No DX10 support for Cedar Trail processors

Earlier this week Intel quietly launched two Cedar Trail processors with CedarView-D core for ULV desktops and nettops. Atom D2500 and D2700, both dual-core models, emerged in official price list, and they were added to ARK Intel product database. Intel also released (PDF file) datasheet and S-spec update for these Atoms. In addition to D2500 and D2700, the datasheet and S-spec update documents reference two "CedarView-M" N2600 and N2800 CPUs for mobile market. Both processors are not new, and they were expected to launch this month.

The CedarView-M processors have 2 cores with HyperThreading technology, and 512 KB level 2 cache per each core. Atom N2600 runs at 1.6 GHz, and has integrated GMA 3600 graphics controller clocked at 400 MHz. Atom N2800 has 1.86 GHz clock frequency, and it comes with GMA 3650 graphics, operating at 640 MHz. N2xxx- series processors have considerably lower power requirements than their "D" desktop counterparts. N2600 features 3.5 Watt Thermal Design Power, whereas N2800 has 6.5 Watt TDP. The microprocessors may be launched in November of this year, although that could depend on the state of CPU and graphics drivers.

Cedar Trail platform includes several enhancements, such as better 32nm technology, beefed up graphics, lower power consumption, support for DDR3 memory with higher data rates, and others. One of new new features of CedarView-D and CedarView-M CPUs was supposed to be support for DirectX 10.1. In August, VR-Zone reported that Cedar Trail Atoms will be released with DX9 support. We found information that confirms this report. Here is a scoop of what we learned about current state of Windows 7 graphics drivers:

• Cedar Trail processors currently use DirectX 9 (beta) Windows 7 graphics drivers.
• The final (non-beta) version of DirectX 9 drivers for 32-bit Windows 7 will be available in November.
• The final (non-beta) version of DirectX 9 drivers for 64-bit Windows 7 is going to be ready in December.
• DirectX 10 version of these drivers will not be released at all.

We can also confirm that support for Intel Smart Connect technology, and for the latest Wireless Display features will be ready in Q1 2012.