Intel Atom N270 socket: BGA 437
The Intel Atom N270 uses the BGA 437 socket. It is a 2.5 W single-core Diamondville soldered part at 1.6 GHz with Hyper-Threading and 512 KB of L2 cache for netbooks.
- Socket
- BGA 437
- Launched
- June 2008
- Cores and threads
- 1 and 2
- Base power
- 2.5 W
- Codename
- Diamondville
- Segment
- Mobile (soldered)
- Family
- Intel Atom
- Clocks
- 1.6 GHz
Intel Atom N270 specifications
| Cores | 1 |
|---|---|
| Threads | 2 |
| Core architecture | Diamondville cores on 45 nm |
| Clocks | 1.6 GHz (no turbo) |
| Cache | 512 KB L2 |
| Default TDP | 2.5 W |
| Manufacturing process | 45 nm |
| Memory support | DDR2 through the companion chipset |
| Front side bus | 533 MT/s |
| PCI Express | PCIe from the companion chipset |
| Integrated graphics | None (companion graphics where fitted) |
| Multiplier | Locked |
| Package | BGA 437-ball (22 × 22 mm) |
| Core voltage | 0.9 to 1.1625 V |
Motherboard compatibility
Intel Atom N270 needs a motherboard with a BGA 437 socket. Chipset by chipset data for this codename is not recorded yet. See the BGA 437 chipset list and the board maker's CPU support list.
BGA 437 at a glance
| Type | BGA, 437 contacts |
|---|---|
| Package size | 22 × 22 mm |
| Introduced | March 2009 |
| Memory | DDR2 single channel via the Poulsbo companion |
| Cooler mounting holes | Not applicable (soldered) |
What the Atom N270 is
The Intel Atom N270 is the classic netbook processor, a 1.6 GHz mobile single core with Hyper-Threading from June 3, 2008. It runs one Bonnell core at 1.6 GHz with no turbo, and Hyper-Threading gives 2 threads. Cache is 512 KB of L2 on a 45 nm process with 47 million transistors. Power is rated at 2.5 W on BGA 437.
The N270 is the volume Diamondville for netbooks, part SLB73 in stepping C0 at 0.9 to 1.1625 V with a locked 12x multiplier. It pairs a 533 MT/s bus with Intel 64 support for the low-cost Windows and Linux netbooks of 2008. The chip is soldered and cannot be replaced.
Socket and motherboard compatibility
The N270 ships soldered on BGA 437 netbook boards with a companion chipset, so there is no socket upgrade and no board swap without replacing the whole machine. Display and I/O come from the companion chipset. The Socket vs chipset: what decides whether a CPU works guide covers pairing rules.
Memory, PCIe and cooling
Memory is DDR2 through the companion chipset, with up to 4 GB addressable.
A 533 MT/s front side bus ties the CPU to the companion chipset. PCIe lanes hang off the chipset.
Cooling is the device maker heat spreader for the 2.5 W envelope, with Enhanced SpeedStep trimming draw at idle.
Upgrade paths
On BGA 437 there is no CPU upgrade path because the chip is soldered, so a faster machine means replacing the whole netbook. The Intel Atom N280 at 1.67 GHz is the faster netbook option, and the Intel Atom 230 at 1.6 GHz is the nettop equivalent.
Frequently asked questions
What socket does the Atom N270 use?
BGA 437, soldered, so it cannot be replaced or upgraded.
How many cores does the Atom N270 have?
One core and 2 threads at 1.6 GHz with 512 KB of L2 cache.
Can the Atom N270 be replaced?
No, the N270 is soldered on BGA 437 with no socket upgrade path.
Sources and verification
Facts last checked against these sources on . Page last edited on .