Intel pushes Atom into storage realm

The 425 and 525 Atom chips build on a NAS platform launched in March

Intel has released two versions of its Atom processors aimed at small office and home office storage systems.

The single-core 425 and dual-core 525 chips offer improved performance and better connectivity for backup platforms such as Windows Home Server and Linux, the company said.

The chips also offer support for DDR3 SODIMM memory modules, and the 82801 I/O module.

Intel explained that the chips build on a network-attached storage platform launched in March with the release of the D410 and D510 processor models.

"The versatile Atom processor is at the heart of a growing variety of small, innovative, internet-connected devices," said Dinesh Rao, storage group product line manager at Intel.

"This makes it possible for storage vendors to develop low-power appliances that can innocuously sit on a desk or shelf while keeping digital content safe and available anytime, anywhere."

Parks Associates analyst Pietro Macchiarella told V3.co.uk that the move underlines a growth of the Atom platform that he expects to hit 18 million units by 2014.

"Intel has found a way of extending the target market for its Atom chips beyond netbooks," he said. "Mobile processors like the Atom play an important role in increasing the efficiency and affordability of storage devices."

However, Intel may have a new challenger in the semiconductor space. A low-power datacentre processor firm by the name of Smooth-Stone has won $48m (£30) in funding from ARM and Texas Instruments in a bid to break into the market.