 levels of cache memory, is equipped with only 2 levels of this effective tool to increase the speed of the computer system. The total cache size of the first level in this case is 112 kb. It is divided physically into 2 equal parts of 56 kb. Each of them is tied to a certain computing resource. In turn, these 56 kb are divided into 32 kb for storing the instructions of the chip and for 24 kb for storing the processed data. The total cache size of the second level is 1 MB. It is also divided into 2 parts of 512 kb, which are assigned to a certain computational core of the CPU. This organization of fast cache memory ultimately allows to significantly increase the speed of the central processing unit.

Tolerance standards for the production of a semiconductor crystal. Maximum temperature

The silicon crystal Intel ATOM Z2560 was produced at the tolerance of 32 nm. At the time of its release, this process technology for mobile chips was one of the most advanced. Now it is obsolete. But if you take into account that the most advanced chips from AMD are manufactured using this technology, you can safely say that it is still relevant at the moment. Among other features of the 32 nm process technology, it can be noted that from the position of the heat sink it is the best. It was during the production of such chips that Intel used the first-class thermal paste under the CPU cover, and this ensured the best cooling of the processor. The maximum permissible temperature for this model of the central processing unit is 90 ⁰ C. In combination with a passive cooling system and when solving medium-level problems, its temperature could reach 60 ⁰ С -65 ⁰ С. That is, a certain margin of safety for this CPU from the position The maximum temperature is exactly.

The price of mobile devices and reviews about them

A lot of mobile devices from "ASUS" use as a computing basis Intel ATOM Z2560. Reviews in this regard, highlight the smartphones Zenfone 2, 5, 6 and the tablet MeMOPAD FHD 10. All these gadgets are focused on the niche of medium-speed mobile devices. The cost of most of them does not exceed 10,000 rubles. The responses of the owners highlight their stable and reliable work. Also, they note a high degree of energy efficiency and autonomy. The only downside is the inability to launch the most demanding applications. But this is no longer a problem for this group of devices, but for the entire niche on which this CPU is oriented. For something more, you need to buy more expensive devices with more productive chips.

Results

Another balanced both from the point of view of performance and from the point of view of energy efficiency is the Intel ATOM Z2560. This chip, although it was and was released in 2013, still remains relevant in the niche of mid-range mobile solutions even now. He is still able to easily cope with most tasks.