Intel Atom E645C

The Intel Atom E645C is a mobile processor from Intel's Atom family, built on the Stellarton architecture. It operates with a single physical core and two threads, running at a base clock of 1000 MHz. The chip is fabricated on a 45 nm process node, integrating 47 million transistors on a 26 mm² die. Released in November 2010, this part is now end-of-life. With a TDP of just 4 watts, it targets ultra-low-power embedded and mobile applications. The database records a percentile rank of 50 against all CPUs, but its average benchmark score is 0, indicating no measured performance data is available. The processor's part number is SLH9Y, and it uses the Intel BGA 1466 socket.

How It Compares

The FACT PACK lists no nearest rivals for the Intel Atom E645C. This absence is notable because it means the database has no direct comparison points for this processor. The nearestRivals field is empty, so there are no deltaPct values or rival names to reference. The percentile rank of 50 places it exactly at the median of all CPUs tracked in the database, but this rank is based on a null benchmark score. Without rival scores, the data cannot establish relative performance deltas. The 50th percentile suggests a theoretical middle-of-the-road position, yet the zero average benchmark score implies that this ranking is not derived from actual test runs. In practical terms, the lack of rivals means any comparison must rely on the raw specifications provided. The processor's single core and 1000 MHz clock are the only reference points for positioning it against other parts, and those specs place it firmly in the low-power, low-performance segment. The database's empty nearestRivals field confirms that no direct head-to-head analysis is possible for this end-of-life mobile chip. Given its release in November 2010, it predates many modern processors, and the lack of benchmark data suggests it was never widely tested in this database.

Power and Thermals

The TDP is 4 watts. This is an exceptionally low power envelope, even for an Atom processor. For cooling, this implies a passive or fanless solution is entirely feasible. The 45 nm process node and the small die size of 26 mm² contribute to this efficiency. With a transistor count of 47 million, the design is minimal. The low TDP means that thermal management is trivial; a simple heatsink or even the chassis itself can dissipate the heat. In mobile or embedded contexts, this allows for fanless, silent operation. The absence of a boost clock further ensures that power draw remains constant at the base 1000 MHz. The data shows that this processor is designed for environments where power consumption is the primary constraint, not performance. A 4W TDP also means that system designers can use smaller power supplies and simpler thermal solutions, reducing overall system cost and size. The lack of a boost clock means there is no transient thermal spike, so cooling can be sized for steady-state operation only. The 45 nm process node is relatively old by modern standards, but at this low power level, it still produces negligible heat. The 26 mm² die size is tiny, allowing for compact board layouts.

Benchmark Performance

The average benchmark score is 0. This is a null value, indicating that no benchmark results have been recorded for this processor in the database. Consequently, the percentile rank of 50 is a placeholder rather than a measured performance indicator. Without scores, performance must be inferred from the hardware specification. The single core running at 1000 MHz, with 64 KB of L1 cache and 512 KB of L2 cache per core, sets a low ceiling for computational throughput. The absence of a boost clock means the processor never exceeds 1000 MHz. In single-threaded tasks, the low clock speed will limit responsiveness. In multi-threaded tasks, the two threads (via hyper-threading) provide a modest improvement over a single thread, but the underlying core count of 1 restricts scaling. The benchmark data does not offer any deltas to compare, so the practical performance is defined by these specifications. The 50th percentile rank, while not based on real scores, suggests that the processor sits in the middle of the distribution, but that distribution includes many far more capable processors. The zero score is a clear indicator that this chip has not been subjected to standard benchmark suites, likely due to its niche embedded market. The 64 KB L1 cache is per core, and the 512 KB L2 cache is also per core, which is small by modern standards. This means that data locality is poor, and frequent memory accesses to DDR2 memory will stall the pipeline.

Platform and Compatibility

The processor uses the Intel BGA 1466 socket, which is a ball-grid array package. This is a soldered connection, meaning the processor is not user-replaceable or upgradeable. The memory support is limited to DDR2, and ECC memory is not supported. The integrated graphics are provided by the GMA 600. The market segment is Mobile, and the production status is end-of-life. The release date is November 2010. The processor does not list any PCIe support in the FACT PACK, indicating that expansion capabilities are absent or minimal. The upgrade path is effectively non-existent due to the BGA socket. The platform is designed for embedded or low-cost mobile devices where longevity and performance are not primary concerns. The lack of ECC memory support further limits its use in error-sensitive server or storage environments. The DDR2 memory support is an older standard, which may limit the availability of compatible memory modules in modern systems. The integrated GMA 600 graphics are basic and suitable only for simple display output. The socket being BGA 1466 means that the motherboard must be designed around this specific chip, with no option for swapping to a different processor. The end-of-life status means that Intel no longer produces this part, so replacements must be sourced from existing stock.

Who Should Consider It

Given the single core, 1000 MHz clock, and 4W TDP, this processor is suited for basic, low-power tasks. It is not appropriate for gaming, as the GMA 600 integrated graphics are not designed for 3D workloads. Content creation is out of the question due to the lack of cores and low clock speed. Office applications that involve simple text editing or spreadsheet work might run, but the 64 KB L1 and 512 KB L2 caches limit multitasking. The average benchmark score of 0 means there is no quantitative evidence of performance, but the hardware specification suggests it is for embedded controllers, thin clients, or industrial automation where reliability and power efficiency outweigh speed. The 50th percentile rank, while not based on real scores, hints that it sits in the middle of the distribution, but that distribution includes many far more capable processors. Buyers looking for a processor for a lightweight, fanless device such as a network appliance or a simple point-of-sale terminal might find the 4W TDP attractive. However, the end-of-life status means that new designs should consider alternative parts. The lack of a boost clock and the single core make it unsuitable for any workload that requires responsiveness or parallel processing. For basic data logging or simple control tasks, the 1000 MHz clock is sufficient, but it will struggle with any modern operating system that demands background processes.

Single-Thread vs Multi-Thread Behavior

The processor has 1 core and 2 threads. This is a classic hyper-threading configuration. The base clock is 1000 MHz, with no boost. Single-thread performance is directly tied to that 1000 MHz clock. The L1 cache is 64 KB per core, and L2 is 512 KB per core. With only one core, multi-thread workloads rely entirely on the two threads. The theoretical gain from hyper-threading is typically modest, but the database provides no percentage to quantify it. The data shows that multi-thread scaling is limited by the single physical core. Real-world applications that are heavily multi-threaded will see no benefit beyond the second thread. Conversely, single-threaded tasks are constrained by the low clock speed. The split between single-thread and multi-thread behavior is therefore not a matter of architectural advantage, but a reflection of the extremely limited resources. The 1000 MHz clock is the single most important factor for both. The small cache sizes further restrict performance, as data must be fetched from the slower DDR2 memory more frequently. In single-threaded scenarios, the processor can dedicate the entire L2 cache to one thread, but the low clock speed still caps throughput. In multi-threaded scenarios, the two threads share the same core and the same L2 cache, so contention for execution units and cache bandwidth will limit any gains. The absence of a boost clock means there is no headroom for temporary performance increases.